At 2:30 EST, the Women’s World Cup final game was underway. A confident, fit and determined United States team faced a patient, inspiring and finessing Japanese team. Just four months after a tsunami and earthquake shook the nation, leaving 25,000 dead, the Japanese team had reached the World Cup final for the first time. With a team of vets and youngsters, Japan was confident in their abilities to participate in another upset and bring the cup home for its country.
Homare Sawa, captain and star midfielder, was playing for her 5th time in the world cup, and after tonight’s game she had surpassed Marta as the top goal scorer. For that, she received the Golden Boot and Golden Ball in addition to the cup that can be largely attributed to her final goal in the 117th minute. She put her team back in position for a shot at the cup and they took the opportunity. Their goalkeeper, Ayumi Kaihori, was named player of the match for her excellent game, including her two saves during PKs.
Though Japan had never won a game in its 25 matches against the United States, had won no world title before, and had only advanced past the first round once previously in the World Cup, they took it to us today. They showed that they too can make big plays and weave through world class defense. They disproved the notion their goalkeepers are not as good as those of other countries. They proved to the world that the game of women’s soccer is changing. That the competition is fierce and that the list of legitimate contenders for national titles is no longer short.
Whether or not you were cheering for Japan, it would be hard to call them a team that you would root against. A team, known as
Nadeshiko, a beautiful flower in Japanese, proved that they could be just that for their country that had seen so much in the past months. Some of the team had friends die in the earthquakes, and all spoke of what it would mean to take the cup home with them. After months of sorrow, Japan finally had something to cheer for. The players were fighting for their country, playing to lift a nation. They did that after making 3 of 4 PKs to the US’s 1. They played a great game and were rewarded for converting their goal scoring opportunities.
Japan won and the US goes home empty handed. Though I am disappointed, I liked what Abby Wambach said after the game. “Maybe their country needed them to win more than ours country needed us to win.” The recognition that sometimes, it just isn’t meant to be. It was Japan’s turn. And so, I will walk away happy in knowing that women’s soccer continues to spread around the world.
And in knowing that the Olympics are just around the corner. GO USA! I am proud that you’re my team.
-HD
July 18, 2011 | Categories: Futbol, PK, Soccer, Women, World Cup | Tags: Abby Wambach, Ayumi Kaihori, beautiful flower, Earthquake, FIFA Women's World Cup, Final, football, Go USA, Goalkeepers, Golden Ball, Golden Boot, Homare Sawa, Japan, Marta, Nadeshiko, Olympics, Penalty Kicks, PKs, Pride, soccer, Tsunami, United States, women's soccer, Women's World Cup, World Cup Final | Leave a comment
One of my favorite parts of watching professional soccer is the commentary. I love the additional facts given about the game, probably because my mom has always been the queen of useless knowledge, and I am always looking for good facts she doesn’t know. Whatever the reason, I thought today would be a good time to share some facts that I learned today while watching the 3rd place game.
1. The No. 1 keeper from France is not playing in this year’s tournament due to some problems between her and other players on the team. The coach, rather than jeopordize the cohesion of the team, decided to take the second ranked goalkeeper instead. Berangere Sapowicz picked up a red card when France played Germany and was replaced by Celine Deville. Today Sapowicz hurt her ankle and was again replaced by Deville. There’s a lot of keepers in the French mix.
2. France’s victory in this tournament was helping the spread of women soccer in their country. While it is estimated that about 40% of the Swedish population is following their women through the tournament, France has little support from the French population. By making it to the semifinals, they may have changed how the country views women’s soccer. Maybe moms will sign their daughters up to play soccer or daughters will asked to join a team. I think we have a lot to see from France in the future.
3. This is Sweden’s first game against a European opponent. Sure, I could have figured that out on my own, but I didn’t have to. Thank you commentators.
4. Most first string Swedish players can play soccer as a profession. They make enough to live on. Something that I never thought of though, is that many of the second string players and most of the French team usually have to work a second job to make ends meet. I suppose that is the case for a lot of professional athletes around the world, but I think it shows how much commitment and love for the sport these women have.
5. Ok, so this isn’t really a fun fact, but I have never seen this happen in soccer, ever. Not when I was playing and never in a professional match. Charlotte Rohlin was defending Elodie Thomis on Sweden’s end of the field when Thomis bumped Rohlin on an attack. At first we thought Rohlin might be hurt, but really her contact had fallen out and she was putting it back in. First, how the heck was she able to find it? Second, I think it’s awesome that she she just put it back in right off the grass.
6. On the other end of the field, Jossan Oqvist of Sweden fell while defending Sonia Bompastor. When Bompastor kicked her, she retaliated by kicking Bompastor in the stomach. She was given a red card, which was the 1st ever sending off of a Swede in the World Cup.
7. So apparently there was an incident 5 years ago that ended one players career and caused a lot of controversy. I searched high and low and could not find the record of it, but I am seriously interesting in knowing what happened between these two teams, so this is really a request for information on the fun fact. Any help? The facts I got from the brief conversation the commentators had was that one player’s career was ended by the play, that one of them is now a coach and I think her name was Lamberg. Yeah, not much info for research on the topic. Not forgetting what happened in the past might have lost France on the game because playing a man down actually seemed to force Sweden to step up their game. Update: I found the incident. Check out the post here.
