Germany crowned champions again

SHANGHAI, 30 September 2007

Germany created history by becoming the first team ever to retain the FIFA Women’s World Cup as they defeated Brazil 2-0 in Shanghai on Sunday evening. Birgit Prinz and Simone Luadehr were the goalscoring heroes, while goalkeeper Nadine Angerer maintained her incredible 100% clean sheet record with a brilliant penalty save from top scorer Marta.

Brazil gave the defending champions a tough time and had by far the better share of possession, but in the end could not find a way through a strong German defence expertly marshaled by Ariane Hingst.

The contrasting styles of play made for an exciting encounter. Brazil used their pace and close control to try and get behind the backline, while Germany’s build up was often more patient and deliberate, looking to carve a path their way through. Both sides had their chances in a fiercely contested first half.

For Brazil, Formiga could only manage to stab the ball wide after a Daniela free kick caused a scramble in the box, while Daniela herself saw a spectacular volley hit the post with the goalkeeper well beaten. As the half wore on, Brazil were left to try their luck from distance as Germany continued to deny them that final yard of space they needed to get a clear chance on goal.

Despite this Brazilian pressure, Germany had the better clear-cut chances, with Garefrekes and Smisek failing to find the target when given time and space in the penalty area.

They came out in the second half with renewed pace and decisiveness. This pressure took only seven minutes to pay off when Sandra Smisek got through the right channel and laid the ball back for Prinz, whose first-time shot had enough pace to go under Brazilian keeper Andreia.

The Germans were in front and everything about their body language said they had the strength and drive to remain so.

It was not without scares, however. Despite having timed countless tackles to perfection, on 64 minutes Linda Bresonik tripped Cristiane, giving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Marta’s spot kick lacked the power to get past Angerer, who was able to save to her right.

Obviously disappointed, Brazil refused to give up. Cristiane and Marta in particular ran themselves into the ground for the cause, but there was always a German body in the way.

As a final throw of the dice, Pretinha, scorer of the late, late winner against Denmark came on in place of Tania. But it was German substitute Fatmire Baramaj who won the corner from which Laudehr headed in their second and etched Germany’s on the trophy once more.

Special Olympics and FIFA launch “Global Football” partnership

SHANGHAI, 30 September 2007

On the day of the Women’s World Cup Final and two days before the Special Olympics Summer Games in Shanghai, the Special Olympics and FIFA joined forces to launch their “Global Football” partnership. This ongoing program sees the Special Olympics focusing on a single sport for the first time.

Football was chosen because of its universality, said Timothy Shriver, Chairman of the Special Olympics. It gave athletes with mental disabilities the chance to “participate in a global movement – the chance to be seen for people who are usually invisible.” At this year’s Special Olympics Summer Games there will be a “unified” competition, where people with mental disabilities will play with people without in the same team. This way, Shriver says, “It is no longer simply about helping someone, we are actually team-mates; all on the same level.”

The partnership with FIFA’s “Football for Hope” made Joseph S. Blatter a “very proud President of FIFA” in giving his support to “this absolutely outstanding initiative of the Special Olympics”. Citing the instinctive nature of the sport of football (“the game is so easy”), he pledged the full support of all 208 FIFA member associations to promote and facilitate greater participation across the world.

The targets are ambitious: leading up to the World Cup in South Africa, the Special Olympics want to double the number of players, train 20,000 new football coaches and increase the proportion of women players to 30 per cent. Specific programs in Africa aim to increase the participation from 10 countries to 25. “We don’t say we can change the whole world, but for our athletes it is a huge change in their world” said Shriver.

As the icing on the cake of the launch, Adidas’s regional Managing Director, Wolfgang Bentheimer presented Mr. Shriver with a cheque representing all the profits from his company’s “Rainbow Program”. Launched in May 2007, this is a specially designed range of products aimed at raising money for the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics Summer Games 2007 begin with the opening ceremony at the Shanghai Stadium on Tuesday 2 October, 2007.

