Bit early I Know but a couple of things have come to light ..

Japan and Brazil are going to USA for the `She Believes Cup`with USA and England ... to replace France and Germany who are staying in Europe to prepare for the World Cup in France ..

Scotland and Switzerland will be back in the Algarve Cup, 2019. I have flights booked for £60 return ... priority and 2 cabin bags, not bad. Basic fare (and small bag) only £36 ..

Thank you sir.  Denmark and of course Portugal will also compete, China are usually among the teams. Fixtures as and when available.

For those who may not know, the matches are played all across the Algarve and admission is free. A lot of dates are likely to be 'double headers' ie two games on the same day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening on the same ground.

Two more regular contestants will not be at the Algarve Cup 2019 ... currently losing a bit of its shine.  South Korea will take part in a four team tournament in Australia, along with Argentina and New Zealand. It isn`t yet clear what France and Germany will be doing, but don`t rule out the possibility of a four team at some of the World Cup venues as well ...

From being No.1 a few short years ago, the Algarve Cup could be 4th division this year .. and being last at everything does not help ... as above USA and Australia have revealed their matches ... and Cyprus Cup is also published ..

The teams of Spain and China have declared for the Algarve Cup it seems, making six at the mo together with Scotland, Portugal, Switzerland and Denmark.

With Australia, S Korea and Japan from last Winters tournament opting for elsewhere, I guess the organisers will be trying for another half dozen to make their usual dozen, ..... if  Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Norway, Iceland, Russia all return from last Winters comp that would make quite a good quality field.

Would be nice to see the Germans and/or the French tho I'd be surprised if their prep for the imminent World Cup included the Algarve.

Looking forward to it already...... 

Despite having a national and youth teams which are far superior to the national men's teams, the Canadian Soccer Association appears to provide little real support for our national women's team.   My family has attended international games in Canada which attracted more than 20 000 spectators proudly wearing their red and white supporters' regalia.   Yet, it is unable to provide up to date information on our participation in tournaments such as the Algarve Cup.   Local media in the Algarve virtually ignores the tournament, resulting in "crowds" of 50-60 swelling to 200 for finals in the cavernous Algarve stadium.   Meanwhile thousands of  Canadian snowbirds would be delighted to attend if they knew when the teams were playing and game locations and dates.   Add to this the tens of thousands of snowbirds from the UK, Germany, Netherlands and Scandinavia and the visiting teams would feel much more appreciated.   With larger crowds, organizations would find it easier to find sponsors with deeper pockets to bring back the former more competitive teams to the Algarve Cup.  There is a huge audience of ex-pats, winter long-stay and shorter vacationers as well as local fans looking for diversions such as this but they need to be informed.   It is now the second week of January, only 6-7 weeks from the tournament and no-one seems to know when it will be held, who is playing, where the games will be played, what is the schedule, ...   It's time someone took charge and supported the amazing skills and enthusiasm of millions of young women eager to represent their countries on a world class stage.

We have been saying the same for years Denis. It applies to all forms of sport and entertainment in Algarve, not just women's football. 

Case in point. A few years back I accidentally discovered the date that the tour of Algarve cycle race had a stage finish in Albufeira. As this happens every year, and every year the first we hear of it is when the stand goes up opposite McDonalds - 24 hours before - I e-mailed them and asked if they could send some flyers that I would distribute around the bars owned by friends so that folk would actually know the event was taking place. Not even an acknowledgment of receipt of the e-mail was forthcoming...        

There is as yet no confirmation of the teams taking part this year, although as you have read several of the top nations who previously came have been 'invited' to play in more lucrative tournaments elsewhere. My man in the know says that all arrangements are in the hands of the Portuguese Football Association and that we can expect confirmed information around the end of January.

Fliers were printed last year and could be picked up eg in supermarkets but publicity in local media was very poor. But then that is the case for most sports and events as we have become used to. Local press does not even publish most kickoff times for what little football there is, so the casual fan has little hope of getting to a game.

Couldn`t agree with you more Ookpik ... I have already e-mailed the FPF on that level.... no `liaison`between FPF, Councils and Tourism Algarve means it could become a dead duck. Will it be more than a wet kick-about .. ?

But, it worked .. they have published the basic prog .. Change of format for 2019 ... teams get three games over four dates Feb 27, Mar 1, 4 and 6, by the looks of it ..

no fixtures yet ...  cheers

Oh, so close to a full house guesstimate! 

