Tina Theune-Meyer's final match as Germany coach ended in yet more glory as her side defeated Norway 3-1 in Blackburn to win a sixth UEFA European Women’s Championship and a third under her tenure.

Having played an assistant's role in the European triumphs of 1989, 1991 and 1995, Theune-Meyer took charge in 1996 and subsequently added further crowns the following year and in 2001 on home soil. First-half goals from Inka Grings and Renate Lingor had put Germany into a position of strength before Dagny Mellgren gave Norway hope. Birgit Prinz, playing in her fourth final, had other ideas, however, and settled the match with a deflected shot from range in the 63rd minute.

Prinz almost added a fourth which would have saw her finish as the outright leading scorer in England, only for Nordby to brilliantly deny her with a low 80th-minute save. The 27-year-old still had plenty to celebrate, though, after becoming the first player to score in three finals following her efforts in 1995 and 1997.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Will Germany be going down today under the strength and experience of Norway in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final (as depicted in the photo on the right)?

As the only European country to have tasted success at continental, world and Olympic levels, Norway may feel slightly aggrieved to go into the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final at Ewood Park today billed as underdogs.

But seldom has the women's game seen a force as formidable as their opponents, Germany, who stand just one victory away from winning their fourth consecutive UEFA European Women's Championship, having swept aside all that has been put before them before crushing Finland 4-1 in the semi-final.

Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen certainly is not fazed by their outsiders' tag. "You have to accept they are the big favourites and that's fine by me.  It takes the pressure off us and if I am totally honest, they probably deserve to be favourites if you look at their results in the tournament so far. But we have the belief in our squad that we can beat them and after our performance against Sweden, anything is possible."

Enjoy the final live today on Eurosport at 15:15 BST.

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Norway will play Germany in their fifth UEFA European Women's Championship final after Solveig Gulbrandsen settled a titanic semi-final against Sweden in Warrington with a volleyed winner in extra time.

Norway were two minutes away from winning the game in normal time when Hanna Ljungberg poked in her second equaliser of the match, Gulbrandsen and Isabell Herlovsen having scored in each half for the Norwegians. They were not to be denied for a second time, however, as Gulbrandsen turned in Dagny Mellgren's cross in the 109th minute to ensure it is Norway who will take on the holders and favourites in Blackburn on Sunday.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Two opportunist goals from Inka Grings sealed Germany's place in the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final in a pulsating encounter in Preston which finally brought the curtain down on Finland's impressive campaign.

The defending champions raced into a three-goal lead in an extraordinary opening period. Grings set the ball rolling, converting a third-minute pass from Anja Mittag before Conny Pohlers doubled their advantage following a defensive mix-up. Goalkeeper Satu Kunnas was soon picking the ball out of the net again as Grings added a third with just 12 minutes played. Although Minna Mustonen raised hopes of a Finnish revival in the 15th minute, Birgit Prinz put the game beyond doubt with a fine solo effort to secure Germany's place in their fourth consecutive European Championship final.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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If Sweden are to return to Ewood Park for the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final against Germany or Finland on Sunday, Marika Domanski-Lyfors knows she and her coaching team must find the correct balance between work and play.

Sweden spent a deserved day off on Monday visiting the shops, cafés and galleries of the Albert Dock in Liverpool, where a museum devoted to The Beatles is the star attraction.

Norway have won 18 of their 37 matches against Sweden, losing just eleven, and Domanski-Lyfors feels the Norwegians "must be seen as favourites" for their eagerly-awaited tie in Warrington. "They've had the upper hand against us in previous games and deserve that tag," said the coach.

She concluded: "It'll be an even contest but we'll do our utmost to succeed. Everything looks good for Thursday and it should be a great game and bring a change of atmosphere." Like Group A runners-up Finland, Sweden left their base in Accrington on Monday for the tournament headquarters in Preston.

Match can be viewed live on Eurosport.

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Invincible, machine-like and unbeatable are just three of the words which have been used to describe Germany as they prepare for this evening's UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-final with tournament minnows Finland.

Never one to be intimidated, however, Finland coach Michael Käld remains quietly confident his side can continue their dream and book an unlikely slot in Sunday's final at Ewood Park, when they take on Germany in a match he describes as "the biggest game in the history of Finnish football".

