The FA shares UEFA’s ambitions to grow the women’s game and, following the success of this summer’s UEFA European Women’s Championship in the Netherlands, will officially enter into the bidding process later this year.

In March this year The FA launched its ‘Gameplan for Growth’, with the aim to double participation and create a sustainable and successful high-performance system for women and girls football.

The FA’s strategy to grow women’s football in England outlined a key ambition to stage a major international women’s tournament in this country. Hosting a national event that culminates in a showpiece final at Wembley Stadium would give the 2021 UEFA Women’s European Championship the perfect platform. It would also help support UEFA’s ‘We Play Strong’ campaign by meeting their own ambitious plans for more women and girls to play football across Europe.

The 2017 European Women’s Championship was UEFA’s biggest ever female tournament and the Semi Final between England and the Netherlands generated a peak audience of 4 million viewers in the UK on Channel 4.

Martin Glenn, FA Chief Executive Officer, said: “The Lionesses’ performances at the Euros this summer gave the country great pride. It also showed the significant impact that hosting a major European tournament can have on growing and developing women’s football. The KNVB and UEFA really raised the bar, hosting a fantastic tournament, and we hope and believe we could meet those standards.

“UEFA share our ambitions to grow the women’s game and we believe that together we can host a tournament that would celebrate women’s football as well as inspiring the next generation and creating lasting opportunities For All.”

Baroness Sue Campbell, FA Head of Women’s Football, said: “I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact these tournaments can have in raising the profile and popularity of the women’s game at all levels. This is another wonderful opportunity to maintain the momentum around women’s football and the feel good factor generated by the Lionesses in the Netherlands. I’m right behind the bid.”

Hosting a major football tournament requires strong partnership across a range of Central and Local Authorities and this bid would form a key element of the UK Government’s support for major events.

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The Lionesses had a great campaign in the Netherlands and made the country proud. The support the team received was phenomenal and the success of the tournament has taken women’s football to new heights.

“Hosting the next European Championships would provide us with a great opportunity to further grow the game and attract the next generation of players and fans. I look forward to working with the FA as they develop the feasibility of their bid.”

To see more about the ‘Gameplan for Growth’, please visit: The FA website

Report courtesy of The FA

An under-strength Scotland team, having qualified for a major tournament for the first time, found it difficult to keep up with the pace and determination of the England side but despite that, kept competing till the final whistle.

It took England just 10 minutes to score their first goal, and it would be the first of a hat-trick for Jodie Taylor and her all round performance as well as the 3 goals earned her the Player of the Match.  Taylor who has suffered terribly from injuries for the last two years was rightly very happy with the performance.

Also on the score sheet were Ellen White – another player the Scots found hard to contain – Jordan Nobbs (with a sumptuous volley) and Toni Duggan – who replaced Taylor on the hour.

In truth the score could have been more than the 6-0, but it is extremely good to see an England team play such attacking, positive football.

In the other game from Pool D Spain beat Portugal by 2-0.

England’s next game is against Spain on Sunday, which perhaps will be a better test of their development while Scotland will be hoping they can shrug off this loss and come out fighting once again when they meet Portugal.

Sunday 23 July 2017

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam – Group D

17.00 SCOTLAND v PORTUGAL

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda – Group D

19.45 ENGLAND v SPAIN

You can see all fixtures and results so far here.

Groups and fixtures listed below, results will be updated as matches are played.

