Women's first team pair called up for Euros

Women's first team players Emma Kullberg and Emma Koivisto will be involved in this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros after being called up by their respective countries.

Kullberg is in Sweden’s squad and Koivisto with Finland for the tournament in England which kicks off on July 6 and includes three games at the Brighton Community Stadium.

Kullberg’s Sweden are regarded as one of the favourites for the tournament and the 30-year-old defender, who joined Albion in January, is one of seven WSL players in their squad. The Swedes have reached the semi-finals of four of the last five major tournaments, losing to Canada in the semi-finals of last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo.

They won the Euros in 1984 and are in a group with Netherlands, whom they meet at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane on 9 July. They face Switzerland at the same venue four days later before taking on Portugal at Leigh on 17 July.

Kullberg will meet up with the rest of the squad next Monday ahead of a friendly eight days later against Brazil in Solna.

Koivisto’s Finland are taking part in their first major tournament since 2013 and their third Euros, one of which they qualified for as hosts. They have been drawn in a very strong Group B with Spain, Denmark and Germany, who are all regarded as potential winners.

Finland play all their games at Milton Keynes, starting on July 8 against Spain before playing Denmark there four days later and Germany on July 16.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Megan Walsh and midfielder Meg Connolly, will link up with Republic of Ireland this week for a vital World Cup qualifier in Georgia on 27 June, which has been rearranged after being postponed earlier in the year because of Covid. Ireland warm up for the game with a friendly against Philippines in Antalya, Turkey on 19 July.

Albion midfielder Libby Bance is on standby for England under-19s European Championship squad. The tournament starts in Ostrava, Czech Republic on 20 June.