Coaches react to play-off draw

By Kevin Ashby

The coaches of the Czech Republic and Italy both feel climatic conditions could play a part in their UEFA European Women's Championship play-off, while Finland's Michael Käld was happy to avoid Norway.

Eight-team tournament
The three remaining berths for next year's finals in England will be settled when the play-off matches conclude. Finland play Russia, Iceland tackle Norway and Italy face the Czech Republic over two legs with the winners joining the hosts and Sweden, Denmark, France and Germany in the 19 January draw for the eight-team tournament.

Inside information
Czech coach Dušan Žovinec was content with a draw which will enable his side to play the second leg of their tie at home. "We wanted to draw Italy as they have dropped a little bit in terms of quality having failed to qualify for the Olympic Games and the [2003 FIFA Women's] World Cup," he said. "We have plenty of information on them as our former player Jana Novakova is a coach at Milan."

Winter help
The prospect of a home match in December also pleased Žovinec. "The colder the better," he said. "Winter could be on our side." Italy coach Carolina Morace was in agreement with her counterpart's last statement. "We're a bit worried about the weather in the Czech Republic in December. We would have preferred to play that leg in Italy."

'Total respect'
Having Morace on the sidelines could give the Azzurre an advantage, however, as the coach has appeared in two European Championship finals, Italy's defeats in 1993 and 1997. She told uefa.com: "We don't know too much about the Czechs as we have never faced them during my time as Italy coach but I think we have an even chance of progressing. We have total respect for them and will give everything as we always do."

Ranked third
That 1993 final was lost to Norway, the Scandinavians adding to their triumph under a different format in 1987. Ranked third in the world, Åge Steen's side will want to live up to that billing when they take on Iceland having finished behind Denmark in qualifying Group 2. Steen said of Norway's opponents: "We feel that we know more than enough about Iceland - we have followed them closely over the last few months."

'Strong and experienced'
Iceland coach Helena Ólafsdóttir was not surprised at being paired with the 2000 Olympic champions. "It was almost clear who we would play," she told uefa.com. "I haven't studied the Norwegian team but we'll do it now. They're strong and experienced so the matches will be tough. Who we will face is not the biggest issue - it is more a case of being clear about what we can achieve."

'Dangerous strikers'
Like Iceland, Finland qualified as one of the two best third-placed teams. Saturday's 1-1 draw against Sweden - played in front of a record crowd approaching 3,000 - set up a tie against Russia which is difficult to call. "We would much rather face Russia than Norway," Käld said. "Russia's form has been up and down, although they got better towards the end of qualifying. They have two dangerous strikers in Natalia Barbachina and Olga Letiouchova and we have to be wary of their threat."