Women’s Football Symposium – working progress

SHANGHAI, 29 September 2007

The 4th Women’s Football Symposium concluded with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter receiving a standing ovation for commending the Symposium Declaration. Delegates agreed, amongst other things, to establish development plans, seek active partnerships with government, media and business, and to develop greater opportunities for girls and women from grassroots to the top level.

Mary Harvey, former US international and host for the event, repeatedly emphasised that women’s football was not a narrow concern. This was about teamwork: “This is not us versus them. This is about us doing something terrific together and enabling women to have more opportunities to play sports.”

The carefully structured format of the presentations meant that the event remained focused, succinct and business-like, despite predictable calls from the floor for more money and vague platitudes about “awareness raising”.

Key to avoiding these generalist traps was careful planning and strategy. Partners should not be merely approached, they should be courted with ideas and proposals that will help them achieve their own aims. Instinctive lobbying of only the Sports Ministry should be supplemented with strategies that looked at how women’s football campaigns can help achieve aims in Education and Health Ministries. Research and targeting was crucial.

In the private sector, New Zealand’s “Small Whites” grassroots football programme has secured sponsorship and shared marketing deals with multinationals eager to reach the young families to whom football appeals. The self-funding project has been so successful that in rugby-obsessed New Zealand, football is now the number one sport with young people – boys and girls.

Stories about the overwhelming popularity of the game were common throughout. Chile, which hosts next year’s U20 Women’s World Cup, was able to boast of an U14 tournament where four new teams were made up of players who just came on their own. One of these girls had come 40 miles and went on to be named player of the tournament.

Another important cause was“credentialising” the women’s game – helping people and the media understand more that there is nothing odd or inferior about female football. At times it was right to strike a different path from the men’s game: development of female coaches, referees and administrators was essential for providing role models and keeping girls and women in the game when their playing careers are over. However, there was nothing wrong with using existing structures and interest in the men’s game. The English FA’s simultaneous kit launch (where Faye White took equal billing with David Beckham) was just one example of how profiles can be raised through co-operation with the men’s game.

Peter Jenkins, President of the St Kitts and Nevis Football Association expressed the concerns of many when he said that “stigma and discrimination are critical points that continue to hold back the growth of women’s football.” An inspirational presentation from Pakistani politician and proud “soccer mom” Rabina Irfan highlighted how much can be achieved with the right plans and partnerships, no matter the fierceness of traditionalist opposition. The Pakistani National Women’s League is now in its third year and is looking to set up regional competitions to accommodate all the teams that wish to participate.

Adapting FIFA’s slogan as “For the Game. For the World. For the Women.” the 4th Women’s Football Symposium proved the many ways in which women’s football is developing at all levels all over the world, from Namibia to New Zealand.

Now that key factors have been identified and examples of success championed, it remains to be seen how well these will be used to bring to full fruition Mr Blatter’s promise that “The future of football is feminine.” It looks like a good start.

FIFA 4th Women’s Football Symposium Declaration

Brazil stun the US to book place in final

HANGZHOU, 27 September 2007

A sparkling individual show from Marta and yet another strong team performance gave Brazil an emphatic victory over the 10 women of the USA. After a fortunate early own goal put them ahead, the Brazilians combined strength and finesse to storm into Sunday’s final against Germany.

Right from the outset Brazil were intent on showing they were not afraid of being aggressive against the strong, tough tackling Americans. The US gameplan was the same as in previous games: direct balls to the front and aggressive defending at the back. With the Brazilians quicker on the turn, if not in a straight sprint, the US defence was reduced to American football-style block tackling.

Brazil took the lead on 20 minutes when Leslie Osborne, under no pressure, stooped low to head into her own net. Similar gasps of surprise greeted replays of the sublime Marta walzing past two defenders to beat tournament debutant Briana Scurry at the near post just seven minutes later.

