The eight-nation tournament, to be played in the North West of England during 5-19 June, will provide Powell’s team with a massive challenge against some of the toughest opposition in the world.

“Fans will see the quality of women’s football and how it has progressed in recent years,” said the National Coach at the launch of Euro 2005 at Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers and one of the grounds at which England will play their matches.

“The fact that Germany and Sweden met in last year’s World Cup final in America,” she added, “is a clear indication that the women’s game in Europe is at a higher point than it’s ever been before.

“As we were knocked out of the World Cup at the play-off final stage, Euro 2005 has been a long time coming for us - but it’s only a few months away now and everybody in the England camp is totally focused on the task ahead.

“It’s going to be a tough competition, we are under no illusions about that. But the girls are working very hard to ensure that when 5 June comes around, they will be in the best possible condition to take on the best teams in the world.”

Before taking over as National Coach in 1998 Powell had 14 years earlier been a player in the England team which lost on penalties to Sweden in the first Euro final, and she was also part of squads that reached two subsequent semi-finals.

So as she now steps up preparations for what will be her second UEFA Championship finals as National Coach, the former midfielder knows exactly what being involved in the event will mean to her players.

“Playing in the 1984 final was one of the highlights of my career,” she said. “It was always a thrill and an honour to play in the UEFA competition, and for the players who’ll be taking part in Euro 2005 it will be extra special because it’s on home soil.”

Several of England’s current group of players were in the squad that contested Euro 2001 in Germany, following which they suffered the bitter disappointment of going down at the final qualifying hurdle for the 2003 World Cup.

So there’s a real sense of wanting to put the record straight as well as a great feeling of anticipation ahead of next year’s tournament, as captain Faye White explained while sitting alongside Powell at the big event’s launch.

“I wasn’t a regular in the starting line-up at Euro 2001 and only played one match,” recalled the Arsenal central defender. “But I loved being part of the squad, and being involved in such a big tournament was really valuable experience.

“We didn’t progress beyond the group stage in Germany and then we missed out on getting to the World Cup finals, which was a major disappointment, but now Euro 2005 gives us the perfect platform to show what we are capable of.

“It’s great to think that you’re about to go into a major tournament in your own country and be part of something that can promote the women’s game and take it to a new level – and that’s exactly what we aim to do at Euro 2005.”