Group A: Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Belgium

Group B: Italy Russia, Germany Sweden

Group C: Austria, Switzerland, France, Iceland

Group D: Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland

Sunday 16 July 2017

Stadion Galgenwaard Utrecht – Group A

17.00 NETHERLANDS 1-0 NORWAY

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem – Group A

19.45 DENMARK 1-0 BELGIUM

Monday 17 July 2017

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam – Group B

17.00 ITALY 1-2  RUSSIA

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda – Group B

19.45  GERMANY 0-0 SWEDEN

Tuesday 18 July 2017

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer – Group C

17.00 AUSTRIA 1-0 SWITZERLAND

Willem II Stadion Tilburg – Group C

19.45 FRANCE 1-0 ICELAND

Wednesday 19 July 2017

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem – Group D

17.00 SPAIN 2-0 PORTUGAL

Stadion Galgenwaard Utrecht – Group D

19.45 ENGLAND 6-0  SCOTLAND

Thursday 20 July 2017

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda – Group A

17.00 – NORWAY 0-2 BELGIUM

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam – Group A

19.45 NETHERLANDS 1-0 DENMARK

Friday 21 July 2017

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer – Group B

17.00 SWEDEN 2-0 RUSSIA

Willem II Stadion Tilburg – Group B

19.45 GERMANY 2-1 ITALY

Saturday 22 July 2017

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem – Group C

17.00 ICELAND 1-2 SWITZERLAND

Stadion Galgenwaard Utrecht – Group C

19.45 FRANCE 1-1 AUSTRIA

Sunday 23 July 2017

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam – Group D

17.00 SCOTLAND 1-2 PORTUGAL

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda – Group D

19.45 ENGLAND 2-0 SPAIN

Monday 24 July 2017

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer – Group A

19.45 NORWAY 0-1 DENMARK

Willem II Stadion Tilburg – Group A

19.45 BELGIUM 1-2  NETHERLANDS

Tuesday 25 July 2017

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem – Group B

19.45 SWEDEN 2-3  ITALY

Stadion Galgenwaard Utrecht – Group B

19.45 RUSSIA 0-2 GERMANY

Wednesday 26 July 2017

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam – Group C

19.45 ICELAND 0-3 AUSTRIA

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda – Group C

19.45 SWITZERLAND 1-1  FRANCE

Thursday 27 July 2017

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer – Group D

19.45 SCOTLAND 1-0 SPAIN

Willem II Stadion Tilburg – Group D

19.45 PORTUGAL 1-2 ENGLAND

29^th July

QUARTER-FINALS

Saturday 29 July 2017

Sparta Stadion Rotterdam

GERMANY 1-2  DENMARK

Stadion De Vijverberg Doetinchem

NETHERLANDS 2-0 SWEDEN

Sunday 30 July 2017

Stadion De Adelaarshorst Deventer

ENGLAND 1-0  FRANCE

Willem II Stadion Tilburg

AUSTRIA 0-0  SPAIN – AET Austria win 5-3 on penalties

SEMI-FINALS

Thursday 3 August 2017

FC Twente Stadion Enschede

DENMARK 0-0  AUSTRIA AET – Denmark win 3-0 on penalties

Rat Verlegh Stadion Breda

NETHERLANDS  3-0  ENGLAND

FINAL

Sunday 6 August 2017

FC Twente Stadion Enschede

16.00 DENMARK 2-4 THE NETHERLANDS

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Carly Telford (Notts County)

Defenders: Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Alex Greenwood (Liverpool), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Jo Potter (Notts County), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Casey Stoney (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Notts County), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Arsenal)

Forwards: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Toni Duggan (Manchester City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Jodie Taylor (Arsenal), Ellen White (Birmingham City)

The Lionesses have two friendlies scheduled within the next week:

Friday 7 April 2017 = 7.45 KO at Vale Park, Port Vale FC

England v Italy

Monday 10 April 2017 – 7.45 KO at Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

England v Austria

Fixtures and groups are all below:

And it looked as if a draw would be the result after a fairly uneventful if not dull first half.

The second half was more pacey but there were too many missed passes and although trying to impose themselves England lacked any real cutting edge and at times their passing was poor.  It all changed in the 65^th minute when a pin point cross from Karen Carney was headed down into the net by Nikita Parris (her third goal in an England shirt).

Twenty minutes later Carney made it 2-0, played in with a beautiful ball from Jade Moore (who had come on for Danielle Carter at half time) Carney calmly slotted the ball past the keeper.

The Lionesses next match is a friendly against France on 21 October in Doncaster.

Tickets are priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for concessions and can be purchased from the Doncaster Rovers website.

Belgium: 1 Justien Odeurs, 3 Heleen Jaques, 5 Lorca van de Putte, 6 Tine de Caigny, 7 Elke van Gorp, 9 Tessa Wullaert, 10 Aline Zeler (C), 11 Janice Cayman, 17 Lien Mermans, 20 Julie Biesmans, 22 Laura Deloose.

Substitutes: 14 Lenie Onzia for Mermans 70

Substitutes not used: 2 Davina Philtjens, 12 Diede Lemey, 13 Tine Schrijvers, 15 Sara Yuceil, 19 Imke Courtois, 23 Elien van Wynendaele.

