A 16-member delegation despatched by the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Organising Committee (OC) has spent from 16 to 19 June closely observing UEFA EURO 2008 tournament procedures. The delegation focused its attentions on Salzburg, host city for three matches at the continental showdown.

"We were especially interested in space and site management, as FIFA's requirements for the Women's World Cup broadly resemble those for the European Championship," commented OC Cities and Stadiums head of section Winfried Nass.

Following a general introduction to host city Salzburg by venue manager Ulrich Wolter, set to take up the role of general co-ordinator for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 OC on 1 July, the delegation made a tour of the stadium, specifically focusing on media facilities and temporary structures.

"We deliberately chose to visit Salzburg, because the characteristics of the site and the capacity of around 30,000 are very similar to the stadiums we'll use in 2011," Wolter explained.

Eleven of the candidate host cities for 2011 - Augsburg, Berlin, Bielefeld, Bochum, Dresden, Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Magdeburg, Monchengladbach, Sinsheim and Wolfsburg - were represented on the delegation. A total of 12 cities and stadiums have bid to host matches at the 2011 event.

After closely liasing with FIFA, the OC will determine the final line-up of between six and nine host cities this autumn.