Match can be viewed live on Eurosport.

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A second-half onslaught from defending champions Germany in Warrington left France's dreams of clinching a UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-final place in tatters.

The French seemed well on course after having the better of the opening hour but collapsed in the closing stages. Inka Grings broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute and Sarah Bouhaddi soon brought down Birgit Prinz in the area, allowing Renate Lingor to double Germany's advantage. Sandra Minnert completed the scoring with a 20-metre free-kick to book a semi-final date with Finland and condemn France to third in the group behind Norway, who beat Italy 5-3 in Preston.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

Final standings for Group B were as follows:

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Norway had five goals and, more importantly, a semi-final place to celebrate after their thrilling 5-3 win against Italy in Preston proved enough to take them through.

Not only did they inflict the Azzurre's third defeat in Group B with some sublime attacking football - reciprocated by their opponents for their consolations - Norway also secured second place on goal difference and a date with Sweden after France fell 3-0 to pool winners Germany.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Germany v France
With a squad bursting with world class performers and a track record which is the envy of every other nation across the globe, it is not like Germany need to rely on luck to help smooth their path to the final of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.

None the less, German coach Tina Theune-Meyer is anxious her side sign off from Group B with a victory thus ensuring their semi-final is in Preston - a place with nothing but golden memories for her and her squad. "It is crucial we win this game,".

France need only a point to progress, a goal Loisel believes is well within their reach. "We think Germany are the best side in the tournament but we can get a result against them," she said. "To beat them we must stop them playing their usual game and close them down as quickly as possible. We hope can't guarantee will progress but we will certainly give absolutely everything to get to the last four."

Norway v Italy
Norwegian fans have two teams to support today as their side meet Italy hoping for a place in the semi-finals of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.

Not only will they be willing their own side on to victory in Preston in their last Group B encounter, but they will also be behind Germany who face France simultaneously in Warrington. France, who defeated Italy before drawing 1-1 with Norway on Thursday, lead the Scandinavian side by three points, so only a German win would give Bjarne Berntsen's team hope of progress.

Even then there is a matter of overturning France's net goal difference advantage, which stands at three. Indeed, if Norway win by a two-goal margin and score three goals more than France should Elisabeth Loisel's side lose by one, then the teams will be split by fair play ranking, and if that is level, the drawing of lots.

Both matches can be viewed live on Eurosport.

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Sweden secured a UEFA WOMEN’S EURO 2005™ semi-final place as an early Anna Sjöström eliminated hosts England.

Despite matching Sweden all the way, England could not claim the equaliser they needed to deny the 2001 runners-up, who ended top of Group A thanks to fellow-qualifiers Finland’s 2-1 win against Denmark, a result that left Hope Powell's team in fourth.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

Final standings for Group A were as follows:

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Tournament debutants Finland booked an unlikely place in the last four of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Denmark.

Laura Kalmari set the Finns on their way in the sixth minute, slotting home after capitalising on a defensive error before Heidi Kackur's powerful header sent the 500 traveling Finnish fans into delirium. Denmark pulled one back through Cathrine Paaske Sørensen but the resilient Finnish defence refused to buckle under a torrent of Danish pressure as they booked their place in the last four.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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England v Sweden
Ten minutes from time against Denmark, UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ hosts England thought they were through. At full-time they thought they would need to beat Sweden in their Group A closer.

In fact, a point should be enough for England to secure a semi-final place in Blackburn today, but Sweden, the 2001 UEFA European Women's Championship and 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup finalists, have been here before. In both of those competitions they went into their final group games not sure of progress, only to produce vital wins.

Finland v Denmark
Finland coach Michael Käld admitted his side would be in "football heaven" if they achieve their dream of reaching the semi-final's of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ today.

The 50-year-old leads his team out against Denmark at Bloomfield Road knowing even a victory may not be enough to secure a place in the last four of the tournament. But he admitted no matter what the result his side will leave the north-west of England with their heads held high.

Both matches can be viewed live on Eurosport.

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Isabell Herlovsen's first international goal kept Norway in contention for a place in the semi-finals and prevented France's passage with a game to spare as the substitute cancelled out Stéphanie Mugneret-Béghé's opener in Warrington.

