Wylie on cloud nine as NI women draw Spain and Germany
Boss can't wait to pit strengths against the very best in Europe
Alfie Wylie cannot stop smiling these days – and little wonder.
The much-respected football coach who manages Northern Ireland’s women is not just daring to dream, he’s living it.
“It doesn’t get much better than this,” he said.
Wylie was speaking to Downtown & Cool FM at Belfast City Hall – a fitting majestic setting for the spectacular ceremony accompanying the Women’s Under 19s Euro draw.
“It is quite surreal and just shows you how far football here has come,” he said. “We are really proud to be hosting this event.”
Wylie is under no illusions about the task ahead.
His side were drawn in the same group as last year’s runners-up Spain, Germany and Scotland – although avoided England, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
They will begin their campaign at the National Stadium at Windsor Park on August 8 when they will meet Spain.
“The organisers have been unbelievable,” he said “There has been a fantastic amount of work put into it.
“I can’t wait to get started."
Michael O'Neill was a guest at yesterday draw.
"The girls have put a fabulous amount of work into it," he said "We need to get more of these events here - we have got a stadium fit to host this sort of event."