8. Marie Hammarstrom scored a goal in the 82nd minute, giving Sweden the edge over France. This was her first ever world cup goal. Apparently, Hammarstrom is a twin and her sister is a goalkeeper. Seems their practice together paid off.
9. Sweden’s world cup dance is a Nordic Polska that the team does when they score or win. They got to dance off the field tonight.
10. The Swedish coach did not shave during the tournament. Though they didn’t get the cup, he will be able to shave with a bronze around his neck.
-HD
P.S. If I mess up a fact, it is either because ESPN made a mistake (doubt it) or I misheard the fact (probably). If you see a problem with what I have here, let me know the true info and where I can read up on it and I’ll change it.
July 16, 2011 | Categories: Futbol, Soccer, Women, World Cup | Tags: 3rd place game, Berangere Sapowicz, bronze, Celine Deville, Charlotte Rohlin, Commentary, contact, Elodie Thomis, ESPN, FIFA Women's World Cup, France, Fun Facts, Germany, Goalkeepers, Jossan Oqvist, Keepers, Marie Hammarstrom, Nordic Polska, Red Card, Soccer Facts, Sonia Bompastor, Sweden, Useless Knowledge, women soccer, World Cup | Leave a comment
The World's Sport 
Fun Facts (a.k.a. Useless Knowledge)
One of my favorite parts of watching professional soccer is the commentary. I love the additional facts given about the game, probably because my mom has always been the queen of useless knowledge, and I am always looking for good facts she doesn’t know. Whatever the reason, I thought today would be a good time to share some facts that I learned today while watching the 3rd place game.
1. The No. 1 keeper from France is not playing in this year’s tournament due to some problems between her and other players on the team. The coach, rather than jeopordize the cohesion of the team, decided to take the second ranked goalkeeper instead. Berangere Sapowicz picked up a red card when France played Germany and was replaced by Celine Deville. Today Sapowicz hurt her ankle and was again replaced by Deville. There’s a lot of keepers in the French mix.
2. France’s victory in this tournament was helping the spread of women soccer in their country. While it is estimated that about 40% of the Swedish population is following their women through the tournament, France has little support from the French population. By making it to the semifinals, they may have changed how the country views women’s soccer. Maybe moms will sign their daughters up to play soccer or daughters will asked to join a team. I think we have a lot to see from France in the future.
3. This is Sweden’s first game against a European opponent. Sure, I could have figured that out on my own, but I didn’t have to. Thank you commentators.
4. Most first string Swedish players can play soccer as a profession. They make enough to live on. Something that I never thought of though, is that many of the second string players and most of the French team usually have to work a second job to make ends meet. I suppose that is the case for a lot of professional athletes around the world, but I think it shows how much commitment and love for the sport these women have.
5. Ok, so this isn’t really a fun fact, but I have never seen this happen in soccer, ever. Not when I was playing and never in a professional match. Charlotte Rohlin was defending Elodie Thomis on Sweden’s end of the field when Thomis bumped Rohlin on an attack. At first we thought Rohlin might be hurt, but really her contact had fallen out and she was putting it back in. First, how the heck was she able to find it? Second, I think it’s awesome that she she just put it back in right off the grass.
6. On the other end of the field, Jossan Oqvist of Sweden fell while defending Sonia Bompastor. When Bompastor kicked her, she retaliated by kicking Bompastor in the stomach. She was given a red card, which was the 1st ever sending off of a Swede in the World Cup.
7. So apparently there was an incident 5 years ago that ended one players career and caused a lot of controversy. I searched high and low and could not find the record of it, but I am seriously interesting in knowing what happened between these two teams, so this is really a request for information on the fun fact. Any help? The facts I got from the brief conversation the commentators had was that one player’s career was ended by the play, that one of them is now a coach and I think her name was Lamberg. Yeah, not much info for research on the topic. Not forgetting what happened in the past might have lost France on the game because playing a man down actually seemed to force Sweden to step up their game. Update: I found the incident. Check out the post here.
8. Marie Hammarstrom scored a goal in the 82nd minute, giving Sweden the edge over France. This was her first ever world cup goal. Apparently, Hammarstrom is a twin and her sister is a goalkeeper. Seems their practice together paid off.
9. Sweden’s world cup dance is a Nordic Polska that the team does when they score or win. They got to dance off the field tonight.
10. The Swedish coach did not shave during the tournament. Though they didn’t get the cup, he will be able to shave with a bronze around his neck.
-HD
P.S. If I mess up a fact, it is either because ESPN made a mistake (doubt it) or I misheard the fact (probably). If you see a problem with what I have here, let me know the true info and where I can read up on it and I’ll change it.
July 16, 2011 | Categories: Futbol, Soccer, Women, World Cup | Tags: 3rd place game, Berangere Sapowicz, bronze, Celine Deville, Charlotte Rohlin, Commentary, contact, Elodie Thomis, ESPN, FIFA Women's World Cup, France, Fun Facts, Germany, Goalkeepers, Jossan Oqvist, Keepers, Marie Hammarstrom, Nordic Polska, Red Card, Soccer Facts, Sonia Bompastor, Sweden, Useless Knowledge, women soccer, World Cup | Leave a comment