Finland prepare 2009 bid
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Article summary
Finland are preparing to bid to host the 2009 UEFA European Women's Championship as they seek to capitalise on the sport's growing reputation.
Article body
The Football Association of Finland (FAF) is preparing to bid to host the 2009 UEFA European Women's Championship as it seeks to capitalise on the recent growth of women's football in the country.
'Logical step'
Finland was praised for its hosting of the 2004 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, and the FAF executive committee has decided to build on that goodwill by bidding for the senior tournament in four years' time. "We have decided to apply for Women's EURO 2009," said FAF president Pekka Hämäläinen. "We felt that after our national team's success in England [at UEFA Women's EURO 2005™], and with the high domestic interest towards the women's game, the logical step is to host the high-profile tournament."
Future target
Finland surprised many by reaching the semi-finals of UEFA Women's EURO 2005™, and the man that guided them there, Michael Käld, was delighted with the prospect of leading his side on home soil. "I am very happy about the decision," he said. "It aims to take women's football here a step further. Our team has proved that it can compete with the best, and we have many young girls who are potential women's national team players in near future. It would be great to host the finals, to give those young players a target."
