The City of Manchester Stadium will host the opening game between England and Finland.
Wednesday, 19 January 2005.
England will begin their assault on the 2005 UEFA European Women’s Championship with an opening fixture against Finland at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Click here to download Windows Media Player.
The tournament begins on Sunday 5 June, and following Wednesday’s draw for the Finals, Women’s National Coach Hope Powell now knows the size of the task that lies ahead for the Three Lions.
Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Minister for Sport and Tourism, Richard Caborn MP, were in Manchester to help make the draw to decide which of the two groups the eight competing nations will go in to.
Joining England and Finland in Group A are Denmark and Sweden, two very capable and in-form sides, who will ask serious questions of Powell's team. But the sight of current World and European Champions Germany in the other Group, will give England confidence as they look to reach the last four.
In Group B alongside the Germans are France, Norway and Italy, illustrating just how strong a field this year’s finals have on show.
Today’s ceremony, which was attended by FA Chairman Geoff Thompson, UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson, England captain Faye White and representatives of each competing country, also saw the unveiling of a brand new trophy, which will be presented to the winners after the final on 19 June.
Germany were allowed to keep the previous prize after becoming European Champions for a third time in a row in 2001, but for now, and until the tournament begins in the summer, the sleak, silver and glass trophy will remain in the possession of The FA.
Hopefully, after 19 June, it will stay here too.
|
The Groups |
|
Group A |
|
Group B |
|
A1 |
|
|
B1 |
|
|
A2 |
|
|
B2 |
|
|
A3 |
|
|
B3 |
|
|
A4 |
|
|
B4 |
 |
Click here for the full match schedule