The draw for the UEFA Women’s U19 Championship took place at Belfast City Hall this afternoon, with host nation Northern Ireland, England and Scotland all involved.

Host nation Northern Ireland will face Spain in the opening game of the Championships on August 8.

The draw was conducted by Nadine Kessler, a two-time winner of the European Championships and 2014 World & European Player of the Year, Northern Ireland Men’s manager Michael O’Neill and Northern Ireland Women’s captain Marissa Callaghan.

How did the eight nations get to the finals?

Northern Ireland qualified as hosts, England were Group 2 winners, France were runners-up in Group 3, Germany won Group 6, Italy were Group 5 winners, Netherlands won Group 3, Scotland were Group 4 winners, while Spain won Group 6. It’s the 16th edition of this eight-team tournament.

How is the Championship formatted?

UEFA explained on their official club website how the tournament was structured, saying: “The final tournament features eight teams with the unseeded draw splitting them into two groups of four.

“Each team plays the other three sides in their group over the course of seven days, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals – the winner of Group A takes on the Group B runner-up, with the winner of Group B up against the Group A runner-up.

“The competition also acts as a qualifier for the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France. As hosts, France are already assured of a place, and they will be joined by the top four teams in Northern Ireland.”

Where will the games be held?

The matches will be played in four stadiums in Northern Ireland – the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast, Mourneview Park at Lurgan, Shamrock Park at Portadown and the Ballymena Showgrounds in Ballymena.

When do the games begin?

The Group stage will be played on August 8, 11 and 14. The semi-finals will be on August 17. The final is on August 20.