Despite having qualified for the World Cup yesterday, England lost twice overnight. First to Portugal at Milan’s Arena Civica, then to Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. You’re most likely wondering what I’m talking about, but two significant international tournaments, which haven’t made much of an impression in the Australian media, have been taking place this week.

I’m referring to the 2009 UEFA European Women’s Championships in Finland and the 2009 Homeless World Cup in Milan.

It’s no surprise, and to an extent understandable, that both have failed to register in Australia. But they are certainly worth noticing.

Firstly to Finland where Germany overcame England 6-2 in the early hours of this morning to win their fifth straight European championship.

The best story for me comes not from the victors but runners up England.

Despite eventually crumbling under the German’s in the final half hour in Helsinki, Hope Powell’s England have done a lot for their sport back home.

When the tournament started late last month it was greeted by the English press with apathy.

I remember flicking through the pages of the major papers in England on the opening day of the Euros to find little or no reference to the tournament. Meanwhile, Italy’s La Gazzetta Dello Sport had dedicated nearly half a page to wish the ‘Azzure’ good luck.

However, as England persevered through to the final, and interest from the public continued to grow, the press was almost forced to give it the attention it deserved.

There are some quality players in their side, as well.

Kelly Smith is one of the finest players in the world, Fara Williams time and time again hits mean free kicks and Alex Scott is arguably one of the quickest and best fullbacks in the game.

Smith might be about to turn 31, but there are some young players in this England side. If they can improve on their decision-making when under pressure, then they have a good future ahead of them.

So, Hope Powell and this England side have forced their countrymen to take notice of the women’s game and for that, they deserve the plaudits that have been heaped upon them this week.

It seems to me that every major international women’s tournament seems to see the game rise in prominence. I am certain that eventually it won’t be able to be ignored.

While all has been rosy in Finland, the same can’t be said for this year’s Homeless World Cup.

By bringing people together to help change their lives, the Homeless World Cup reaches to the very core of what football is about. The organisers’ successful attempts to educate the public on the issue of homelessness as well are admirable.

Unfortunately poor organisation here in Milan means much of this potential won’t be reached this year. The venue is extremely isolated plus the marketing, promotion and media coverage have been under whelming.

The tournament’s finale will also clash with the Formula One Grand Prix next door in Monza, the World Boxing Championships in Milan plus a full Serie A match day. If the event had of been hosted a week earlier none of these events would have been on.

Tournament co-founder, Mel Young, told me today that there had been issues with the Global Financial Crisis hampering preparations. It’s a pertinent point but one that doesn’t completely wash with me. Word has it the absence of any of the Milan Street Press (including The Big Issue) from this years event is because of clashes with the Local Government over botched organisation.

The catch 22 is the lack of coverage of the tournament from the Italian press means we’ll probably never know exactly who is to blame for it’s failings.

Anyone who experienced the Homeless World Cup in Melbourne last year will know how special of a tournament it is.

So it’s a shame it hasn’t reached it’s potential here in Italy, a country that has such a stigmatised problem with homelessness.

Still, this week, football is helping to change the lives of nearly 500 people from 48 nations.

While FIFA and UEFA go on a crusade to cleanse football of it’s ills, it’s nice to know there’s been one tournament sticking to the game’s purest values for seven years now.

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