Greg Women's football sceptic

To say I've been counting down the days to this tournament wouldn't be true.

If I wasn't going to write about these championships, the likelihood of me watching it would be about as miniscule as the chances of the English ladies lifting this very trophy.

If world rankings are a true reflection of footballing quality, then the possibly paltry crowds can expect only a brief glimpse of our country's finest, and Germany will win the tournament again.

Ranked 14th in the world, England can only look down at the Finns as lesser competition and this speaks volumes for the state of women's football in England.

Having watched the women's FA Cup for the last few years I can see why the bookmakers are stacking the odds against England.

It's not being sexist to say that women are leaps and bounds, and a couple more kangaroo-sized leaps, behind the men.

Even in the countries that promote the women's game the girls would be well-beaten by their male counterparts.

So what can we expect from this tournament?

I foresee some real wonder goals, as in 'I wonder how the goalkeeper missed that?'

But I do hope the teams prove me wrong.

A good football tournament would be great now that the season has finished.

I just can't see it happening.

Tony Football fan

"Women's Football? Not in my day."

For those of you that aren't from the John McCririck school of charm, I welcome you to read on.

Sunday sees the opening games and I honestly believe that our girls have a really good chance of winning the trophy.

For those of you who aren't that familiar with women's football and are yet to be swayed away from 'proper' football, I suggest you give it a chance.

I think you'll genuinely be impressed with the skill, heart and tenacity that these ladies play with. There is no shirking of challenges and they are every bit as full-blooded as their male counterparts.

Their technique is also of a very high standard.

I'm sure you'll see a replay of Kelly Smith's long-range thunderbolt against the Czech Republic - I defy you not to be impressed.

England - as seems usual with these tournaments - start as third or fourth favourites, with Sweden, Norway and, of course, Germany seen as the better bet.

The Germans are indeed red-hot favourites to win - they are the current holders and have won the last three championships.

An England-Germany final is very much a possibility and I wonder then how many newspapers would take up the cause and throw some much-needed publicity the way of the women's game?

I expect England to win their first game against Finland comfortably. If they get a good result against Sweden they will surely make the semis and begin to dream of lifting the cup for the very first time.

With each and every football tournament there is an overwhelming sense of optimism that the English national team can actually win - and this time I don't believe it's misplaced.

Laura Potential women's football convert

The general lack of interest in women's football could be attributed to the lack of opportunities available to girls and young women.

Schools may be partly to blame for this, as I know that personally, at my high school, girls were never encouraged to participate in football.

I've grown up with the idea that football is solely a male sport.

Football is something which I feel brings people together.

But women's football should play an equally important role in this gathering of the masses, if not just to make people aware of its existence.

That would help budding young female footballers to feel that they too can be capable of playing inspirational football.

This tournament has definitely made me more aware of women's football.

I'm off to England's opening game - this will be my first ever full football game - women's or men's.

So it will be a great opportunity and will hopefully give me a whole new insight into the sport itself.

Andy Sun sports journalist

Women's football is blossoming - but will it ever outstrip shopping as a girl's favourite way to spend a Saturday afternoon?

At the moment the answer is clearly no. The female game is living in the immense shadow of the Premiership, FA Cup and a nationwide network of well-established men's leagues.

It is just a slower, less skilful version of something that already exists, so why snub Thierry Henry, Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney to watch a bunch of honest, hard-working but far less technically gifted girls have a go?

It is true that the same was no doubt said when William Webb Ellis allegedly picked up a ball instead of kicking it in 1823 and unwittingly gave birth to rugby, at which England are now the world champs.

Had he thought about it, stopped in his tracks and said 'sorry, lads, what on earth was I thinking about?', we may never have seen Jonny Wilkinson and the boys stick it to the Aussies in their own backyard on a memorable day that still makes English chests puff with pride.

But what Master Ellis did that the women ain't is offer something different.

I wait with an open mind to be convinced that the women's European Championship can offer me something I can't get from a man... if you get my drift!

These are Andy's personal views, and not necessarily those of The Sun newspaper