1994 Algarve Cup

The 1994 Algarve Cup was the inaugural edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women's association football tournament. It took place between 16 and 20 March 1994 in Portugal with Norway winning the event, defeating the USA, 1-0 in the final game. Sweden ended up third defeating Denmark, 1-0, in the game for third prize.[1]

1994 Algarve Cup
Tournament details
Host countryPortugal
Teams6 (from 2 confederations)
Venue(s)7
Final positions
Champions Norway (1st title)
Runners-up United States
Third place Sweden
Tournament statistics
Matches played9
Goals scored27 (3 per match)
Top scorer(s)Norway Ann Kristin Aarønes
(5 goals)
Best player(s)Norway Ann Kristin Aarønes

Format

The inaugural competition was contested between the hosts Portugal, four Scandinavian teams (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and the USA. Only two confederations were thus represented, CONCACAF and UEFA.

The six invited teams were split into two groups that played a round-robin tournament. On completion of this, the third placed teams in each group would play each other to decide fifth and sixth place, the second placed teams in each group would play to determine third and fourth place and the winners of each group would compete for first and second place overall.

Points awarded in the group stage followed the standard formula of three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.

Group A
Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
 United States 6220060+6
 Sweden 3210131+2
 Portugal 0200208−8
United States 5–0 Portugal
Gabarra 5', 31'
Lilly 21'
Milbrett 85'
Foudy 89'		 Report
Estádio Dr. Francisco Vieira, Silves
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Finn Lambek (Denmark)
Sweden 3–0 Portugal
Nilsson 11'
Cazuza 25' (o.g.)
Nessvold 76'		 Report
Attendance: 500
Referee: Mika Peltola (Finland)
United States 1–0 Sweden
Hamm 1' Report
Attendance: 450

1991 FIFA Women's World Cup winners; the United States, finished in the top position of Group A with maximum points after winning both of their games including defeating the hosts Portugal 5–0.

Group B
Team Pts Pld W D L GF GA GD
 Norway 62200121+11
 Denmark 3210126−4
 Finland 0200207−7
Norway 6–0 Finland
Hegstad 1'
Aarønes 4', 33'
Krokan 52'
Sandberg 85'
? (o.g.)		 Report
Attendance: 462
Denmark 1–0 Finland
Rasmussen 1' Report
Norway 6–1 Denmark
Aarønes 9', 57'
Riise 14'
Medaln 17'
Hegstad 38'
Carlsen 60'		 Report Hansen 1'
Attendance: 436

Norway, 1991 World Cup runner's up, defeated their neighbours Denmark and Finland by scoring six goals in each match.

Fifth Place
Portugal 2–0 Finland
Couto 55'
Sequeira 68'		 Report
Estádio Municipal de Quarteira, Quarteira
Referee: Finn Lambek (Denmark)

Third Place
Sweden 1–0 Denmark
Videkull 1' Report
Attendance: 400

Final
Norway 1–0 United States
Aarønes 84' Report
Attendance: 1,152
Referee: José Pratas (Portugal)

In a replay of the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, Norway once again faced the USA but won on this occasion.

Awards
 1994 Algarve Cup 

Norway
First title
Best player
Norway Ann Kristin Aarønes

Goalscorers
5 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goal

References
  1. "Damerna vann bronsmatch" (in Swedish). Dagens nyheter. March 20, 1994. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
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