Latest news from º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
21 Mar 2013
International football qualifiers to be held at University Stadium
The º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Stadium is to stage three qualifying matches for the UEFA European Under 17 Championship this month.
The matches from group 6 of the ‘elite round’ of tournament will see teams from Portugal, Russia and Slovenia competing on campus to qualify for the finals.
Only the group winners will progress to the final tournament, being held in Slovakia on 5-17 May.
The England Under 17 team complete the four teams in group 6, but the home side will play their matches at the Bescot Stadium, Walsall and the Pirelli Stadium in Burton upon Trent.
However, the proximity of º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to the new National Football Centre at St George’s Park in Burton was one of the major factors in the University being approached to stage the matches.
As England will be the home nation in group 6, the Football Association will be hosting the group matches on behalf of UEFA. Speaking about the forthcoming matches the Football Association said:
“We are delighted that the facilities at the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Stadium are going to be hosting international football this week. With four nations competing in the qualifiers for a place in the UEFA Euro Finals, some of Europe’s top young footballing talent will be on show.
“We are sure that people will enjoy watching potential stars of the future over the course of the three games.”
The fixtures are the latest major event to be held at the Stadium, which was opened in May 2012.
In the last year academy teams from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have played matches against º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Students Football.
The stadium has also hosted the legendary Barbarians rugby side and the visit of the Olympic Torch Relay.
Andy Borrie, Deputy Director of Sport at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, said:
“I am very pleased that we have been able to bring international football to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, in collaboration with the Football Association.
“The UEFA European Under 17 qualifying matches demonstrates that we can attract top class sporting fixtures to our campus, and that the stadium has been an excellent addition to our impressive range of sporting facilities.”
The dates and times for the three qualifying matches are:
| Saturday 23 March | Slovenia v Russia | 2pm kick off |
| Monday 25 March | Portugal v Slovenia | 2pm kick off |
| Thursday 28 March | Russia v Portugal | 3pm kick off |
Spectators will be welcome to attend the matches for free.
−ENDS−
Notes for editors
Article reference number: PR 13/46
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. In the 2011 National Student Survey, º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ was voted one of the top universities in the UK, and has topped the Times Higher Education league for the Best Student Experience in England every year since the poll's inception in 2006. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.
Contact for all media enquiries
Rob Knott
PR Officer (Sport)
º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ
T: 01509 228686
E: R.A.Knott@lboro.ac.uk