Bookings: Julie Biesmans

Head coach: Ives Serneels

England: 1 Karen Bardsley (Manchester City); 6 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), 5 Steph Houghton (capt; Manchester City), 4 Jo Potter (Notts County); 2 Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), 8 Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), 7 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 10 Karen Carney (Chelsea), 3 Demi Stokes (Manchester City); 9 Nikita Parris (Manchester City), 11 Danielle Carter (Arsenal).

Substitutes: 15 Jade Moore (Notts County) for Carter 45, 18 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash) for Parris 77, 23 Millie Bright (Chelsea) for Carney 90.

Substitutes not used: 13 Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), 12 Alex Scott (Arsenal), 16 Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), 17 Gemma Davison (Chelsea).

Goals: Parris 65, Carney 85

Booking: Jill Scott

Referee: Pernilla Larsson (SWE)

There was a second hat-trick for Danielle Carter on just her second appearance for the Lionesses, [although she was perhaps lucky that the first goal was given after a clear ricochet against her arm].  It took just 9 minutes for Carter to make the breakthrough, as England showed their intention to attack from kick off.

Minutes later Jill Scott added to the tally when she was on hand to nod a rebound into the net.

With barely a quarter gone Carter had her second and England were 3-0 ahead, as Estonia struggled to cope with England’s passing and movement.

For the rest of the half Estonia camped out in their own half trying to nullify England’s goal-scoring threat, a tactic that did keep England at bay until well into the second half, although the game was already won, Estonia obviously keen to keep the goal score down whilst lacking the fire power to damage England.

It seemed just a matter of time before the Lionesses would penetrate the defence and score again, and they spurned several good chances.  Carter put the game beyond doubt when the keeper could only parry a shot into her path and she was able to slot the ball into the corner.

England continued pressing and their effort was rewarded when they were awarded an injury time penalty which was ably knocked home by Karen Carney.

The Lionesses wore black armbands to mark the recent passing of Sylvia Gore and Zoe Tynan.  They play Belgium on Tuesday and will hold onto top spot of Group 7 should they avoid defeat.

England (3-5-2): 1 Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool); 2 Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), 5 Steph Houghton (capt; Manchester City), 6 Jo Potter (Notts County); 7 Gemma Davison (Chelsea), 4 Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), 8 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 10 Karen Carney (Chelsea), 3 Demi Stokes (Manchester City); 9 Nikita Parris (Manchester City), 11 Danielle Carter (Arsenal).

Substitutes: 18 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash) for Parris 60, 16 Jade Moore (Notts County) for J Scott 62, 12 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea) for Davison 74

Substitutes not used: 13 Rebecca Spencer (Chelsea), 14 Alex Scott (Arsenal), 15 Claire Rafferty (Chelsea), 17 Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City).

Goals: Carter 9, 17, 56, J Scott 13, Carney 90+4.

Head coach: Mark Sampson

Estonia (4-4-2): 1 Getter Laar; 19 Liis Lepik, 4 Pille Raadik, 15 Inna Zlidnis, 5 Ragne Hindrimae; 13 Kristina Bannikova, 8 Kaire Palmaru, 18 Kethy Ounpuu, 17 Eneli Vals, 7 Katrin Loo, 9 Signy Aarna.

Substitutes: 3 Aljona Sasova for Palmaru 57, 10 Vlada Kubassova for Bannikova 70, 11 Merily Toom for Vals 79

Substitutes not used: 22 Getriin Strigin, 14 Lisette Tammik, 16 Kelly Rosen, 20 Ketlin Saar.

Head coach: Keith Boanas

Attendance: 7,052

Notts County goalkeeper Carly Telford, Liverpool’s Alex Greenwood and Arsenal’s Jodie Taylor are all out through injury.

The Lionesses met at St George’s Park on Sunday [14 August], where they will stay for five days, before moving to Bisham Abbey on Thursday 18 August for two days.

The camp will form the start of England’s preparations for next summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros.

Sampson’s side secured qualification for the tournament in June after beating Serbia 7-0 in June.

England’s next home game is against Estonia on Thursday 15 September (7.05pm KO) at Meadow Lane, where they will look to cement their place at the top of Group 7. They will then travel to Leuven to play Belgium on Tuesday 20 September.

Tickets for the Estonia match are on sale now, priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. A family ticket is available, via phone booking only, priced £15 (two adults and two children) while group booking discounts apply.

