Peacock upbeat over Euro support

Converting the sceptics? Will our four users be won over?

BBC Sport summariser Gavin Peacock said he was confident the Euro 2005 tournament will raise the profile of women's football in Britain.

A European Championship-record 29,092 watched England's first game but crowds have been much smaller at other games.

"This tournament can only raise awareness and help it gain respect from male fans," said Peacock.

"Some may not respect women's football. If they saw the Finland game they could not have asked for more drama."

Peacock said the profile of the game in the United Kingdom had already been boosted, regardless of what England go on to achieve in the competition.

Coach Hope Powell knows an England win over Denmark at Ewood Park on Wednesday will secure a place in the last four - although the Danes are five places above England in the world rankings.

"Faye White and Kelly Smith are names that are becoming familiar to people," said Peacock.

POPULAR ENGLAND v Finland 5 June 29,092 fans is a record for England - and for Euro Ch'ship 2.9m viewers on BBC Two is also a record v Denmark 8 June 10,000 tickets sold so far v Sweden 11 June 14,000 tickets sold so far

"I think one or two people have been surprised by the interest in the tournament, the way it's kicked off - and the quality of play,

"The amount of build-up for the England game was very good. But it's early stages - although if England beat Denmark on Wednesday and reach the semi-finals then it will become much bigger."

Peacock said the key to women's football becoming more popular was credibility - and admitted that comparisons to the men's game were not always helpful.

"If you expect to see someone running with the pace and power of Thierry Henry, it's not going to happen," he said.

"But you have to look at it in its own right. It's improved greatly during the past decade. Fitness levels are much better, technically the women are much better and stronger as well."

In terms of public interest, it's vital England go through BBC Radio Five Live commentator Jacqui Oatley

BBC Radio Five Live commentator Jacqui Oatley said England's progress was vital to whether the tournament would ultimately be judged a success, both on and off the field.

"The game against Denmark is absolutely massive for England," she said.

"In terms of public interest, it's vital England go through. I fear it may peter out if they are knocked out.

"People might show up to watch Germany - who are a huge team - but it won't be massive.

"On the field, there's no grey area for England. It will be successful if they get to the semi-finals. But if they don't, it will be a disappointment."

Have Your Say on 606 Have you been impressed by what you've seen?

But Oatley added that she felt the tournament would ultimately have a positive impact on the game.

"England have not played a competitive match for two and a half years, so there has been no bandwagon to jump on," she said.

"But this could be the catalyst. Come the World Cup qualifiers in August and September, fans will know Rachel Yankey, Karen Carney, Faye White and Kelly Smith.

"They will be more aware and consequently more interested."

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On the BBC's 606 messageboards, the opening stages of the tournament have provoked a mixed reaction.

User 'Mackemcath' said: "If you deny that England's win was exciting or had some really beautiful moments of great skill, then either you were watching with a bag on your head or you know absolutely nothing about football."

Those views were backed by 'nikedyke', who pointed out: "Women's teams are under-funded, under-trained, under-coached and under-supported. To expect the same from our women's international side as from our men's, therefore, is unfairly expectant."

But 'The 2nd Coming' said: "I watched it to see if there had been an improvement recently. Taking into account the fact that neither England nor Finland are top sides, the skill level still seems woeful."

And that point was backed by 'Tamara De Lempickas paintbrush': "Whilst the first England game was watchable due to the scoreline, the skill on show was pretty poor all round for an international."