As US coach Greg Ryan noted after the match, at 2-0 Brazil had only had one shot on goal. But their superiority on the ball was clear and the likelihood of them emerging victorious was increased two minutes into injury time when Shannon Boxx was sent off for a second bookable offence. Caught out again by delightfully fast footwork as Daniella and Marta played a quick one-two, the referee had no option but to produce the second yellow for a deliberate body-check.

Brazil took complete control in the second half as Marta, Maycon, Daniella and Cristiane found more and more space in a stretched US defence. At times they seemed almost surprised to find themselves in such open positions and wasted some excellent chances.

On 56 minutes, Cristiane made no mistake, sliding the ball past a helpless Scurry from Marta’s cross. Marta continued to give Tina Ellertson a torrid time down the left wing, turning her inside out on numerous occasions. Her second and Brazil’s fourth goal was worthy of any game of football at any level. Flicking the ball with the back of her heel, she span around Ellertson, collected the ball, dashed past Cat Whitehill and drove the ball into the back of the net.

It is hard to say whether the US would have crumbled so definitively had they had 11 players on the field. However, their tactics against such a fluid Brazil side made it more likely that one of their players might get sent off. This devasting defeat – their biggest ever – brings to an end an astonishing 51-match unbeaten streak. There can be no complaints.

Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos was naturally pleased with the win, but insisted 1-0 would have been just as good as 4-0. He cautioned against complacency, saying “We still haven’t won anything. This was the semi-final. We have a lot of work to do before the game against Germany.”

It will take something special to derail the Germans, who brushed aside a strong Norway team 3-0 in the earlier semi final. But, as they proved again tonight, this Brazilian team is very special.

Attendance: 47,818

USA 0

Brazil 4 (Osborne 20 og, Marta 27, 79, Cristiane 56)

Sepp Blatter – Football Genius

HANGZHOU, 27 September 2007

He’s not the top man in international football for nothing. Responding to questions at an official press conference in Hangzhou ahead of the USA vs Brazil semi-final, Sepp Blatter said of the host team’s performances:

“The Chinese team did well, but some of the other teams did better. Otherwise China would be in the semi-final now.”

He refused to be questioned further on whether the Pope was a Catholic or where bears did their business…

The knock-out stage begins

Only FIFA’s confused handling of typhoon Wipha threatened to overshadow the smooth progress of the Women’s World Cup.So many positives for the women’s game have followed the gruesome 11-goal thrashing of Argentina by Germany in the opening match. Brazil have turned on the style in a way beyond their men last year, North Korea embarrassed the US, England progressed beyond their group for the first time and all in front of near-capacity crowds and high viewing figures worldwide.

Germany’s demolition of Argentina was a false start for the tournament, which has witnessed a level of fitness, professionalism and sophistication beyond expectations. The list of truly excellent matches – including China v Denmark, England v Germany, USA v North Korea, Brazil v Denmark – has far outweighed the walk-overs. In fact, only three teams out of the sixteen could be labelled as significantly weaker.

Each of the teams in the quarter finals will fancy their chances. Top coaches Silvia Neid (Germany) and the USA’s Greg Ryan, have both confirmed the gaps between the top 10-15 teams in international women’s football are getting smaller and smaller. With increasing tactical sophistication and physical strength and stamina, even the teams lower down that ranking are able to effectively challenge the big names.

A passionate round of games on the re-scheduled final day – where Australia knocked Canada out in the last minutes and Brazil and Denmark played an epic – went a long way to divert attention from the confused response to typhoon Wipha. In the event, both Hangzhou and Shanghai were largely spared the typhoon’s wrath, so all games could have safely been played when are where they were supposed to be. That doesn’t matter now, but it was most unfortunate that at a time when on the pitch the women’s game was proving itself a serious, professional, entertaining and enthralling sport to match almost any worldwide, the organisation was drifting close to amateurism.

As the quarter finals get underway, the USA and Germany remain favourites, but Brazil have won the hearts and minds of many with their lightning fast, exuberant attacking flair. They will be tough for anyone to stop. Norway have been quietly efficient – dominating their group without attracting a large amount of attention. If they can hold their nerve with tens of thousands of home fans jeering their every move whilst creating a deafening noise for their own team, China, they should progress.

