England Women’s captain Casey Stoney believes Lois Fidler’s U17 team will benefit from being the host nation at a European Championship Finals.
UEFA have taken the tournament on the road for the first time, and The FA’s staging of the event marks the end of its 150th anniversary celebrations.
Germany and Spain will contest the final in Chesterfield on Sunday, while England and Italy go head-to-head at Burton Albion in the third-place play-off – and for a spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s U17 World Cup.
“It will be invaluable for the players in the future.”
Casey Stoney England Women's captain
Stoney said: "It has been a fantastic tournament so far and has been a great exposure to tournament football for England, with the crowds, the pressure and being the home team. It will be invaluable for the players in the future.
"I didn't play my first tournament until I was maybe 17 in the U18s, but it was never like this, it wasn't as big as this.
"The interest in women's football wasn't there as much as it is now. It is fantastic to see over 2,000 people watching in the stands, and The FA has done a fantastic job of promoting the tournament.
"Also, it has given local schools access to games. Young girls can watch and say 'actually this is something I want to do', so it gives them role models closer to their age that they can aspire to be like."
Centre back Stoney is one of the tournament ambassadors and she has attended every England match so far – the group wins over Austria and Portugal, the narrow defeat by Italy and the semi-final loss to Spain.
And the 31-year-old has been delighted with some of the football she has seen.
Stoney added: "I've been really impressed. A colleague of mine has come to a couple of games and said he's been really impressed by the tempo of the play.
"I was really impressed by England’s two centre-halves [Leah Williamson and Gabrielle George] against Austria, the way they played out from the back, the way they stepped out with the ball, and to score six goals against Portugal is a fantastic result in European football.
"It shows all the work going in at centre of excellences, and with younger age groups, is starting to pay off."