Tickets can be bought via www.TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 0115 955 7210.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Manchester City), Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Rebecca Spencer (Chelsea).

Defenders: Laura Bassett (Notts County), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), Steph Houghton (Manchester City), Alex Scott (Arsenal), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Casey Stoney (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Izzy Christiansen (Manchester City), Jade Moore (Notts County), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Jo Potter (Notts County), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Fara Williams (Arsenal).

Forwards: Karen Carney (Chelsea), Danielle Carter (Arsenal), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Gemma Davison (Chelsea), Nikita Parris (Manchester City), Ellen White (Notts County).

Information courtesy of the FA

England have already qualified for next summer’s tournament, which will take place in Netherlands, after beating Serbia 7-0 in Stara Pazova in June.

Tickets are on sal, priced £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children. A family ticket is available, via phone booking only, priced £15 (two adults and two children) while group booking discounts apply.

Tickets can be bought from the FA  or by calling 0115 955 7210.

England beat Estonia 8-0 in the reverse fixture in September 2015, with debut goals from Izzy Christiansen and Danielle Carter, who scored a hat trick.

Notts County captain and England defender Laura Bassett said: “Meadow Lane is a fantastic stadium and I can’t wait to go there with England.

“There is a real support for and interest in women’s football in Nottingham. Hopefully having an international match here will help us to build on that and that we attract a good crowd too.

“We’re determined to top this qualifying group to give ourselves the best possible chance of success at next summer’s tournament as well as getting a win in front of our supporters in our last home qualifier.”

Matthew Alexander, chief executive of Notts County Ladies, said: “It’s an honour for Notts County Ladies Football Club to be able to welcome the national side to our stadium. Domestically, we have one of the highest attendances in the league and this is a fantastic opportunity to get the fans into Meadow Lane and demonstrate the support that the city of Nottingham has for women’s football.”

Nottingham was named the first ever City of Football in September 2014 by Sport England and received £1.6million to get more people in the city playing football regularly.

The pilot scheme also has particular focus on encouraging more girls and women to play football, along with promoting the area’s FA WSL and FA WPL clubs and supporting the women’s game as a whole.

The Lionesses will meet up for a training camp in mid-August, before the matches in September.

Report courtesy of the FA

The win takes them to the top of their qualifying group, two points above Belgium, with just two matches to go.

However, there’s no room for complacency with only the top team guaranteed a spot in Euro 2017.

Both Gemma Davison and Nikita Parris scored two goals with Jill Scott, Ellen White and the unfortunate Nevena Damjanovic credited with an own goal.

As with Friday’s match England totally dominated the game and deserved the win.

Next up for the Lionesses is Estonia on 15 September before travelling to Belgium for their final game on 20 September.

Teams:

Serbia: 1 Susanne Nilsson, 2 Aleksandra Kozovic, 4 Mirela Tenkov, 6 Nevena Damjanovic, 7 Allegra Poljak, 8 Marija Ilic, 9 Marija Radojcic, 10 Jelena Cankovic, 11 Vesna Smilikovic (captain), 13 Marija Jonovic, 21 Vajda Orsoja.

Substitutes: 16 Dina Blagojevic for Damjanovic 75, 18 Jelena Cubrilo for Orsoja 82.

Substitutes not used: 12 Milica Kostic, 14 Marijana Jankov, 15 Nikoletta Nikolic, 17 Olivera Markovic, 20 Sanda Malesevic.

Head coach: Dusan Gelic

England: 1 Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool); 2 Lucy Bronze (Manchester City), 5 Steph Houghton (captain; Manchester City), 6 Casey Stoney (Arsenal), 3 Demi Stokes (Manchester City); 4 Fara Williams (Arsenal); 7 Jade Moore (Birmingham City), 8 Jill Scott (Manchester City); 10 Karen Carney (Chelsea); 9 Ellen White (Notts County), 11 Gemma Davison (Chelsea).

Substitutes: 16 Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City) for Williams ht, 14 Alex Scott (Arsenal) for J Scott 57, 17 Nikita Parris (Manchester City) for White 57.

Substitutes not used: 12 Laura Bassett (Notts County), 13 Carly Telford (Notts County), 15 Alex Greenwood (Liverpool), 18 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash).

Goals: J Scott 13, White 28, Davison 41, 46, Damjanovic 53og, Parris 69, 90.

Head coach: Mark Sampson