Column: UEFA Nations League offers up exciting new challenges for the women's game

With Europe's biggest and best set to go head-to-head and those at the bottom given a chance of success, there's plenty to like ahead of this week's big kick-off...

Rivals England and Scotland will go head-to-head in Sunderland on Friday. Image: Sportimage

It's another step into a new era for the women's game in Europe this week as the first ever UEFA Women's Nations League gets under way.

The tournament, which splits nations into three leagues based on their current ranking, will eventually lead into the Euro 2025 qualifiers, and comes with some pros and cons, but it's hard to not believe the pros outweight the cons for the women's game at this stage.

The premise follows the men's tournament which was created a couple of years ago. The top 16 nations have been split into four groups of four in League A, meaning we get competitive matches, not friendlies, such as England vs Scotland, Denmark vs Germany and Sweden vs Spain on the opening day alone.

While Sweden vs Spain should be a mouth-watering rematch of last month's World Cup semi-final, the Spain team will be unrecognisable, but the outcome of these four groups will lead into a semi-final and final in February, meaning we also get some tasty knockout football and a winner, before Euro 2025 qualifying begins in the spring of next year.

Two years ago, we were being treated to games such as England 20-0 Latvia, which let's be honest few people enjoyed. England learned very little, Latvia learned very little, now we're getting a great rivalry between England and neighbours Scotland, as well as Netherlands vs England next week, a derby match for head coach Sarina Wiegman.

While the lower ranked teams in League A may feel a bit stitched up by a system which could see them relegated when the leagues reset for Euro qualifiers next year, the complicated system in place will mean nations in Leagues B and C also get a chance to qualify for the European Championships in Switzerland, which realistically in the old format would never have happened when they were placed in groups with some of Europe's elite.

It also won't let teams off the hook. Norway, Italy and Switzerland for example all need to move forward after the World Cup, but can't ease their way in playing the likes of Moldova and Armenia, they will have to be straight on top of their game to compete and avoid relegation to League B.

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In League B, we get another local derby between Republic of and Northern Ireland, a game which could well decide who gets promoted to League A. The biggest thing is everyone is matched by competitiveness, which should mean gone are the days now of double-figure scorelines.

League C is a huge opportunity for smaller nations to finally build some momentum, and some of them will even get the prize of promotion, a rare celebration, and a chance to compete in League B with some more established teams next year, so they don't lose out on more competitive battles completely, but certainly get a more balanced shot at success.

While 99% of the games are on Friday, the action actually kicks off between Israel and Armenia on Thursday night. Israel is actually investing quite a bit in its women's programme right now, and they are one of many nations who will benefit from this format, a real chance to win games, gain some interest from their supporters and again potentially gain that promotion place to League B, which will mean going against one team relegated from League A. See how it swings nicely from competition to competition? Everyone gets a good shot at both ends of the competitive spectrum.

Latvia, who conceded those 20 goals to England less than two years ago, host Malta, another team who has been on the up in recent years. For the players and staff, it can only be a good thing heading into games for once knowing you actually have a realistic chance of success. Yes, there is the odd con in that those same players and staff also loved the opportunity to play Europe's best, but this will allow them to build slowly and sustainably in the long-term.

The format from day one all the way through to Euro 2025 is complex, but people will soon wrap their heads around it. But the Nations League is replacing uncompetitive friendlies, competitive matches which aren't really competitive, and is giving us ultra-close matches in all leagues, plenty to play for, promotion and relegation and a final tournament between the best four sides the continent has to offer.

What's not to like?!