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)

Favourites march on

No shocks in the quarter finals. Tears for the hosts, bloodied disappointment for England, late despair for Australia and no luck for the hard-working North Koreans.

With all defeated teams promising to learn from their experiences and looking now to their Olympic challenge (and England left battling for the right to represent Great Britain), the victors have a short rest before the semi-finals.

Norway’s quiet competence continues – their 1-0 win over China was achieved despite their opponents recording more than 20 attempts on goal. Their ability to soak up pressure and to make the most of their opportunities becomes a great strength in the knock-out stages. They will face a German side that has progressed comfortably through the competition without hitting the fluid highs of their extraordinary first game. The scoreline against Korea may have flattered the Germans, but their ability to defend in strength while always looking dangerous in attack makes them favourites once more.

Brazil conceded their first goals of the tournament in the quarter final against Australia, but again showed their outstading attacking flair to rescue the game with 15 minutes to go. Of all the teams in the tournament they best typify the “Beautiful Games. Beautiful Goals” slogan (or, in direct translation of the Chinese: “Beautiful Women’s Football. Beautiful World Cup”). The USA, on the other hand, have been direct and almost brutal in their progress. Physically strong, imposing and hard-hitting, they have been a different side to the one that lit up the previous tournament, on home soil. No less effective, they have not been one of the more exciting teams to see. The margin of their quarter final win was harsh on England, but was characteristic of the USA’s tendency to take their chances and snuff out danger. This clash of styles has all the makings of a classic semi-final.

That ought to jinx it…

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.

Brazil and Norway storm into the quarter-finals, joined by Australia and China

HANGZHOU, 20 September 2007

The combined forces of Daniela, Pretinha and 40,000 screaming Chinese fans were enough for Brazil to snatch a late win against a determined Danish side in Hangzhou. The win, combined with China’s 2-0 victory over New Zealand in Tianjin means China join Brazil in the quarterfinals.

In Group C earlier in the day, Norway made light work of Ghana, topping the group with a 7-2 victory, while Australia broke Canadian hearts at the death to grab a 2-2 draw and the coveted 2nd spot. Norway will face China, while Australia will have to think of ways to cope with Brazil’s blistering forwards.

The Danish game-plan was clear from the outset – their defensive 4-5-1 was designed to keep Brazil at bay while hoping to spring counter-attacks with pacy wingers. As a defensive plan it worked brilliantly for almost 91 minutes.

In the first half Brazil didn’t have a single chance on goal from inside the Danish area. In fact, it was Denmark who first threatened the breakthrough. After only seven minutes Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia had to be at full stretch to keep out Maiken Pape’s header.

The Brazilians became frustrated – all their speed and skill in thrilling approach work floundered at the 18 yard box. They began snatching at long shots and not coming close. For all Marta’s undoubted skill, too many times she held onto the ball for too long and promising opportunities were spurned. At half-time, Denmark were in second place as China vs New Zealand also stood at 0-0.

The majority Chinese fans in the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium were cheering every forward move of Brazil’s to the rooftops. Some went so far as to jeer and boo when Denmark had free kicks and corners. But the biggest roar of the night so far, the one that threatened to lift the roof from its impressive suspensions, came when the stadium PA announced that Li Jie had scored to make it China 1 New Zealand 0.

Chinese joy was complete on 79 minutes when Xie Caixia made sure of China’s qualification with a second goal. Petrinha’s cool finish from player of the match Daniela’s cut back was the icing on the cake, confirming both Brazil’s dominance and China’s qualification.

It was hard not to feel for the Danish team – they had given so much to yet another fantastic game in this Women’s World Cup and yet, as in their earlier epic against China, had come out narrow losers. Hopefully these matches will serve as both the enduring memory of this year’s first round (rather than the farcical opening game) and the blueprint for a future of increasingly sophisticated, competitive and exciting women’s football.

More to come on the fans (including Ghana’s infectious and tireless dance troupe) and Group C…

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…

Quarter-final line up starts to take shape

SHANGHAI, 18 September 2007

The USA finished top of their group after narrowly defeating Nigeria in a rain-soaked encounter in Shanghai. They now face Group A runners-up England in Tianjin on Saturday. Despite losing their last game to Sweden, North Korea qualified for the last eight for the first time in their history. They will face the formidable Germany, who, despite again failing to reach the highs of their first match, defeated Japan comfortably in their final group game.

Instant Predictions (aka “preparing for egg on face”):

USA – England: If they defend like they did against Germany, then England could hold the USA’s three-pronged frontline for some time. However, impressive though Kelly Smith has been so far, England probably don’t have enough speed and guile going forward to break through the fierce US defensive-line. It could come down to how well each side uses their wing-play and who wins the aerial battles. The USA will probably prove too strong.

Germany – North Korea: I haven’t seen as much of Korea as I would have liked, but they are building a reputation as being not only fast, but tough as well. Germany are as tough as they get, but have shown a few surprising weaknesses in the first round. Against Argentina some slack passing went unpunished, while their forwards seemed subdued against both England and Japan. Most money will be on Germany to prevail, but an outside bet on North Korea might not be totally unreasonable.

Match Report:

    

USA 1 Nigeria 0

Greg Ryan, USA team coach, was in diplomatic but confident form after a hard-fought victory in the pouring rain in Shanghai confirmed his side’s to placing in Group B. Praising Nigeria for their strong performances throughout the Group stage, he said of next opponents England “I expected them to make it. In the game against Germany they showed how strong they are.” But Ryan has no doubts about the abilities of his young squad: “Our team defending makes it very difficult to beat us. We’ll be able to take that into the next round and the one after. This team has what it takes to win this World Cup.”

A lucky deflection from a long-throw set-piece allowed them to take the lead on 54 seconds. For most of the game they looked sure of holding this, but Nigeria gave them some scares in the second half and in the end the Americans were glad of the final whistle.

The playing surface, which was of decidedly patchy quality before a single drop of rain had fallen, did no favours for either side. The weighting of passes was very difficult to judge as sometimes the puddles held the ball up, sometimes the slickness of the grass carried the ball faster than expected ahead of the onrushing players.

Nigeria in particular seemed to struggle at first to find a way to play their preferred fast, short passing game and somehow break down a strong, organised US defense. For the US, Abby Wambach and captain Kristine Lilly both came close, but could not extend their lead.

The last ten minutes saw sustained Nigerian pressure, with the tireless Pepetua Nkwocha setting up an excellent chance for Stella Mbachu that Hope Powell had to do well to get down and save at her near post.

Nigeria coach, Ntiero Effiom, praised his players’ performance, heralding them as proof that Africa deserves more qualifying places for the Women’s World Cup. With a little more luck or a stronger final product, they may have had the scoreline tonight to back that up.

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.