You might just be able to remember, in the distant past, the European Championships held in England this June.

Ha ha. Of course you can remember. Eight of the top European nations competing in two groups? Well, the 2009 UEFA European Women's Championship finals will feature 12 teams - an increase from the current eight.
Another sign that the women's game is continuing to grow in numbers and stature.

UEFA's Executive Committee, meeting in Malta, also approved a revised competition format for the 2007/09 competition - open qualifying replacing the previous two-division system. The hosts will be automatically appointed, and a qualifying round will be followed by a qualifying group phase comprising six groups of five teams.

"UEFA's decision is partly based on the success of the [2005] competition in England, and also because women's football is growing, with more girls and women playing the game," said UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson. "We hope this will help boost the development of women's football in Europe." UEFA has been giving added emphasis to the women's game as part of its activities in recent times.