SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan told The Herald: “We have discussed it on several occasions. We’ve not made any commitment, or put our toe in the water, but 2017 could still be a possibility.”
“A lot of financial and people resource is required to stage a championship,” Regan said. “When I came in to the Scottish FA there was a big job to do internally, and I couldn’t let other things interfere with that. But there is no reason why we shouldn’t consider major events in the future. The city of Glasgow is also keen to get involved.”
UEFA are examining a proposal to expand the number of nations in the Finals from 12 to 16 for 2017, and despite the stadiums in Scotland not meeting the criteria for the men’s game, in the women’s game Scotland’s stadia meet the requirements even with the increase in teams proposed.
The final of the EURO 2009 championships in Finland attracted just under 16,000 fans – currently the highest attendance this season for the women’s game in Scotland was just under 800 when Glasgow City took on Valur in their last 32 Women’s Champions League clash.
Last week when I interviewed Potsdam head coach Bernd Schröder and their press officer Nadine Bieneck, it was stated that the Women’s World Cup which had been held in Germany last year boosted the attendances at the Women’s games across the country and they saw that evidence at Potsdam also. So if the SFA can attract the 2017 Women’s EURO Championships, it could boost the attendances of the women’s game domestically.
UEFA have not started the hunt for the 2017 host country yet, and won’t be until the 2013 finals in Sweden, with the decision made the following year.
The Scotland women’s side has never qualified for either a European Championship or a World Cup place, but after a great start to their 2013 EURO qualifying campaign which saw them beat Israel 6-1 earlier this month and Anne Signeul’s side in fine form ahead of their clash against Wales tomorrow night that could all change.
A question for all our readers – would you attend games in a Women’s European Championship tournament in Scotland?
Source: The Herald
