Top > Sport > 2006 > May > 2006-05-02

Russia Secures Place at UEFA Women`s Championship

The last ticket for the UEFA European Women`s Championship for Under-19 participants was booked by Russia. The second round qualifying stage has been concluded in Israel with a third successive victory for Russia. Russia`s 2-1 win over Finland takes them to the finals, along with hosts Switzerland, France, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.

In the other Group 2 game in the qualifying round on Sunday, Portugal recorded a 2-0 victory over Israel, thanks to a Carolina Mendes chip and a powerful drive by Filipa Galv?o, but they could only finish in second place behind Russia. The finalists at this year`s UEFA Women`s Under-19 Championship will learn their fate when the tournament draw is held in May. Basle is the setting for the draw, which will be conducted at half time during the men`s full international between Switzerland and Ivory Coast on Saturday 27 May.

Six Swiss cities will stage the event as the eight countries are split into two groups of four to produce semi-finalists and a final on 22 July. The former home of Swiss top-flight side BSC Young Boys will be one of the locations, with the 14,000-capacity Neufeld Stadium in Berne hosting the final. One ground currently in use in the Swiss Football League is the home of FC Schaffhausen and the 7,300-capacity arena will be utilized for the Women`s U19 showpiece. Other venues are in Langenthal, Winterthur, Solothurn and Wil.