North Korea have now shown at the top international level what Asia and the under-20s tournament have known for some time – they are a very effective combination of power and pace and passing. As to where a “shock” may be likely to come, they may be one of the leading contenders. Germany have yet to be severely tested and they cannot afford to miss chances as they did against Japan. The suspicion remains, however, that Germany will be able to move up a gear as and when the situation demands.

For all their promise and progress, it would take something very special for England to get past the USA. The Americans have not been on top of their game, and England may see a chance to use a similar gameplan to the one that worked so effectively against Germany. But they will need others to share the burden of expectation placed on Kelly Smith. A first tournament goal from Aluko (if she starts) could be priceless.

Australia will do well to contain Marta, Christiane and Daniela of Brazil. In the South Americans’ last two games they have faced very different sides – China played higher up the pitch, Brazil destroyed them; Denmark played deep and defended excellently and Brazil still won.

The most interesting game could be China vs Norway. The hosts have not had an easy time. The drubbing their received at the hands of Brazil seemed to shake their confidence and they made harder work of defeating New Zealand than they might have hoped. The Norwegians are better organised and more clinical in attack. If they can hold their nerve and shape with tens of thousands of raucous Chinese fans shouting, screaming and singing against them, they should get through.

Washout

An unexpectedly quiet day, football-wise. The matches due to be played in Shanghai and Hangzhou had understandable been shifted because of the “super typhoon” warning for Tuesday and Wednesday. However, I’ve yet to read or hear anything about a weather warning for Tianjin or Chengdu, so it was odd to see that today’s games scheduled for those locations were also postponed. FIFA’s website says all matches have been moved to Thursday “Based on the latest weather reports about the evolution of typhoon Wipha”

Presumably, what this vague sentence means is they are sure the games in Hangzhou can go ahead and will need no further postponement so they may as well shift all games, since, as they point out, only the revisions as of today are “in accordance with Art. 25, paragraph 2 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup China 2007 Regulations”. Which is handy.

Not only that, but “The new match schedule also complies with the requests of the participating teams” – including the hosts, China. What a stroke of luck…

But, of course, it’s hard to please everyone. As frustrated as some teams were about having deciding matches being played at different times, postponing the games at such short notice has infuriated players, coaches and fans alike. People have had to re-arrange travel and hotel plans in light of this blunder. FIFA’s biggest mistake here was not to immediately postpone all the games to the same time and date -keeping thier own rules and giving everyone the same notice period.

Hopefully this picture of confused incompetence will not be sully what has otherwise been an entertaining and exciting first round of games. More to follow…

Notes and trivia from week one

Media

Bearing in mind accredited media have been bombarded with emails from FIFA for almost a year about this event, it is not surprise that most things have gone very smoothly. Most journalists I’ve spoken to are satisfied with the way things have been managed, everyone has got where they have needed to be. The Media Centre is fairly well stocked, there are big TVs, internet and computer access, food and drink and countless volunteers to hand out print outs of all the relevant match info (team sheets, statistical reports at half and full time for all games, etc).

The media lunch was a little underwhelming – the “Western” part of the “Chinese and Western buffet” turned out to be French Fries and, er, that’s it.

I managed to have a quick chat with Nicolas Maignot (FIFA”media officer” – a catch-all term) on Friday evening, he said the early TV figures were looking quite promising. Germany’s first game recorded a reported 25% audience share, about the same as a good Champions League game. In Japan the share for their first game was about 21%, while in Sweden there was apparently a near 50% audience share for their team’s first match. These statistics, especially if they are anywhere near being replicated elsewhere, bear out FIFA’s claims at the start of the month and, along with the quality of much of the football played so far, go a long way to refuting the doubts and cynicism of many (including myself at times) who wondered whether the tournament could deliver at such a high level.

