Ukraine are on the verge of their first ever UEFA European Women's Championship finals after victory against Denmark.

Apanaschenko winner
Both these sides had won all their Group 5 matches, Denmark one more than their opponents with six, making their two outstanding encounters effective deciders for who will qualify automatically for next summer's finals in Finland and who goes to the play-offs. And Darina Apanaschenko, the only goalscorer when Ukraine beat Scotland last month, struck on 28 minutes to decide the game in Chernigov.

Denmark decider
Now assuming Ukraine beat Portugal on 27 September, they will only need a point or a one-goal defeat other than 1-0 in their last game in Denmark four days later to hold on to first place. Ukraine have only once before even earned a play-off, which they are at least guaranteed, losing 4-1 on aggregate to England eight years ago.

Coach disappointed
Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller said: «It is really unfortunate. We came here to get points, and yet we lost, even though we created very many chances. We can still clinch the group on 1 October and we just hope that very many fans turn up to support us». Lene Jensen, who returned from injury as a second-half substitute, added: «Of course, I am really, really happy to be back on the national team, I had just hoped that it would not be like this. We created very many chances in the second half, and we can always do better».