Finals venues unveiled in England

By Pete Sanderson at Ewood Park

The English Football Association (FA) has unveiled the five venues which will host the sixth UEFA European Women's Championship taking place next year in the north-west of England.

Opening game
The opening game of the tournament, pitting hosts England against one of the other three sides drawn in Group A on 5 June 2005, will be played at the City of Manchester Stadium, the home of Manchester City FC. England's other two group matches will be held at Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers FC, while Blackpool FC's Bloomfield Road will provide the third venue in Group A.

Blackburn final
The four teams drawn in Group B will have the opportunity to play at Deepdale, home of the first-ever English champions, Preston North End FC, as well as the new stadium of rugby league club Warrington Wolves. Both Group B grounds will also stage one semi-final before the final at Ewood Park on 19 June.

Last eight
Seven of the eight finalists have already booked their places at the tournament, with the last berth being secured on 27 November, when Italy and the Czech Republic complete their play-off. Hosts England qualified automatically and, although the competition is still seven months away, coach Hope Powell is anxious for the action to begin.

Home advantage
"We have not played a competitive game since the [2003 FIFA] World Cup qualifiers two years ago, so it has been a long old wait," Powell told uefa.com after hearing the venues announced at a press conference at Ewood Park. "Our team have developed a lot since then and the depth of our squad has also improved so there is no reason why we cannot make a real impact - especially on home soil."

'On the up'
Powell was also delighted with the choice of venues. "I think the north-west of England will be the perfect place to stage the event," she added. "We have seen how passionate the people are about their football here in some of our friendlies so it will be an ideal place to showcase the women's game, which is now the biggest participation sport for women in the country."

Raising the profile
The event is the first major women's tournament to take place in the United Kingdom and provides the FA with the perfect opportunity to raise the profile of the female game. England goalkeeper Rachel Brown, who plays for Everton FC and hails from the north-west, admits women's football will always live in the shadow of the men's game in England, but is anxious to see more women play.

Role models
"We know we will always be compared to the men's game," Brown told uefa.com. "But they did have over a century's head start on us. If we are successful in front of our own fans then I think the game can take off as it has in the United States and Norway. Hopefully we can then become role models for future generations."

Ticket sales
Tickets will go on sale for the tournament shortly after the final draw on 19 January. The FA has confirmed that prices will be affordable for families, with special discounts for all football clubs and schools.