Press Conferences These have been entertaining, if only for the fact that no one has yet adjusted to the fact that most questions and answers must be translated into English and Chinese. Germany’s coach, Silvia Neid, had a question in German that she could have answered immediately, but after waiting through the English and Chinese translations paused, looked at her water bottle, looked back up and said “What was the question again?” The translators have been of decidedly “mixed” quality. With a couple I’ve picked up more interesting information from the Chinese than from the “English” translation. They have been rather short, too, with many journalists’ questions left unasked and unanswered. But then, we all have the chance to go to the Mixed Room afterwards to ask coaches and players questions directly. Most players have been happy to stay and chat for some time, again flanked by the volunteers.

Inside the Stadium

Volunteers - It is an army of volunteers that the Local Organizing Committee has put together. You cannot walk through or past a door or gate without seeing at least four red-shirted volunteers. Some look sheepish, some look sparkily happy, others look, frankly, bored our of their minds. Many of them do not have the English skills to deal with foreigners, but to their credit, they will rush off to grab the arm of a colleague they know can cut the mustard. I quite enjoy speaking in Chinese with them. Most of them are senior high school or university students and had to pass at least two interviews to get the gig. Do they enjoy it? “Yes, I think it is interesting and can give us a good experience.” Do they actually like football? “Just so so.” Who is their favourite female football player? “I don’t know.” Oh.

Police/Stewards - a larger police presence than I had expected. Most likely my expectations were well out. Fans are searched before they go in, and have to pass through metal detectors. Plastic bottles are not allowed to be taken in. But bottled drinks are sold in the stadium. And besides, if the plastic bottles ban was about safety, then how were the German and Japanese drummer-boys allowed in? There have been no major incidents for stewards to deal with.

The Fans - Again, there is a very good story here. Matches in Shanghai have enjoyed near capacity attendances for every game so far, and the story is similar for other venues. True, many fans have left before the end of games. True, there are a large number of group bookings. But is it a little lazy to simply say that people have been ordered to be there by the dastardly authorities? If there are hundreds of school children (in their uniforms) at football matches, who can say this is a bad thing? One downside of the non-partisan nature of most of the fans has been the prevalence of “Mexican waves” when the on-pitch action has been anything less than goal-goalmouth action. I thought England vs Germany was a wonderfully absorbing encounter (for some reason, only “encounters” are “absorbing”), but this taught, tactical battle had to compete against a Wave that went a full five cycles around the arena and was far more important to the fans than anything on the pitch. But, then, what is a World Cup for if not a carnival where people come together? There are many who argue that, contrary to many opinions, England vs Germany was actually very boring.

There have been many expats at the Shanghai games. Germany have done particularly well because of a large German multinational presence in the city, as have Japan. England have also had a very strong following – partly because English football fans get everywhere, but they also have many local fans thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the Premiership. It didn’t hurt that their first match was against Japan, either – as a taxi driver told me, “Everyone wants England to win 5-0!”

The atmosphere in the ground has been uniformly pleasant, excitable and polite. The players have reciprocated excellently by without fail applauding every corner of the ground at the end of every game. It’s all very civilized, really.

I am looking forward to the next two weeks of the tournament, though family commitments mean that I am unlikely to be able to get to any of the games outside Shanghai. Shame.

England step up

England 0 Germany 0

SHANGHAI, 14 September 2007

After steamrollering Argentina 11-0 in the first leg, Germany coach, Silvia Neid, said they expected a much tougher match against England. They got it. Hope Powell’s young England side can now genuinely be regarded as a serious proposition in the women’s game.

This tournament has already shown that women’s football can be as exciting and spectacular as the men’s game, but this game showed that it can be as methodical and tactical too.

Both sides began with a clear game plan and both sides can claim it worked. Germany shaded the game and certainly had the better chances, but then England can easily retort that those better chances were blocked or saved in spectacular fashion. Picks of the bunch were a flying block by Katie Chapman to deny Kerstin Garerfrekes on 74 minutes, and the stretched-leg save by Rachel Brown, again from a Garerfrekes shot, seven minutes later.