Coach Bjarne Berntsen sent on the 16-year-old at half-time with Norway's place in the competition looking in grave danger. Twenty minutes later she headed in a fine equalising goal, sparing Siri Nordby's blushes after her error had allowed Mugneret-Béghé to score for France in the 20th minute.

France need a point against Germany to join them in the last four, while only a win against Italy will do for Norway.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Defending champions Germany delivered a finishing masterclass to move top of Group B and end Italy's hopes of progressing to the last four of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.

Birgit Prinz opened the scoring in the eleventh minute, clinically dispatching Anja Mittag's elegant back-heel before Conny Pohlers made it two with a right-foot thunderbolt. Stephanie Jones added her name to the scoresheet in the 55th minute before Anja Mittag wrapped it up in the 74th minute after her penalty had been brilliantly saved by Carla Brunozzi.

The result, coupled with France's 1-1 draw with Norway later on Thursday, means Germany become the first side to reach the semi-finals.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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After an opening-day defeat by old foes France, Italy coach Carolina Morace could be forgiven for being a little despondent ahead of today's game against world champions Germany at Deepdale.

A win would book Germany's place in the last four and leave Italy almost certainly out of the tournament, but even if the Italians are down and out, Morace will still be smiling come Friday morning.

France are a win away from advancing to the knockout stages of a UEFA European Women's Championship for the first time and would relish recording it against the team that has knocked them out of the last two major tournaments, Norway.

Both matches can be viewed live on Eurosport.

Sweden and Finland drew 0-0 in Blackpool on Wednesday to leave all four teams in with a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages when UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ Group A concludes on Saturday.

Much had been made of the attacking talents at the disposal of Sweden, in particular, and Finland, yet it was the defences which stood tall. It was also a defender who went closest to scoring, Kristin Bengtsson's 78th-minute cross eluding everyone before bouncing to safety off the base of the Finland post. The Finns and Sweden now have one and two points and must win their deciders against Denmark (four points) and England (three).

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Denmark are within one point of the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ semi-finals after a dramatic late comeback denied hosts England.

An 80th-minute free-kick from Merete Pedersen cancelled out Fara Williams's penalty early in the second half before Catherine Paaske Sørensen broke English hearts with a header following Johanna Rasmussen's dangerous centre. The hosts, who knew victory would have taken them through, dominated for large periods but could not again beat a resolute Danish defence.

But Pedersen's superb free-kick combined with Sørensen's strike left Powell's side heartbroken, although Finland's draw with Sweden means they only need a point against the 2001 runners-up here on Saturday to progress. Denmark also know a draw in Blackpool against Finland would be sufficient.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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France began their UEFA European Women's Championship campaign in style, sweeping aside Italy with three first-half goals in a one-sided encounter in Preston.

Hoda Lattaf set the ball rolling, steering home Sandrine Soubeyrand's defence-splitting pass before two typically predatory strikes from Marinette Pichon put the result beyond doubt. Sara Di Filippo pulled a goal back in the dying moments of the game but the win left Les Bleues on top of Group B above Germany who defeated Norway 1-0.

Italy have a massive test against the Germans on Thursday, while France meet Norway.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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The holders Germany got their 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship campaign off to a winning start as a Conny Pohlers goal just after the hour dashed Norway's hopes of causing an early Group B upset in Warrington.

Pohlers was the 14-goal leading scorer as her club 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam won the UEFA Women's Cup last month and she showed similarly clinical finishing when beating Bente Nordby with an angled shot after being picked out by Navina Omilade. The defeat may have been harsh on Norway, although coach Bjarne Berntsen has every reason to be confident ahead of the game here against France on Thursday, when Germany face Italy in Preston.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Group B kicks-off today with tournament favourites Germany facing world number 3 seeds Norway.

France will also be looking for victory against rivals Italy in the Group B wooden spoon clash.

Both matches can be viewed on Eurosport with highlights on BBC 2's "Match of the Day" later in the evening.

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England were indebted to Karen Carney for ensuring they got their 2005 UEFA European Women’s Championship campaign off to a winning start as the 17-year-old struck an added-time winner to seal a 3-2 win after Finland had wiped out the hosts’ two-goal half-time advantage.

