Finland happy with group stage draw for UEFA Women’s Euro 2009

Finns to host tournament in August and September

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"Yesss!"
      A voice from the audience summarised what everybody was feeling after the Union of European Football Associations' President Michel Platini completed the draw for the 2009 UEFA European Women's Championship at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on Tuesday.
      In the opening group stage of next summer’s tournament, the Finnish hosts will play against Denmark, Ukraine, and The Netherlands.
     
Sentiments in the Finnish camp were somewhat relieved after the draw.
      Though Denmark is one of the greats in women’s football, the hosts will have a good chance of making it through the group stage of the tournament that will take place in the southern cities of Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, and Lahti next August.
      “I have to say I am satisfied. They are all tough groups, but I would not swap places with anyone”, Finnish head coach Michael Käld stated.
      Denmark is a familiar opponent to the Finnish women, both from the 2005 European Championships and the previous World Cup qualifiers. In the Euro tournament Finland celebrated with a 2-1 win on their way to securing a semi-final place, but the World Cup qualifiers were a disappointment: although the Finns beat the Danes at home and lost 1-0 away, it was Denmark who progressed to the finals.
     
The Ukraine and the Netherlands, on the other hand, are bigger question-marks. Both countries are first-timers to a senior top level tournament in women’s football, and both made it through this time after play-offs victories.
      “Of the Ukraine team I know virtually nothing. Holland is slightly more familiar”, said experienced Finnish national team player Anne Mäkinen.
     
Platini, who grinned mischievously while bantering about his strong French accent when speaking English, performed the draw together with the Finnish former national goalkeepers Antti Niemi and Satu Kunnas.
      The Finnish head coach Käld considers Group B with Germany, Norway, France, and Iceland the toughest one of them all; the "group of death" that every tournament nowadays seems obliged to have.
     
If one gazes at the FIFA rankings, it certainly does look as tough as nails: the three first-mentioned teams are ranked 2nd, 6th, and 7th in the world respectively.
      Germany is a real superpower in women’s football, having secured the European title in the last four tournaments. Norway and France, too, emerged victorious from their qualifying groups, and the Norwegians were beaten semi-finalists at the last World Cup.
      Group C comprises Sweden, England, Russia, and Italy. The Swedes will probably favourities here: they are currently No.4 in the world.
     
Finland will play all its matches at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, starting with Denmark on August 23rd. Having the Danes first up is another plus, as the Scandinavian rivalry is sure to add plenty of bottoms on seats, pleasing the Finnish FA.
      The Football Association will also have been satisfied to see that the Swedes will be playing in Turku, only a short hop from Stockholm, and that hot favourites Germany will swell attendances in Tampere.
     
The Finns are going into the tournament with high ambitions.   
      “In 2005 we made it to the semi-finals, so it would be pointless to aim anywhere lower than that”, explained Anne Mäkinen, who has more than a hundred internationals under her belt.
      The UEFA Women’s Euro 2009 will take place in Finland from August 23rd to September 10th 2009.
      In order to progress from the opening groups, teams must finish in the top two in the group or be one of the best two 3rd-placed teams.


Links:
  Finland National Women´s Team (Wikipedia)
  UEFA: Women´s EURO 2009
  Women´s Euro 2009 (Wikipedia)

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