Karen Stupples picked as Solheim Cup wildcard

England's Karen Stupples has been named as one of four wildcards in the European team for next month's Solheim Cup against the United States.

Captain Alison Nicholas picked Stupples, Spain's Azahara Munoz, Swede Caroline Hedwall and Germany's Sandra Gal as she completed her 12-woman team.

Europe will be looking to win back the Solheim Cup from the US at Killeen Castle, Ireland from 23-25 September.

"I'm confident in my team and I believe we will do very well," Nicholas said.

The four wildcards will line up alongside Scotland's Catriona Matthew and the Swedish trio of Maria Hjorth, Anna Nordqvist and Sophie Gustafson, who qualified from the world rankings.

Four others - England's Melissa Reid and Laura Davies, Norway's Suzann Pettersen and Holland's Christel Boeljon - had already earned their places in the team from the Ladies European Tour's Solheim Cup points' list.

The US have won the last three Solheim Cups and eight of 11 editions of the event since it was launched in 1990.

Nicholas added: "These players represent the best of European women's golf and we look forward to putting on a magnificent show for the fans."

European team: Melissa Reid (England), Laura Davies (England), Suzann Pettersen (Norway), Christel Boeljon (Holland), Maria Hjorth (Sweden), Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Catriona Matthew (Scotland), Sophie Gustafson (Sweden), Azahara Munoz (Spain), Caroline Hedwall (Sweden), Karen Stupples (England), Sandra Gal (Germany).

Captain: Alison Nicholas (England).

Assistant captains: Joanne Morley (England) and Annika Sorenstam (Sweden)