Women's EURO schedule in Sweden set

UEFA Women's EURO 2013 will begin with Italy facing Finland in Halmstad at 18.00CET on 10 July followed later that evening by hosts Sweden facing Denmark at Gothenburg's Gamla Ullevi after the schedule and kick-off times were confirmed.

The following day holders Germany open their title defence against the Netherlands in Vaxjo after Norway take on Iceland in the other Group B venue, Kalmar. On 12 July Group C begins, France up against Russia at Norrkoping and England playing Spain in Linkoping.

The three sections will then continue to play on consecutive days until the group stage ends on 18 July. Among other matches to look out for are on the last two days of the round: Germany and Norway playing for the third group stage running and France up against England, two teams who have had many tight matches recently.

The top two from each group plus the two best third-placed teams will progress to the quarter-finals, the first two in Halmstad and Vaxjo on 21 July, and the others in Kalmar and Linkoping the following day. The semi-finals will take place at 20.30CET on 24 July in Gothenburg and the following day in Norrkoping.

The final is at 16.00CET on Sunday 28 July at the new Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm. Visiting the stadium prior to the draw, UEFA President Michel Platini, said: "I was delighted to be invited to visit the fantastic new stadium in Solna. The state-of-the-art Friends Arena is a great investment in Swedish football. The decision by the Swedish Football Association to host the UEFA Women's EURO final at this stadium shows the commitment it has to the tournament."