THERE are now less than 50 days to go until the start of soccer's Euro 2005.

England will kick-off the UEFA Women's Championship against Finland at the City of Manchester Stadium on June 4, while the first of four games to take place at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium will be between Germany and Norway two nights later.

The buzz is starting to build around town, especially with the new trophy having visited Warrington and with Warrington Wolves having hosted their own launch of the event at the Super League game against Bradford Bulls earlier this month.

It is rare for sport of this standard to be on our own doorstep.

The German team are not only coming to the north west of England to defend their European crown - they are the world champions too - and so Warrington sports fans have the opportunity to watch live some of the best players in the world.

It is going to be fascinating to see if the years of hard work put into training by the rival nations will be enough to knock the Germans off their perch.

General football fans who have not followed the rapidly developing women's game may have preconceptions of what to expect.

Make no mistake, on June 6 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium the action will be physical, passionate, skilful and fast - and I'm not talking about purchasing a hot dog from the food kiosk in the North Stand.

In the early years of my journalism career, I found myself covering the FA Women's Cup final between Leasowe Pacific and Friends of Fulham for a national newspaper.

That was the first time I had been to a women's match and did all of my homework before attending - who's who, background statistics, that sort of thing.

But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. I was amazed by the pace of the game and the excitement that was generated. It was difficult to look down to write notes, never mind a report, for fear of missing something.

That was 16 years ago, and the women's game has advanced out of sight since then.

But don't take my word for it. There are some fine opportunities coming up to give a flavour of what is coming to Warrington in June.

Tonight, Hope Powell's England team play their penultimate warm-up game at Tranmere's Prenton Park against Scotland. The match is being shown live on Sky Sports.

Then on May 2, some of England's likely players will be appearing in the colours of Everton and Charlton Athletic as the two sides contest the FA Women's Cup final at West Ham. Rachel Brown, the Everton and England goalkeeper who paraded around The Halliwell Jones Stadium with the Euro 2005 trophy during the half-time break of the Wolves versus Bradford match, will be hoping to play in the final, which will be broadcast live on BBC1.

And finally, on May 6, England will play their last Euro 2005 warm-up international against Norway at Barnsley. The match will not be televised, but tickets are available from 01226 211211.

Tickets for the four Euro 2005 games at The Halliwell Jones Stadium can be purchased from Warrington Wolves' Wolfware shop at the ground. They cost £5 for adults, £2.50 for concessions. Call in or contact 248888.

Group B games take place on June 6, 9 and 12 and a semi final will be played there on June 16.

For the full schedule of games, and much more news, visit our Euro 2005 site on the internet at www.warringtonguardian.co.uk.