England learned on Monday night that their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ final opponents will be Germany, winner of the last four editions, but manager Hope Powell believes her side can beat them to take their first major title.
Winless run
Germany defeated Norway 3-1 to reach Thursday's final at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium, where they will meet England, 2-1 extra-time victors against the Netherlands 24 hours earlier. England have met Germany 18 times and never won, though there were two goalless draws in 2007 in China, a friendly and then in the FIFA Women's World Cup group stage. That is the only game in a UEFA European Women's Championship or World Cup that Germany have failed to win since 1999.
Relishing challenge
Powell said: "Playing Germany will be very tough; they are the best team in Europe and rightly tournament favourites. But we will go into the game with confidence, and if we play our best football, we will have every chance. We will compete with them and winning tournaments like this means playing and beating the best team. We are here on merit and we are looking forward to the challenge that awaits us."
Source: www.uefa.com
