I'm really excited as Euro 2009 is just about to start, with England hoping to become Champions of Europe! The tournament is being played in Finland and we're currently in Laiti, where our first match is. We play Italy tonight to kickstart our tournament. Other teams in our group are Russia (who we play on Friday) and Sweden (who we play on Monday).

The games are all live on Eurosport (Sky 410 and Virgin 521) so support England in Euro 2009!

England v Iceland
Thursday 16 July 2009
Colchester United FC
Kick off 7.45pm
Ticketline: 0845 437 9089
Or buy tickets online at http://www.cu-fc.com/page/TicketNews...

England v Denmark
Wednesday 22 July 2009
Swindon Town FC
Kick off 7.45pm
Ticketline: 0871 223 2300

Faryl Smith took time out of her busy singing schedule to join in with one of the Girls’ Football Week events last week. Here’s what she thought…


I had so much fun at the Girls’ Football Week event I went to in Loughton, Essex. I love football and it was an honour to be asked by The FA to take part in one of the many events that were going on around the county last week to promote girls’ football.

At Loughton there were hundreds of girls taking part in loads of different skills drills and mini games. I met Casey Stoney, who plays for Chelsea’s women’s team and England, and joined in with her and the girls in the sessions. I really enjoyed it, although I think my keepie uppies need a bit more practice to rival Casey’s! The day was really well organised and some of the girls that turned up looked like they could be pros one day. I was really impressed!

I’ve been a football fan ever since I can remember. I first started playing when I was about seven when I used to go and watch my older brother play at weekends and was desperate to play in his team. Unfortunately I was too young so I decided to get some of my friends together and we formed a team ourselves called Kettering Generals Girls.

Most of my friends still play for the Generals and they’ve been doing really well recently, coming runners up in their league and cup. Unfortunately my singing commitments now mean I don’t have time to play but I still go and watch them whenever I can.

Every time I go to a Generals match my friends remind me of the goal I scored from the half-way line a few years ago. I’m a right back so I picked up the ball in defence, ran past a couple of the other team’s midfielders and just hit the ball as hard as I could. I couldn’t believe it when the ball went over the opposition goalkeeper and into the net! My friends all thought it was like Beckham’s goal for Man Utd and it’s definitely still my favourite football memory.

Making friends is just one of the many benefits of playing football. It’s great for keeping you fit and building discipline. It’s also great for team work as it doesn’t matter what you do off the pitch when you’re on the field you all become one and support each other. I’d encourage any girls interested in getting involved to take a friend along to a local club and give it a go. Make sure you train hard but most importantly just relax and enjoy it! You never know after a bit of practice you could be scoring goals from the half-way line like me and David Beckham!