Euro 2005 semi hope (From Warrington Guardian)

Euro 2005 semi hope

THE stage is set for Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium to hold England's semi-final in Euro 2005.

If Hope Powell's England side finish top of Group A in June's UEFA Women's Championship they will play the runners-up of Group B in Warrington.

England, who qualified automatically as the host nation, will be pushed to the limits though in their group matches against the championship second favourites Sweden, dark horses Denmark and newcomers Finland, who England will meet in the official opening game at the City of Manchester stadium on June 5.

The Halliwell Jones Stadium will host three Group B matches, starting with the titanic battle between three-times champions and holders Germany against third favourites Norway, and to have England in town for the semi-finals would be the icing on the cake.

Powell is not keen to make any predictions of finishing positions at this stage but did say: "I really hope the girls go out there and make a good show of themselves.

"It's been two years since we played our last competitive matches. We've got a young squad that, over the last two years, we've had the opportunity to experiment with and try new things. The two-year gap of preparation will have hopefully done us some good.

"Looking at the two groups, both are very hard. Each game will be very tough and we're simply aiming to do our best."

Germany, who are also the world champions, will open Group B by playing their arch-rivals Norway at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Monday, June 6, kick-off 6pm.

The stadium's other games are France versus Norway on Thursday, June 9, kick-off 8pm, and Germany against France, which could be the group decider, on Sunday, June 12, kick-off 3pm.

Warrington Wolves' home will be the setting for the second semi-final on Thursday, June 16. The match will kick-off at 6.30pm.

Those already converted to watching the women's game will need no second invitation to attend some of the 15 matches, all of which take place in the north west.

But the championship bosses UEFA and the hosts, the Football Association, will be doing all they can to attract newcomers to the game as supporters and players.

Sports minister Richard Caborn MP said at Wednesday's draw ceremony: "I know that around this region and indeed beyond, that we are going to be contacting all the schools, youth clubs and the community groups to make sure that they are participating, both in terms of watching the matches and in the wider development of sport, particularly football."

Warrington Wolves were thanked at the ceremony for lending their facilities to the major championship.

Geoff Thompson, the chairman of the FA, said: "Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Blackpool and Warrington Wolves will be hosts to the games over a 15-day period between June 5-19 and I'd like to express my thanks to those clubs for becoming part of what will be a real festival of football."

The FA hope that tickets will go on sale by the end of February and interested supporters can pre-register their interest for tickets at www.thefa.com/Euro2005/Tickets/

Match schedule:

Group A: Sweden v Denmark, at Blackpool, June 5, 5pm; England v Finland, City of Manchester Stadium, June 5, 7pm; Denmark v England, at Blackburn, June 8, 6pm; Sweden v Finland, at Blackpool, June 8, 8pm; England v Sweden, at Blackburn, June 11, 6pm; Finland v Denmark, at Blackpool, June 11, 6pm.

Group B: Germany v Norway, at Warrington, June 6, 6pm; France v Italy, at Preston, June 6, 8pm; Italy v Germany, at Preston, June 9, 6pm; France v Norway, at Warrington, June 9, 8pm; Germany v France, at Warrington, June 12, 3pm; Norway v Italy, at Preston, June 12, 3pm.

Semi-finals: Winner of Group B v runner-up of Group A at Preston, June 15, 6.30pm; winner of Group A v runner-up of Group B, at Warrington, June 16, 6.30pm.

Final: To take place at Blackburn on June 19, 3.15pm.