All you need to know about the 2017 WU19 EURO
Thursday, June 1, 2017
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Eight teams are taking part in the WU19 EURO in Northern Ireland from 8 to 20 August. Who are they, when and where are the games? All you need to know right here.
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Northern Ireland will stage the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship between 8 and 20 August. This is the 16th edition of the eight-team tournament.
Who is in it?
Northern Ireland qualified as hosts, with the other seven teams coming through qualifying. England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland and Spain all advanced as elite round group winners; holders France took a berth reserved for the best runners-up.
What are the groups?
Group A: Northern Ireland (hosts), Germany, Scotland, Spain
Group B: Italy, Netherlands, France, England
What is the format?
Each team plays the other three sides in their group over the course of seven days, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals. The winner of Group A takes on the Group B runner-up, with the winner of Group B up against the Group A runner-up.
The last four also qualify for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. As hosts, France are already assured of a place so if they are among the semi-finalists then a play-off will be held between the two sides that finish third in their groups to determine who takes Europe's remaining place.
When are the fixtures?
Group stage: 8, 11, 14 August
Semi-finals (+ play-off if required): 17 August
Final: 20 August
Where are matches being played?
National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast
Mourneview Park, Lurgan
Shamrock Park, Portadown
Ballymena Showgrounds, Ballymena
How can I get tickets?
Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for children and are available at the stadiums and via Ticketmaster.
Who is Sweet Caroline?
A first for the WU19 EURO – the finals mascot! Designed by schoolgirl Eadie Fallis as part of a nationwide competition. There was another contest to name it, with fans voting online for Sweet Caroline. The 1969 song of the same name by Neil Diamond is a favourite on the terraces in Northern Ireland.
What's that I can hear?
The tournament song, perhaps? Singer-songwriter Triona released 'Days Like These' in June. The video features former Northern Ireland international Ian Stewart and current women's U19 forward Rebecca Bassett. It was filmed at the childhood home of George Best and the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.