Familiar path for Germany at Women's EURO 2013

Holders Germany have been pitted against the Netherlands, Iceland and traditional rivals Norway after the UEFA Women's EURO 2013 final tournament draw was made in Gothenburg.

Germany, aiming for a sixth straight title, will encounter Norway for the third group stage running in this competition after the pair were drawn in Group B in a ceremony conducted by UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino and UEFA Women's EURO 2013 ambassadors Steffi Jones and Patrik Andersson.

Hosts Sweden are up against Denmark in the opening game in Gothenburg before facing Finland and Italy in Group A. France, meanwhile, take on 2009 runners-up England, Russia and Spain in Group C.

For the full final tournament schedule, click here.

Each section will be played at two venues: Group A at Gamla Ullevi (Gothenburg) and Örjans Vall (Halmstad), Group B at Växjö Arena (Vaxjo) and Kalmar Arena (Kalmar), and Group C at Nya Parken (Norrkoping) and Linköping Arena (Linkoping).

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 on 24 July in Gothenburg and and the following day in Norrkoping. The final is on Sunday 28 July at the new Friends Arena in Solna near Stockholm.

Karen Espelund, UEFA Executive Committee member and UEFA Women's Football Committee chairwoman, said: "Women's football is winning ground at a resounding pace. Around 70,000 people watched the Great Britain women play Brazil this summer at the Olympics. The UEFA Women's Champions League final in Munich was played in front of 50,000 and the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany attracted record TV audiences.

"There is great momentum for women's football in Europe and the next great event in Europe is UEFA Women's EURO 2013 and it could not come at a more exciting time for the game."

UEFA Women's EURO 2013 group stage draw
Group A (Gothenburg/Halmstad)
Sweden (hosts)
Italy
Denmark
Finland

Group B (Vaxjo/Kalmar)
Germany (holders)
Norway
Netherlands
Iceland

Group C (Norkopping/Linkoping)
France
England
Russia
Spain