There may be no Euro Finals on the horizon for the Republic of Ireland Women’s team but they will get tournament experience at a crucial time of year having accepted an invitation to play in an eight-nation tournament in Spain this March.

The Pinatar Cup will bring together teams from across Europe including Wales, Scotland and Belgium to compete over a guaranteed three matches starting on 16th February and running to the 22nd.

Belgium, Scotland, Poland and Russia are all ranked between 20 and 30 on UEFA rankings; then it’s the Republic of Ireland and Wales on 31 and 33, Hungary and Slovakia on 43 and 44.

The winners of the first series of matches play against each other in the second round on February 19th and then the tournament progresses with the winner meeting and the losers meeting to determine positions from one to eight.

Ireland’s ranking would suggest we should finish fifth but a single win against Poland in the first round would propel us to the top four.

Depending on the result we would meet Hungary or Russia in the second round of matches.

The matches will take place across La Manga and the Pinatar Arena on the Costa Del Sol and promises to be a good competitive environment ahead of a crucial trip to play World number two ranked Sweden in the World Cup qualifiers in April.

Scotland won the first edition of the tournament held in 2000 and in which Northern Ireland also took part.

Ireland will not play against Slovakia if they are scheduled to meet in the third round as the two sides are in the same qualifying group for the World Cup.

“It is important that we get together as a squad and play at least one game before we take on Sweden in April. This tournament provides us with three games so that is ideal for our preparation to work with the players and give them game-time,” said manager Vera Pauw.

 

Sport for Business Perspective:

“Great idea and great timing for a tournament. We would not have the weather in February that La Manga would boast but this is exactly the kind of invitational tournament that we could host on an annual or biennial basis to give Irish fans an opportunity to see the stars in action and to keep them in peak match readiness. Maybe a June tournament in odd years when there is no major Championship.”