Finnish fans fly the flag

Finland fans are not only hoping that the host nation can enjoy a prolonged run at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ but that women's football can move to another level after the 12-nation tournament comes to an end.

Danish samba
As a Danish drum band hammered out samba rhythms next to Helsinki's Olympic Stadium ahead of their team's Group A meeting with the hosts on Sunday, the mood among the locals was definitely upbeat. Finland fan Mari Lampinen, who was at the game with her daughter, Roosa, summed up the feelings of many local people. "She plays football and I think it's very important to be here, and we're also proud to be hosting the tournament," she told uefa.com. "Women's football is popular in Finland and the women's team is almost as strong as the men's." Testament to that popularity was the fact that her daughter, celebrating her 13th birthday, had actually hobbled to the game on crutches after picking up an injury while playing. "See?" said her mother. "She's injured but she's still here today."

Special moment
Fellow Finn Meri Lindholm, who was in the fan area with her Under-15 team, was also delighted with UEFA's choice of hosts. "This is a really big tournament, so it's something special to have it here," she said. "It will definitely help women's football – now, and I think after the tournament as well." Though few were predicting trophy success for the Finns, Ismo Kantanen, who was at the Olympic Stadium with his two young daughters, spoke for many when he said: "I reckon they could get to the semi-finals."

Danish hopes
Naturally, though, not everyone was hoping for Finnish glory. Following the Danish drum band, whose members were spectacularly kitted out in red and white, were a group of supporters including one mother with a personal agenda. Anne Rydahl, whose daughter Julie Rydahl Bukh was about to play in Denmark's defence, said: "With a bit of luck, and avoiding injuries, I think we could go all the way. But what makes me really happy is when I read that women's football is the fastest growing sport in the world. It's a serious game now."