Eleven out of twelve..... just missed Poland in for Russia.

Looks like four games on each of the first three dates followed by the six playoff matches on day four..... which would bear a similarity to previous years.

**Theyd have to come up with a system to differentiate the four Group winners et al.

Maybe no draws [penalty shootouts for a point] and/or goal difference, like the Atlantic Cup later this month. 

** Now I see that Soccerway have announced a way to sort out the playoffs. The Groups appear to be seeded. A and B to play off.....the two winners for the title, runners up for 5/6 and third teams for 9/10. Likewise for C and D to decide 3/4, 7/8 and 11/12.

Equally good news is that 7 of the 12 teams have qualified for the FIFA World Cup in France this year so the calibre of play should be good.   Unfortunately, Sweden's fine team missed out for France but will be very welcome in the Algarve.

I am starting a rumour that the Swedish and Dutch teams are bringing surfboards with them in case the weather is as bad as it was last year!   Watching them body surf in Lagoa while waiting to play in the final was a testimony to their wonderful spirit.   Since this will also  be the Carnaval weekend, we can guarantee good weather for soccer since the heavens will be co-operating .

Denis

As an aside, the covered area of the seating was largely denied to the spectators by police type yellow tapes.   Security refused to allow people to sit in these seats despite the heavy rain.   They were reserved for the non-existent media, dignitaries, politicians and Donald Trump.

The Algarve Stadium field is currently being used by the Third Division team of Louletano, whose 'crowds' of around 200 fit easily into the available seats.

The Gibraltar national team played some European Championship qualifying games there, notably against Scotland when about 8,000 were in attendance. Gibraltar's own stadium has now been passed as suitable so those games won't happen again.

There will be some 'winter break' matches during late January and February featuring teams from the colder parts of Europe but this year also China. See http://www.theatlanticcup.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.theatlanticcup.com/

But, yes, other than the occasional friendly or U-23 match the stadium is a faded relic of Euro 2004 as are some others in country, built for the tournament but far too big and expensive to operate for the local teams, whose crowds are numbered in hundreds rather than thousands.

Strange one here ... from the Swedish FA site:

Så spelas Algarve Cup för Sverige
27 februari Sverige-Schweiz
1 mars Sverige-Portugal 

4 mars Shweiz-Portugal

6 mars placeringsmatcher

Obviously, everyone knows their dates ... still searching and found ..

27 Feb -  Iceland - Canada

1 Mar   -  Scotland - Canada

4 Mar   -  Scotland - Iceland

6 Mar   -  placings matches   (no venues revealed yet)

At least these ties fall into line with what has been put out earlier, these teams are in Groups A and D.

I suppose its natural that the individual FA's will be aware of the fixtures before we great unwashed. 

Am looking forward to the whole picture!

Confirming what we thought .. yes .. FOUR games on each of the first three days,

then SIX games on Wed Feb 6 for placings  ... probably no `double-headers` ..

Norwegian FA have their fixtures, date and time ... so

Feb 27 -  Denmark - Norway       Algarve 1315

Mar  1  -  China - Norway          Albufeira 1315

Mar  4  -  Denmark - China            ?

Mar  6  -  placings

Now have the final group ... from http://www.onsoranje.nl/teams/207834/overzicht" rel="nofollow - www.onsoranje.nl/teams/207834/overzicht

Feb 27 - Spain - Holland

Mar   1 - Spain - Poland

Mar   4 - Holland - Poland

Mar   6 - placings

Algarve Cup 2019 - in date order  -

Feb 27 - Spain - Holland, Sweden - Switzerland, Iceland - Canada, Denmark -Norway

Mar 1   - Spain - Poland, Sweden - Portugal, Scotland - Canada, China - Norway

Mar 4   - Holland - Poland, Switzerland - Portugal, Scotland - Iceland, Denmark - China

Mar 6  - Placings

Anyone who pays to see that information is plain stupid!

I don't see it mentioned above, so a reminder that admission to these games is free.

Just to be clear Ookpik, there are no semifinals. 'Finals day' It is simply a crossgroup configuration between teams with similarish records.

ie The two group winners with best records play for tournament champions/runnersup, .... and so forth downwards...... until the two teams with the worst records playing for 11th/12th.

It is by no means certain that the 'top' match will be at Est Algarve, I feel. Looks like their will be double-headers at the three named venues on that day.

Saw several Scots today at Parchal, sizing up the opposition.