Carney’s strike provided a fitting conclusion to a wonderful occasion at the City of Manchester stadium as a European record crowd approaching 30,000 were treated to a fine display of attacking football. An own goal from Finland captain Sanna Valkonen and Amanda Barr’s header gave England a 2-0 lead before Anna-Kaisa Rantanen and Laura Kalmari, in the 89th minute, drew Finland level ahead of Carney’s late intervention.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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A wonderful strike from Johanna Rasmussen earned Denmark a 1-1 draw in their opening UEFA European Women's Championship Group A match against Scandinavian rivals Sweden.

Hanna Ljungberg had given Sweden a 20th-minute lead with a neat close-range finish but Rasmussen cut in from the left and fired a rising, right-footed finish past Hedvig Lindahl and into the roof of the net to restore parity eight minutes later.

Check out the full match review, interviews, photos and footage by clicking here.

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Having not played a competitive fixture since November 2002, England's return to tournament football could not be more eagerly awaited as the hosts tackle Finland in a Group A fixture which will officially launch the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship this evening.

France were England's opponents that night in Saint-Etienne, winning 1-0 to complete a 2-0 aggregate success that sent Les Bleues to the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and the English to the drawing board. Powell and her team of coaches have used the intervening years wisely, investment and dedication bringing through an exciting crop of talent which appears to be peaking just in time for the biggest women's football tournament ever to grace this continent.

England are in the midst of their best run in 18 years after winning nine of their ten pre-tournament friendlies, yet know such positive results will count for nothing if they do not perform in front of a fervent crowd in excess of 25,000 at the City of Manchester stadium. "The pressure is something we have to take into account," said Powell. "At the moment we're very relaxed and have done a lot of work around it. But we have to control what we can and that will be our approach in the games."

With much of the pre-match coverage unashamedly focusing on the host nation, it is easy to overlook the fact that Finland possess a team well capable of pooping England's party. Like England under Powell, the Finns have flourished under Mickael Käld; their progress manifesting itself in a 4-1 play-off victory against Russia last October. "I saw on the players faces in Moscow what it meant to them," said the coach. "We've been looking forward to this for seven months and are ready."

Finland have profited from their leading players moving to play in the Swedish Allsvenskan, with captain Sanna Valkonen and midfield duo Anne Mäkinen and Jessica Julin on the books of Umeå IK and key striker Laura Kalmari employed by Djurgården/Älvsjö. Mäkinen, Finland's greatest player, previously enjoyed a successful spell in professional football in the United States, playing alongside Kelly Smith who enjoys a similarly lofty status in England.

Despite Makinen hailing her former Philadelphia Charge team-mate as "definitely one of the top five players in the world", Smith is likely to start from the bench on Sunday as she is not yet fully match fit following a series of injuries. England will be captained by Faye White, one of five survivors from the team of 2001 that suffered heavy defeats by Sweden and Germany in the group stage and mustered only a point from a draw with Russia.

A similar showing would represent a huge disappointment as the Football Association look to this tournament to create a similar legacy to what EURO '96™ did for the men's game. Yet Powell is confident that will not be the case. "We want the players to enjoy the whole occasion and make every moment and every second count," she said, with an eye on maximum points in Manchester ahead of the game against Denmark on Wednesday, when Finland meet Sweden.

Check out the full match preview by clicking here and catch the match live in the UK on BBC2 at 18:40 BST.

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The seaside town of Blackpool has long been renowned for launching the careers of famous comedy duos but it is completely different kind of double act who hope to take centre stage when Sweden meet Denmark at Bloomfield Road in today's UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ opener.

Swedish strikers Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson are arguably the most feared striking partnership in the international game and their coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors believes both forwards can bolster their reputations over the next two weeks after the pair shrugged off their respective injury problems to score in a 3-1 friendly win against Canada last week.

Sweden arrived in the north-west of England as one of the leading contenders to lift the trophy and in the Group A press conference the three coaches were unanimous in tipping Sweden to top the group. It is easy to see why. Their qualification for the final stages went swimmingly well as they topped a group which included Finland and Italy, winning six consecutive games along the way.

