Colchester date for England and Iceland

UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finalists England and Iceland will meet in Colchester on 16 July as the start their last few weeks of preparations for the tournament in Finland from 23 August until 10 September.

Friendlies
The teams will face off at the recently-opened home of Colchester United FC before both meet Denmark in further friendlies in England – Iceland on 19 July and the home team three days later. England manager Hope Powell, whose side this year have beaten Finland twice, won the Cyprus Women's Cup and defeated Norway 3-0, is expecting a good game against Iceland. "Playing Iceland and then Denmark in July will provide us with top quality opposition that will test the character and endeavour of the squad as we count down to Finland," Powell said.

Important tests
"Both these teams will be bringing strong squads to England in terms of their own preparation for the EUROs so the games will be a good gauge of where our squad is at and what level we will need to be playing at to compete and do well this summer. We are really looking forward to the double-header in July and building on our good form so far this year, it will be great to keep the momentum going all the way up to Finland. It will also be our visit to Colchester's new stadium and we are hoping for a great crowd."

Finland finals
Powell's team, who have won their last four fixtures against Iceland, open their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ Group C campaign against Italy on 25 August before facing Russia and Sweden. Iceland, whose last pre-finals game is their opening 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier at home to Serbia on 15 August, begin their fixtures in Finland a day before England against France in Tampere, with holders Germany and Norway also awaiting in Group B.

UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ tickets are now on sale. For details click here.