Swansea City are just one game away from qualifying for Europe - Swansea City Ladies, that is.

The female branch of the club topped their section of the brand new Women's Welsh Premier League and now face a crucial play-off clash against Caernarfon Town for a place in next season's Uefa Women's Club Championship.

The Canaries topped the Northern section of the league with a win at Wrexham recently, a result which kept them one point above runners-up Llanidloes.

With European entry transferred from the Welsh Cup to this new league, there is a chance that Swansea City's name will be back on the continental scene following an absence of nearly 20 years, when big names such as Paris St Germain and Panathinaikos graced these shores.

The play-off final takes place this Sunday (May 9) at New Bridge Meadow, Haverfordwest, and kick's-off at 2pm.

"There is certainly a carrot at the end," said Ladies boss Ian Owen, who has been at the helm for the past seven years.

"I'm sure that everybody in Swansea will show an interest - as footballers at our club we are certainly looking forward to the prospect of European competition.

"It's generated a whole new interest this year, we've had a lot more people coming to watch and overall it's better for the women's game."

The FAW's decision to offer the coveted Champions League to the winners of this new league was a shrewd one.

It brings Cardiff City's dominance in Europe to an end as the Bluebirds, who play in the stronger English pyramid, have qualified in each of the last six seasons as winners of
the Welsh Cup.

But in a bid to promote Women's football in Wales the Euro prize was offered to the champions of the Welsh Premier, a move that Owen hopes will encourage more girls to play their football in this country.

"It's something that will hopefully inspire girls to play in Wales and reach their top potential in our national league," he added.

"In the past we have lost a number of talented players to the likes of Cardiff and Bristol because they had the opportunity to play at a higher level.

"But hopefully within a few years the Welsh Premier will catch up and the players will realise that the standard is good and stay.

"There are some very good sides in the South Wales League [where the Swans also have a team] but the Women's Premier League does offer the next step up in competition.

"And it's given the players something to look forward to - instead of winning comfortably every week the matches are now much closer."

A comfortable victory would be welcome in the big final tie, but credit must go to the team for the effort and progression which epitomises their season - and now they are just 90 minutes away from writing a new chapter of history.

How does the song go…? "And once again all of Europe will hear the Swansea City sound."

Good luck ladies.

Admission at Haverfordwest will cost £3 for adults but under-16's and senior citizens can gain free entry.

Swansea City Ladies are always looking for new recruits - if you would be interested in joining up for 2010/11 you can contact team manager, Ian Owen, on 07817 072594 or by e-mailing fitc@fsmail.net.