With their coach likely to adopt an orthodox 4-4-2 formation for the Denmark game, Ljungberg and Svensson will be anxious to add to their international goal tallies as Sweden look to shrug off their tag of perennial bridesmaids and win the European title for the first time since 1984.

"We hope we can go one better than we did in 2001 and 2003," said Svensson, who has amassed 39 goals in 109 international appearances. "This year didn't start so well from a personal point of view as I struggled with injuries, but it feels great to be at the European championship and we know we will have to be at our best to get through our difficult group."

Sunday's opponents Denmark, however, are not just here to make up the numbers. Swedish coach Domanski-Lyfors identified the Danes as the team most likely to trouble them in Group A and Peter Bonde's side have already proved they can match their neighbours when they held them to a scoreless draw in a recent friendly. Lining up in a 4-4-2, the Danes can also call on the services of their star midfield player Cathrine Paaske Sørensen who is expected who is set to further enhance her reputation over the next fortnight.

"She is one of those players who sets your pulse racing," said Bonde. "She's an incredible talent with an incredible first touch who will be vital for us if we are to succeed in England this summer." If the Danes are to succeed against Sweden she will have to be at her illuminating best in Blackpool.

Check out the full match preview by clicking here and catch the match live on Eurosport at 17:00 BST.

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As we await the start of the competition tomorrow, have you voted yet for who you think will win the UEFA European Women's Championship 2005?

Complete the poll above in our Features in Focus section and let's see who the tournament favourites are, Germany seem to be leading currently.

UEFA Women's EURO 2005™ is Europe's biggest ever women's football event and uefa.com is handing you the chance to manage your own team by launching the tournament's official Fantasy Football competition.

It is the perfect remedy for all you football fans who are already getting post-season withdrawal symptoms following a spectacular campaign of European club football. All you have to do is browse through the list of players from the eight squads taking part in the tournament, which kicks off in the northwest of England tomorrow, and pick the 12 you think will make the biggest impact.

So, if you have always dreamed of Swedish sensation Hanna Ljungberg spearheading your attack alongside England's supremely gifted Kelly Smith then here's your chance to watch them shine. Once you've picked your 12 players, sit back and enjoy the action as your team earns you points for saves, clean sheets, assists and goals.

And remember that Women's EURO 2005™ Fantasy Football is free to enter and there are superb prizes for the overall winners - tickets to a UEFA Champions League match next season.

Click here to play UEFA Women's EURO 2005™ Fantasy Football.

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Tomorrow sees the start of the UEFA European Women's Championship 2005, today we take a look at one of the favourites in Sweden.

Sweden have always been a major name in European women's football - they won the inaugural European Competition for Women's Football in 1984 - but it is in recent years that they have emerged as a talented unit equal to any other national team.

Following their 1984 triumph, in which they overcame England on penalties in Luton after a 1-1 aggregate draw, Sweden reached the next final in 1987, only to lose to hosts Norway. For the next few years they found themselves eclipsed by Scandinavian foes Norway and Denmark, as well as by Germany - though their rivalry with the latter nation was something for the future.

However, after finishing third at the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991, the appointment of Bengt Simonsson as coach in 1992, and then the promotion of his assistant Marika Domanski-Lyfors four years later, improved fortunes. In 1995 Sweden reached the UEFA European Women's Championship final, losing 3-2 to Germany in Kaiserslautern, and in 2001 they again had a run to the same stage - only to lose to a German golden goal.

They have since maintained those performance levels, making the 2003 World Cup final - only to again fall to a golden goal from Germany. Last year they missed out on an Olympic medal following a 1-0 defeat by a certain nation to their south. However, Umeå IK's lifting of the UEFA Women's Cup in 2003 and 2004 and the domestic rise of Djurgården/Älvsjö have given Sweden the edge in European club football, and the talent in the national team suggests that another trophy could arrive in England in June.

Qualification was as much of a procession as could be expected. Six consecutive wins against Switzerland (twice), Italy, Finland and Serbia and Montenegro (twice) ensured first place in Group 1 for the Swedes, leaving them able to afford late slips against Italy and Finland, both of whom would qualify for England through the play-offs

Caroline Jönsson is a reliable goalkeeper, while Hanna Marklund is the rock in defence with the experienced Kristin Bengtsson another vital presence at the back. In a solid 4-4-2 formation, captain Malin Moström, Frida Östberg, Anna Sjöström and Malin Andersson patrol the midfield, but the headlines are usually snatched by the forwards. Umeå's Hanna Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson of Djurgården/Älvsjö may be rivals at club level, but the two have a great friendship that becomes a prolific striking partnership for Sweden; one that has propelled the national team's recent success.

