News > 2008

SCOTLAND v RUSSIA – LIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF WOMEN’S UEFA EURO 2009 PLAY-OFF ON BBC ALBA

Scotland Women’s crucial UEFA Euro 2009 play-off against Russia will be broadcast live on television. This will be the first time ever that football fans will be able to watch live coverage of one of the team’s major matches.

BBC ALBA, the new Gaelic television channel, will be covering the first leg match live from Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday 26 October. The match kicks-off at 3pm and can be viewed on BBC ALBA which is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.

Scotland is ranked 15th in Europe and 26th in the world and finished third in their group to reach the play-offs of this major tournament, for the first time in their history.

Scotland will travel to Russia for the second leg of the play-off taking place on Thursday 30 October. This play-off is one of five, where each winning team will join the seven qualified teams for next year’s finals in Finland.

Live coverage of this match will complement BBC ALBA’s premier sports package which is being provided in association with MNE Media to broadcast one Clydesdale Bank Premier League match every Saturday night, on the channel over the next two seasons.

Anna Signeul, Scotland Women’s head coach said: “This is a hugely important game for Scottish women’s football and we’re very excited to be playing this crucial game at Tynecastle. It’s great news that the game will be available to a wide audience through BBC ALBA’s live coverage. We hope that Scotland fans in and around Edinburgh will turn out in force at Tynecastle, and that fans around the country will tune into the live coverage to support our bid to reach the finals of a major championship for the first time.”

Alan Esslemont, Head of Content for BBC ALBA said: “This is a very important match for the Scotland Women’s team and I wish them the best of luck against Russia. Allowing games like these to be seen on live national television is a core duty of public service broadcasting and I am delighted that we have been able to secure this match for BBC ALBA.

“There is a large and growing following of women’s football and it is fitting that this crucial match can be enjoyed and supported throughout Scotland. As a channel we seek to partner with grassroots Scottish sport and hope that together we can develop and flourish.”

Margot McCuaig, Sports Editor of MNE MEDIA said: “Women's football in Scotland has an exciting history but has suffered from a lack of broadcast coverage. This is a fantastic opportunity for audiences across the country to support the women in their bid for European success.”

BBC ALBA is providing a premier sports package in association with MNE Media, which will also televise live Scottish rugby and shinty on the new channel. Funding for the sports package has come from MG ALBA who is in partnership with the BBC Scotland to deliver high quality, distinctive home-produced programming for BBC ALBA.