Morning:
6°c
Professionalism in men's football is often associated with the need to remind players not to be caught staggering out of nightclubs or engaging in drunken brawls but for England's women it embodies a transformation that has put them one step away from European Championships glory tonight.
Hope Powell's side take on defending champions Germany in Finland looking to complete a remarkable journey that has been 40 years in the making.
Although the Women's Football Association was formed in 1969, it was not until 1993 and the formation of a Women's Football Committee that a female movement in the game gathered pace.
Powell became the first ever full-time senior women's coach in 1998 and over the last 11 years, England's women have evolved into a major force on the international stage. Captain Faye White believes it is down to developments behind the scenes.
White, who also plays at centre-half for Arsenal Ladies, said: "The set-up has become a lot more professional now in terms of how many times we are able to train and how often we get together as a team.
"In recent years, we have held training camps to prepare for big events whereas 10 years ago we would get together for a couple of days before and then play a major game.
"We now have exercise scientists with us who have all the knowledge of specific training programs and can tell us how to recover properly after matches. And players now are on central contracts for the first time this year, which has enabled us to balance our lives a little bit more.
"It's hard to work full-time and then train outside of that. We now have stability to say we don't have to go out and work extra hours to make up for the football because we are getting that support from the FA now."
White is expected to captain the side despite seven stitches in her head which will force her to wear a face mask in Helsinki tonight and the 31-year-old revealed her team-mates are aware of the legacy they could create for women's football in England should they upset the odds tonight. Men's Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce, John Terry, David Cameron and Prime Minister Gordon Brown are among those who have sent messages of support and White said: "Over the years, the media coverage has been getting better and we know we need success to take our exposure to the next level.
"We know if we give everything and get a bit of luck, we can beat any team over 90 minutes.
"Germany are going to be a massive test because they are European Champions but we relish being the underdogs because we can play without fear."