Canada 0 - 0  Iceland. Canada should be kicking themselves for not winning this game. Iceland's defence were all over the place early on, to the extent that one of their players was booked for persistent fouling after 12 minutes! Canada had two very good wingers who delivered some good crosses but no-one was able to do much with them. There were a couple of half chances that were blocked on the line rather than saved. As the game went on, Iceland's goalkeeper Sandra Sigurdardottir grew in confidence and dealt with everything that came her way. Iceland did get one good chance when a horrendous give-away on the half way line was seized. Luckily for Canada two defenders recovered quickly enough to retrieve the ball just before a shot could be fashioned. Another counter-attack ended with a cross / shot clipping the crossbar

The second half was much of the same. Iceland's dogged defending was frustrating Canada's players and the three hundred or so fans in the crowd.

Iceland improved as the game went on and did almost threaten on a couple of breakaways. The usual flurry of substitutions disrupted the game late on. Canada did draw one fairly good save from the goalkeeper ten minutes before time and later fluffed a couple more opportunities.

Other results I know

Norway 2 -1 Denmark and Sweden 4 - 1 Switzerland

Highlights of all three - http://www.fpf.pt/News/Todas-as-not%C3%ADcias/Not%C3%ADcia/news/20530/contextid/1111" rel="nofollow - https://www.fpf.pt/News/Todas-as-not%C3%ADcias/Not%C3%ADcia/news/20530/contextid/1111

Today in Albufeira - Norway 3 - 1 China

Decent crowd of three hundred maybe but far fewer Chinese than in recent years. A game of two halves, in which Norway dominated the first period scoring three times, each time aided and abetted by terrible defending. Norway's second goal was definitely an own goal as the video shows, a good one at that. China's one goal chance was denied by an excellent save by the Norway 'keeper.

China changed things ant half time, Norway probably held back a bit. China were far better organised in the second half, Norway managed just two goal chances. China tried and tried but couldn't anywhere while fluffing two very good chances. It wasn't until the very last minute of normal time when arguably the best move of the match was rounded off with a fine pass, take and shot from 10 yards.

Video highlights at http://youtu.be/F78Z6XztVOc" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/F78Z6XztVOc

One aspect of the game was the ludicrous application of offside. Several times the flag would not be raised until several seconds had elapsed and play seemingly continuing. Towards the end, a Norway player was clearly offside when the ball was played to her, she controlled the ball and passed 30 yards to a colleague across the field, who in turn controlled it.  Fully 15 seconds had gone by without a Chinese player being anywhere near the ball. Then up went the flag, presumably because Norway had gained an advantage from the pass played from an offside position! Confusion abounded.

Match stats to compare with we normally have to suffer here.

Free kicks conceded : China 13, Norway 10

Offside : China 4, Norway 2

Shots on target : China 2, Norway 5

Shots off target : China 6, Norway 8

Shots blocked China 0, Norway 2

Corners : China 1, Norway 5

Yellow cards : just the one for a Chinese player.

Elsewhere, Scotland held Canada until the 81st minute when a goal by Sinclair broke the deadlock. That was the only goal of the game.

And just finished in Albufeira and watched on TV, Portugal 2 - 1 Sweden a winner in added time for Portugal against opponents reduced to 10 after a sending off just before half time.

There was another example of this insane offside ruling at the top level. A Portuguese player was well offside just over the halfway line when a long pass was hit hopefully towards the corner. She ran fully 50 yards after the ball and of course the flag didn't go up until she actually touched it. What do the officials and the idiots who decide such things think a player is going to do having run that distance? No-one else was within 25 yards by the time she got there.

I plan to be at the Iceland v Scotland game on Monday providing the kickoff is still at 1400hrs.

Great result for Scotland today, beating Iceland 4-1 at Parchal. They almost completely dominated the match to the extent that Iceland managed only two shots at goal, one they scored and one that missed by a long way. Scotland also played the entire first half without conceding a free kick other than being once offside. (in contrast to Friday, all but one of the offside decisions were quickly and sensibly given.)

Scotland did though manage to get yellow card early in the game.  But no free kick? An Iceland player clearly handled the ball, but was clattered moments later by Weir before the referee had time to blow the whistle.

Scotland took the game to Iceland who had their goalkeeper to thank for keeping the score down with some good saves and good handling of crosses.