An evenly matched first half created few clear cut chances, though German hearts were in mouths when goalkeeper Nadi Angerer inexplicably tried and failed to head the ball clear even though she was in her area. Fortunately, it drifted wide of the goal, but England rattled Germany in a way Argentina never did.

England switched to a deeper 4-5-1 in the second half and this invited more German pressure, but the defense held firm. This deeper line made it slightly harder for England to replicate the movement that had caused problems for the Japanese defense earlier in the week. Karen Carney had a great first half, including a sensational backheel-to-backheel one-two with Kelly Smith – but seemed to tire in the second. Quick as she and Alex Scott on the other wing were, Germany’s full-backs were quicker.

A goal for either side early in the second half could have really opened the game up, and Germany always looked the more likely, despite never hitting the fluid highs of their first match (but how could they?). There were occasions when both sides launched weak long range efforts when they might have sought other avenues of attack and neither made the best use of the many free kicks awarded around the penalty areas.

This result leaves both sides looking to get something out of their final game (England must win to stand a chance of going through). Both will be confident after this determined display, befitting the noisy, partisan atmosphere created by large sets of fans from each nation.

Woman of the match: Faye White. Captain Fantastic marshaling England’s solid back line.

Miyama strikes late to deny England a dream start

**written at 01:00, Septembr 12 – please forgive any typos/errors until editing can be done after I’ve got some sleep!**

Japan 2 England 2

SHANGHAI, 11 September 2007

Japan grabbed a dramatic equaliser with the last kick of the game, but England will be kicking themselves for failing to kill the game off earlier.

After missing gilt-edged chances either side of half-time, England clawed their way back from 1-0 down thanks to two Kelly Smith goals in as many minutes. As they sought to wind down the clock rather than push for a third, they paid the ultimate price as a clumsy challenge 25 yards out allowed Aya Miyama to step up with her second free kick goal of the night.

The first half started poorly and hardly got better. If last night’s game teetered between the sublime and the ridiculous, this was decidedly dull. Stray short passes and aimless long ones became a depressing recurring pattern.

England set out their stall to flood the Japanese midfield and flummox their defence by employing Eniola Aluko as a lone striker with three forwards in a line behind her. After early unease, Japan responded by dropping deep when they were in possession and maintaining a frighteningly efficient off-side trap of which George Graham’s Arsenal would have been proud.

Few clear cut chances were created by either side, but neither England’s fans nor their bench could believe it when Aluko missed an open goal. Miho Fukumoto in the Japanese goal had raced out and missed the ball, pushing Aluko wide and closing down the angle, but the miss could prove costly in the race for second place in the Group behind Germany.

Kozue Ando came on for Japan in the second half and was given much more of a license to go forward down the right wing. She caused no end of problems and her surging runs led the attacks that forced both free kicks for the goals.

Having gone 1-0 down on 55 minutes, England rallied strongly and could have had a hat full of goals before Smith equalised – Japan defended in numbers and needed to as Aluko and Smith had efforts cleared off the line.

Eventually the pressure paid and Smith was able to stab home on 81 minutes. Just two minutes later, she found herself with room to run down the left and to take the ball around two Japanese defenders before smashing it into the back of the net at the second attempt. In celebrating her first, she kissed her own boot. Her team-mates were on hand to oblige this time around.

But the celebrations were premature. From a promising counter-attack position, England tried to play down the clock at the corner flag, but, as so often with both teams on the night, just could not hold onto the ball. A late knock for Sarah Brown was not excuse enough to be beaten again as much because of poor positioning as by the placement of the free kick. England applauded the crowd, but left the field looking and probably feeling as if they had lost, while Japan were able to bask in the delight of their many, many fans in the Hongkou Stadium.

Woman of the Match: Kelly Smith. She played an important role in a well-intentioned tactical ploy of switching forwards around all game. She was the spark in any England attack and, crucially, the only one with the clinical finishing necessary at a World Cup Finals.