England v Belarus
UEFA Women's European Championship
Qualifying Round, Group One
12.30pm, Saturday 27 October 2007
Banks's Stadium, Walsall FC
Ticketing details click here

After the incredible World Cup journey that began two years ago in Amstetten, the first qualifier away to Austria, and ended against the Americans in Tianjin, Karen Carney is determined that England embark on another journey all the way to Finland and the European Championship in 2009.

Still only 20, Carney is a veteran of two major tournaments having made the headlines early on at Euro 2005 with her dramatic injury time winner against Finland, and she is keen to make it a hat-trick in two years time.

"I think on the back of the World Cup we've got to be looking to do something big and special at the next major tournament. First job is qualifying, and if we can do that then we have to look to go one step further than we have done before.

"We've proved against Germany that we can compete with the best, and our players are a good age so as we get a little older and add the experience we're gaining all the time we can only get better.

"We have to be professional again, we did it after the Euros, we came back disappointed but we knew we had to lift ourselves for a World Cup qualifier. Now we have to do the same for this game, we're trying to go forward all the time and progress but we'll take qualification one game at a time and this is the most important one right now.

"2009 will be where a lot of our players will peak, so hopefully that will be when we can make a big impression and go far."

Walsall holds good memories for Carney, and as a local girl she'll be eager to perform for her watching family and friends.

"I was involved for England in the last game at Walsall, I came on as sub in the second half.

"But it's going to be more special this time around as I'm more senior now and I have a bit more experience. More of my family have taken notice of the England games now, whereas when I played there last time I was just breaking through.

"Now all my family are behind me wherever we play, and everyone asks 'Karen, will you get me tickets?'. My family will all be coming down to watch the game so that will make it special playing in front of them."

Read the full interview with Karen in the official Matchday programme