The England women's side will have to rewrite history if they are to become European champions on Thursday night.

The two sides meet in Helsinki at 6pm BST in the final of the European Championship.

England Women have met Germany Women 18 times, with the results sadly mirroring the England Men's team - the Germans have won 16 of those encounters, with two being draws.

England will be boosted by the return of captain Faye White, with the Arsenal defender donning a face mask to play after suffering a fractured cheekbone earlier in the tournament. 

"Faye's good. She's got a mask which has been approved by the referees, so fingers crossed," said the England coach Hope Powell.

"We've just got to check it is comfortable. She has been wearing it all day to make sure she is happy with it - and she is more than happy.

"We understand we are the underdogs and they are the clear favourites, but stats mean nothing until after the final whistle."

Germany are the defending champions, having won the crown in England four years ago, but their coach Silvia Neid tried to play down her side's tag as favourites.

"If we show what we can I don't think England can beat us but I expect a very tight contest and it is just form on the day that will decide the game. The teams are quite even," she said.

"I said beforehand that England would be one of the favourites to win the title so I am not surprised to meet them in the final."