Excitement controversy and brilliance Womens World Cup Reviewed

(Sorry for delay in this being posted a tree fell on my internet line!)The sixth womens World Cup was to be one of the most hotly contested ever. The womens game had reached new levels of popularity and a buzz filled Germany. What was to be witne sed over the coming month was levels of excitement, controversy and brilliance that left any football fan more than satisfied and culminated in an upset that would be forever imprinted into the prestigious history of the worlds favourite sport.The group stages got underway with France facing Nigeria in the packed Sinsheim stadium, everyone revelling in the baking sun and excitement of the first game. The game itself took a while to warm up but France eventually edged out Nigeria with a solitary goal scored by Marie-Laure Delie. In fact, the theme of narrow one-goal victories spread throughout the whole of the groups. Of the fifteen wins, nine were by a single goal, which shows the improvement of quality throughout the sixteen teams. So much so that Sepp Blatter has announced that the next World Cup will involve 24 teams, another big step taken in the development of the womens game.Perhaps the most entertaining game in the group stages came between France and Germany in a six-goal thriller. The first half saw two thundering headers crash past Sapowicz in the French net. However, France themselves pulled a goal back through Delies towering header, only for Sapowicz to bring Bajramaj down in the box and the referee gave the French goalkeeper her marching orders and Grings duly tucked the penalty away. It only took four minutes for France to reply, as the fourth headed goal of the game flew into Buck Williams Jersey the German net. The French could not succe sfully push for the equaliser and the tirele s pre sure from the Germans saw them add a fourth goal, much to the delight of the home fans, as Germany won Group A.Brazil, Sweden and England also topped their respective groups without losing a game. The five-time women DeAndre Jordan Jersey s player of the year Marta was on imperious form, alongside strike-partner Cristiane, both women scoring two goals over the three group games. USA, the top-ranked team in the world, suffered a shock defeat to the energetic Sweden, and had to be content with a second-place finish. The only other shock contained another Scandinavian team, as Norway, winners in 1995, had an early exit after losing to Brazil and Australia.The group stage games did not go by without controversy though. Many refereeing decisions came under scrutiny and perhaps the most bizarre of them in the game between Australia and Equatorial Guinea. Australia hit the post and it bounced straight to Guinea defender Bruna, who, perhaps thinking an offside had been given, picked the ball up and held it for a few seconds. An offside hadnt been given but Bruna appeared to have gotten away with it, as she threw the ball back to her keeper and the game continued.The best excuse of the tournament, and perhaps ever, for the lo s of a football match, came from North Koreans manager Kwang Min Kim. His side lost 2-0 to the USA and the post-match pre s conference saw a surreal explanation given. Kwang Min Kim explained that his players lost because they had been struck by lightning at a training ground before the tournament. The goalkeeper and four defenders were supposedly most badly affected, having to stay in hospital before travelling to Germany. The North Koreans performances didnt create much of a storm though, as they finished with just one point from three games.Even after they had been dumped out, North Koreas tournament took another turn for the worse. Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok-Sim tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid, which prompted target testing of the whole squad. The results showed that three more players tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug. Although not even illegal substances could help North Korea find the back of the net once.Ellen White - The future of English women's football Amidst the controversy though, moments of absolute brilliance on the pitch were still turning heads. The first quarter-final saw England, who had already beaten a technically gifted Japan side 2-0, face France, who had already hit seven goals. In truth, France dominated the game, but the English went a goal up after a lovely move down the left concluded with Jill Scotts pin-point shot, lobbing the keeper. However, the French hit back with two minutes remaining, after Bu saglias equally stunning effort beat Karen Bardsley with a little help from the post. Extra-time followed but this game would be decided on penalties. No prizes for gue sing D'Angelo Russell Jersey the result of this penalty shoot-out, an all too familiar ending for English national sides.The shock of the quarter-finals came when the Japanese beat the much-favoured German side on home-soil. Japans talismanic Homare Sawa dinked a lovely ball through in extra-time for Maruyama to cleverly fire home. They would face Sweden who beat Australia 3-1, in the only game that didnt go to extra-time. Perrys goal for Australia is well worth a watch though, although not enough to deny Swedens place in the semi-finals, the only group-stage winners to progre s.Arguably the game of the tournament came in the quarter-final between Brazil and the USA. Pardon the clich but this game had it all. An own goal put USA ahead in the second minute but, after a magnificent flick from Marta, Brazil were awarded a penalty as Buehler was adjudged to have brought Marta down and received a red card. Cristiane stepped up but Hope Solo produced a brilliant save, only for the referee to order it to be retaken for encroachment. Marta made no mistake with the second attempt. Normal time was not enough to separate these two giants of the womens game and two minutes into extra-time Brazil produced a flowing move that was impeccably and innovatively flicked past Hope Solo by the simply magnificent Marta. USA threw caution to the wind and in the 122nd minute an ambitious cro s from the left was met by Abby Wambachs unstoppable header. The penalty shootout followed and the superb Hope Solo made sure that the USAs record of always progre sing to the semi-finals in World Cups remained intact.The semi-finals went as would be expected with the USA seeing off France 3-1 before Japan beat Sweden with the same result and in doing so reached their first every Bruce Brown Jr. Jersey World Cup final. Kawasumis second goal was a brilliant long-distance strike, after the keeper had come charging out. The third-match play off was enthralling, with Sweden edging it 2-1 after Marie Hammarstrom rifled a shot into the top corner a goal well worthy of winning any game.So after 31 games, 23 days and 82 goals the sixth womens World Cup would be won by either the experienced, organised and spirited USA side or the creative, skilful and determined Japanese team. USA were clear favourites to claim their third world title, in the previous twenty-five meetings between these two sides, USA had won twenty-two and drawn three. The land of the rising sun though had other rising stars and mixed with some experienced figures looked balanced and dangerous.The first half was cagey, USA showing their physical imposition but Japan employing elegant through-balls to carve through the American defence. Abby Wambachs thundering strike hit the cro sbar but it wasnt until the introduction of Alex Morgan at half-time that the USA really begun to a sert themselves. A long ball played forward released Morgan and she calmly tucked the chance away. It was clear though that the USA lacked a composed figurehead at the back and this allowed Japan to equalise, as the USA couldnt clear their lines. Extra-time followed and, unsurprisingly, saw two goals from the tournaments two best players. Abby Wambachs physical presence allowed her to score yet another header but the brilliance of Homare Sawa, flicking a shot towards goal from a corner, meant that this game went to the dreaded penalty shootout. The USA mi sed their first three penalties and it was up to Kumagai to win it for the Japanese. What a moment to produce a perfect penalty. Blasted high into the left corner of Hope Solos goal and the jubilant scenes ensued as Japan claimed their maiden World Cup title.Its been a tough year for the Japanese and you cant help feeling anything but happine s for the team and the country. The first Asian team to win the womens World Cup and one hopes that it offers a sense of optimism for Keven Durant Jersey their future. A pa sionate performance, encapsulated by their inspirational captain Homare Sawa, who claimed the Golden Ball award for best player of the tournament. A heart-warming, deserved and inspirational succe s story that will see the future of the womens game continue to grow. Succe s perhaps the most fitting word to describe the whole tournament. Bring on Canada 2015, the womens game will be bigger, better and even more exciting.Follow me on Twitter @NedTaylor
Click here Click here Click here