ENSCHEDE, August 7, 2017 – Two days Jodie Taylor willprobably not forget in a hurry: July 19 and August 6.
Not even 60 minutes had been played on that July nightduring England’s opening match at UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 as she left the pitchto a standing ovation.
Taylor had just scored a hatrick and dismantled auldenemy Scotland almost on her own.
Three weeks later the 31-year-old was confirmed as winnerof the golden boot.
Taylor's five goals, three scored against Scotland andone each against Spain and France, Taylor won the trophy for the best goalscorer at Women’s Euro. She was the first English player to earn the award,even if she just missed matching the record of Germany's Inka Grings, whoscored six times at the Women’s Euro in 2009.
Ranks two and three in the scorers list were claimed bytwo of the new champions' stars. The 21-yearold Vivianne Miedema received thesilver boot for her four goals in six games followed by teammate Lieke Martens(three goals and two assists)- who was also named player of the tournament.
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Together with Sherida Spitse the duo formed a ‘magictrio’ which offered a guarantee of success. Apart from the opening game againstNorway they never stayed goalless and demonstrated their abilities rightthrough to the final. In the 4-2 win over Denmark Miedema scored the crucialequalizer before Martens, Spitse and Miedema again decided the match.
Away from the final, the honour for the most effectivegoal scorer was claimed by Italian Daniela Sabatino. The forward of ACF Bresciaspent only 83 minutes on the pitch, but scored twice - goals which earned Italytheir single group win over Sweden.