WOMEN'S EURO record:

• winners 1984
• runners-up 1987, 1995 and 2001
• semi-finals 1989 and 1997
• quarter-finals 1991 and 1993

World ranking: 5

Click here for more team details for Sweden.

© 2005 uefa.com Official UEFA Women's Championship site

As we continue the build up to the start of this weekend's UEFA European Women's Championship 2005, today we take a look at Norway.

Norway have been at the vanguard of women's football ever since they took on neighbours and great rivals Sweden in their first international in 1978. Even accounting for the emergence of Germany as the game's global power, the Norwegians have gone on to become the only country from this continent to taste glory at European, world and Olympic levels.

Norway won the 1987 European Competition for Women's Football and repeated the feat in 1993 - by which time the competition had become the UEFA European Women's Championship. FIFA Women's World Cup glory beckoned in 1991, only for the United States to defeat the Scandinavians 2-1 in front of 65,000 supporters in China.

They were not to be denied in Sweden four years later, however, as the brilliance of Hege Riise enabled Norway to beat Germany 2-0 in the final. The midfielder was so influential that Egil Olsen, coach of the Norwegian men's team, voted Riise into his top three in the annual FIFA World Footballer of the Year poll.

The side's crowning glory came in 2000, as they made up for elimination in the semi-finals of the previous Olympic Games by winning gold in Sydney. Dagny Mellgren scored a golden goal to settle an epic tie against the US. Despite reaching the last four at EURO 2001, Norway's star has dipped since that magical day in Australia and they failed to qualify for last year's Games in Athens.

Nor was their qualification for EURO 2005 a formality, as they were pipped to an automatic place from Group 2 by Denmark following a 2-1 reverse in Odense. It meant Åge Steen's team had to negotiate Iceland in a play-off to claim their ticket to England, something they did with ease, winning 9-3 on aggregate.

Solveig Gulbrandsen scored a hat-trick in the first leg to underline her status as Norway's most influential player. The Kolbotn IL midfielder does not neglect her defensive duties but is at her most effective when attacking. Despite recent injuries Mellgren remains a threat, while goalkeeper Bente Nordby is one of the world's best.

WOMEN'S EURO record:

• winners 1987 & 1993
• runners-up 1989 & 1991
• semi-finals 1995 & 2001
• group stage 1997

World ranking: 3

Click here for more team details for Norway.

© 2005 uefa.com Official UEFA Women's Championship site

After winning the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and taking an Olympic bronze medal in Athens last summer, the nation that has won five of the eight official European tournaments qualified in typically impressive style by scoring 50 goals in eight matches and not dropping a point.

The old Federal Republic of Germany were relative latecomers to women's football - it was even banned in the 1950s - and in the first EURO in 1984 they did not win a game in qualifying. They also missed out in 1987 but two years later soared to success, defeating Norway 4-1 in the final on home soil.

Another victory followed in 1991, Norway again their final victims. In 1993 Italy defeated a now unified Germany in the semi-finals on penalties, but by 1995 the trophy was reclaimed, Sweden beaten 3-2. Triumphs in 1997 against Italy and 2001 versus the Swedes completed a hat-trick of titles, prior to the World Cup success of 2003.

Germany's desire to lift more silverware was fuelled further by their semi-final defeat by the United States in Athens last summer, but their major rivals in England will probably be the team they beat 1-0 in the final of both WOMEN'S EURO 2001 and the 2003 World Cup, as well the Olympic bronze medal play-off and the 1995 EURO final, Sweden.

Coach Tina Theune-Meyer can look to proven international stars in her lineup as well as young talented players eager to make their mark at a big tournament - the new generation proving their mettle in November by claiming the FIFA U-19 World Championship in Thailand.

Goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg has been a stalwart since the mid-1990s, while in defence Steffi Jones, Sandra Minnert and Kerstin Stegemann boast 323 caps between them. Hamburger SV's Sarah Günther and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam's Inken Becker are the young defenders breaking through.

