It is unlikely, however, that Ireland's bid to host the event was accepted because of any fanciful notion that sunshine might be guaranteed in Dublin during the summer; rather it was the promise by the Irish Hockey Association that the championships would be as big a success as the last major women's event to be staged here, the 1994 World Cup.

To that end, €500,000 has been spent on upgrading the hockey facilities at Belfield, much of it going on a new, Olympic standard pitch, the rest on new seating, perimeter fencing and dressingroom facilities. All the IHA need now are crowds to fill those seats.

They hope some enthusiasm from the public will start to show for this evening's and tomorrow's games against Germany at Belfield, games which form part of both Ireland and the Olympic Champions' build-up to the championships, which begin on August 14th.

Ireland finished sixth at the last championships, in Barcelona two years ago, but coach Riet Kuper has set a loftier target for her team this time around, insisting they are good enough to reach the semi-finals. To achieve that goal, the hosts will probably have to beat Spain, silver medallists in 2003, in their pool, assuming that reigning champions Holland will win the group.

"It's not often that I've set such a target," said Kuper yesterday, "but I believe this team has the qualities to do it. Our minimum aim is a top-six finish, which would keep us in the A division of the championships, but there has been a significant improvement in the team and it is full of confidence, so I believe we are capable of achieving a place in the top four."

There were no major surprises in the squad Kuper named yesterday, although Suzanne Beaney and Kristin Farrell, both of whom were in the 18 that competed at last year's Olympic Qualifier, will be desperately disappointed to have been omitted.

Armagh's Emma Stewart, who made her senior debut last year at the age of 16, is included, making her the squad's youngest player by five years. The only decision still to be made by Kuper is which two of the three goalkeepers she has named will make it in to the final 18 for the tournament; Mary Goode and Louisa Healy have impressed the coach in recent outings and will be given a chance against Germany and/or Belgium next week to take the second spot, alongside the current first-choice goalkeeper Angela Platt.

While huge strides have been made by IHA chief executive Paul Varian since his appointment last year, most notably in the field of sponsorship, the case of Ballymoney's Nicky McCaughern highlights the need for hockey to secure funding for individual players, and not just teams.

Personal circumstances made it impossible for McCaughern, player of the match in last season's Irish Cup final, to make herself available for selection for the squad, which was a source of some disappointment for Kuper, who said the player would have been "a certainty" if available.

IRISH SQUAD (for European Championships): Jenny Burke (Hermes), Lynsey McVicker (Ballymoney), Linda Caulfield (Hermes), Jill Orbinson (Pegasus), Katharine Maybin (Pegasus), Ciara O'Brien (Railway Union), Eimear Cregan (Univ of Limerick), Jenny McDonough (Belfast Harlequins), Caitriona Carey (Hermes), Bridget McKeever (Ballymoney), Fiona Connery (Hermes), Cathy McKean (Loreto), Nikki Symmons (Loreto), Deirdre Casey (Church of Ireland), Clare Parkhill (Randalstown), Emma Stewart (Armagh). Two from (all goalkeepers): Angela Platt (Ballymoney), Louisa Healy (Loreto), Mary Goode (Pembroke Wanderers).

FRIENDLY INTERNATIONALS (at Belfield) - Today: Ireland v Germany, 7.30. Tomorrow: Ireland v Germany, 4.0.