Below, disgusted looks on Icelandic faces just after Scotland went 3-0 up on 56 minutes with a goal well taken buy Kim Little.

https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">

Barely a minute later, Scotland's 'keeper Lynn had no chance with a well taken shot low and hard from Sara Gunnarsdottír but Scotland quickly restored their three goal advantage.

https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">

Lizzie Arnott (23) reacts first to stab a rebound past the 'keeper for goal number four.

https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">

The game wasn't quite over, Lynn howls at her defenders as a cross sails past unchallenged.

https://postimages.org/" rel="nofollow">

But after that Scotland closed down the final few minutes quietly and efficiently for an excellent resulted that was well appreciated by the hundred or so fans. If I have any criticism, Scotland played 'keep ball' a little too often when a bit more thrust could have created more goals against disorganised opposition.

I read that in Wednesday's final game Scotland will play either Portugal or Denmark, but where and when remains to be seen.

BBC match report - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47446653" rel="nofollow - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47446653

Match stats :

Free kicks conceded : Iceland 8, Scotland 3

Offside : Iceland 3, Scotland 3

Shots on target : Iceland 1, Scotland 9.

Shots off target : Iceland 1, Scotland 2

Shots blocked : Iceland 0, Scotland 2

Corners : Iceland 2, Scotland 4

Yellow cards. Scotland definitely 1, possibly 2. Second one not shown on official stats etc but I am sure I saw one in the second half.

Wasn`t able to make the game ...  finals day (having to scrape around for times/venues) ..

.. they have just confirmed 2100 ...

1.º  Polónia - Noruega  in Parchal, 1800
3.º Canadá - Suécia      in Stadio Algarve 1700
5.º Escócia - Dinamarca in Stadio Algarve 1315
7.º Suíça - Espanha       in Albufeira 1315
9.º Portugal - Islândia  in Parchal, 1430
11.º  China - Holanda in Albufeira 1715

A good flying catch  by Swiss goalkeeper Thälmann

Final placings ...2019 ..

Iceland did well to blunt the Canadian attack and their goalkeeper was very effective on the few attempts on target.   Scotland played very well and deserved a tie but gave up a sloppy penalty to end their chances.   Sweden really struggled in the first half but came on well in the second half, providing the only decent shot on net of the game which, fortunately, just hit the crossbar.

The surprise of the tournament was the performance of the top teams: Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Canada; all of whom under-performed.   Their managers and coaches will be concerned about their teams for the upcoming World Cup in June.   Of course the biggest surprise was a final involving much lower ranked teams, Norway and Poland.

The Canada-England match in April should provide a much better insight as to how well these teams might perform in June in France.   England certainly played an excellent game against the USA in the mini-event in the States.

It was a treat to have some real Algarve weather for the games after last year's washout.

Has to be some sort of FIFA directive on offsides I feel. The officials for the competition were not generally local [as can be the case occasionally in International tournaments over here] but worldwide....... there were several from Africa, a few from Japan/Korea, a couple from both the Antipodes and South America, one from Canada as well as the usual sprinkling of Europeans.

As a comparison, watching England Women on tv in the SheBelieves Cup in the States .... that was different, with none of the undue delays. Who knows whether that was down to FIFA directives..... or a better class of officials [all were N American, and quite experienced].

Whatever, I enjoyed the football and the large followings turning up from Sweden, Canada and the Netherlands in particular. 

I thought that some of the late calls may have been down to communications between officials. Although the common FIFA language is English, when officials come from Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia for example there must be barriers. In the World Cup they would normally use teams of officials who understand the same language.

Also we did notice that the assistants were not pressing the buzzer or probably not speaking to the referee over their intercoms until after the flag was raised, not before or even during. One would hope that the lessons learned by officials during these tournaments  will be carried through to the big event in June.

The Laws with all the directives, interpretations and instructions now stretch to 228 pages, about three times as many as when I was a ref in the dim and distant past.

Here's a good one which I should imagine that 99% of players are unaware of and probably most referees would never dare apply. Under Law 11 Offside " a player in an offside position is moving towards the ball with the intention of playing the ball and is fouled before playing or attempting to play the ball, or challenging an opponent for the ball, the foul is penalised as it has occurred before the offside offence"

Watching the Europa league last night the offside calls were made at the relevant time and there was no waiting. Saved Mr Giroud a couple of needless runs!

Time to set up a new item for 2020 event.

FIFA and UEFA seem determined to make their tournaments and TV circus events like the Club World Cup a higher priority than domestic competitions and relegate national leagues to the sidelines, in men's as well as women's football.o