Renate Lingor and Pia Wunderlich are the most experienced midfielders with 18-year-old Melanie Behringer and Célia Okoyino da Mbabi, 16, coming into contention after the U19 World Championship success. Up front Birgit Prinz is still the most valuable weapon in Germany's arsenal. The 2003 and 2004 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year has won every title the game has to offer, but remains as driven as ever by a fierce will to succeed.

WOMEN'S EURO record:

• winners 1989, 1991, 1995, 1997, 2001
• semi-finals 1993

World ranking: 1

Click here for more team details for Germany.

© 2005 uefa.com Official UEFA Womens Championship site

As one of the traditional forces in women's football - England did not lose for two and a half years after their first international in 1972 - it is appropriate that the country will this year stage a UEFA Women's Championship final round for the first time since it became a one-venue event in 1987.

Although England have recently found themselves eclipsed by the likes of Norway, Germany and Sweden, they have remained a dangerous proposition, and the growing strength of the FA Women's Premier League, which began in 1993, has provided the national team with a crop of talent that gives them every chance of success on home soil. Indeed, an Arsenal LFC side featuring a number of English internationals will compete for continental glory in the UEFA Women's Cup semi-finals in April.

Regular goalkeeper Rachel Brown is one of several players with experience of United States college football, while captain Faye White is a towering stalwart in central defence alongside the versatile Rachel Unitt and Mary Phillip. Katie Chapman has stepped forward into midfield with success, allowing Rachel Yankey and Sue Smith freedom on the wings. In attack, Kelly Smith and Amanda Barr's prowess has been supplemented by the emergence of youngsters such as Eniola Aluko and Ellen Maggs.

Although there will be a new trophy awarded to the winners of WOMEN'S EURO 2005, the inaugural piece of silverware was actually presented for the first time in England in May 1984. Having lost 1-0 in Gothenburg in the first leg of the final, the English triumphed 1-0 on a quagmire of a pitch in Luton to force extra time and penalties, where the Swedes prevailed 4-3.

Conditions will be different this summer, but England - no doubt backed by passionate support - will hope to be inspired by the same spirit which so nearly saw their predecessors crowned European champions two decades ago.

WOMEN'S EURO record:

• runners-up 1984
• semi-finals 1987, 1995
• quarter-finals 1991, 1993
• group stage 2001

World ranking: 14

Click here for more team details for England.

This Sunday sees the start of the UEFA European Women's Championship 2005 here in England, running from 5th - 19th June. The huge development of the female game has gone hand in hand with the growth of the UEFA European Women's Championship.

UEFA stages alternately a two-year European Women's Championship qualifying competition and a two-year qualifying competition for the FIFA Women's Cup, with each competition split into two divisions depending on the strength of the nation involved. For the first time in qualifying for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™, the European élite featured 20 teams - it was formerly 16 - split into four groups of five.

England qualified automatically as hosts and were joined by the four group winners (Sweden, Denmark, France and Germany), while the remaining three berths were filled by Finland, Italy and Norway and following play-offs involving the four runners-up and the two best third-placed teams. There was also an incentive for the developing nations to continue to improve, with Austria, Republic of Ireland, Belarus, Greece and Israel earning promotion to the championship groups (five groups of five teams) for 2007 World Cup qualifying.

The eight finalists were divided into two groups of four teams each, with only hosts England knowing their group position prior to a draw which was unseeded. Each team plays each of the other teams in its group, using a league system (three points for a win, one point for a draw, no points for a defeat) to decide the placings. The winners of Group A will face the Group B runners-up in the semi-final, and vice versa. The winners of these games contest the final, with no third-placed play-off being played.

The inaugural European Competition for Women's Football was played in the period between 1982 and 1984, and the tournament was upgraded to a European Championship for the 1989/91 event. Sweden (1984), Norway (1987), Germany (1989 and 1991), and Norway (1993) were crowned European champions in the early years before the Germans triumphed in 1995, 1997 and 2001 - the latter success coming with a 1-0 'golden goal' win against Sweden in the final on home soil in Ulm.

Keep visiting here for all the build up and coverage during the tournament.

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