In addition to the usual suspects from Japan and the United States, the All Star team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup features three players from début semifinalists France and a young star from Equatorial Guinea. Homare SAWA leads the Japanese contingent, including fellow midfielders Aya MIYAMA and Shinobu OHNO, plus goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI. Other stars include top goalkeeper Hope SOLO of the US, France’s midfield powerhouse Louisa NÉCIB, Sweden’s inspirational captain Caroline SEGER, and Eq Guinea’s starlet striker AÑONMAN. more...

Sweden claimed third place at the 2011 Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win over France. Both teams outperformed expectations in making it this far, but the Swedes came away with medals despite playing the latter part down a woman. They took the lead thirty minutes in as Lotta SCHELIN got on the end of a long ball from Sara LARSSON. France equalised from Élodie THOMIS, a first half replacement for injured Louisa NÉCIB, in the 56th minute. Just over ten minutes later, Sonia BOMPASTOR collided hard with Josefine ÖQVIST, who responded by kicking out at Bompastor. Referee Kari SEITZ sent Öqvist off; though Bompastor was not sanctioned, the Sinsheim crowd, feeling that she had instigated the incident, jeered her every touch throughout the remainder of the match. They no doubt felt that justice was done eight minutes from time, as Marie HAMMARSTRÖM earned the win with a powerful strike into the upper corner, her first career goal for Sweden.

FIFA confirmed on SAT 16 JUL 2011 that three other Korea DPR players, in addition to the two previously announced, have failed drug tests at the 2011 Women’s World Cup. After the team’s match against Sweden in Group C, SONG Jong Sun and JONG Pok Sim both tested positive. By rule, when multiple players on a team fail drug tests, the entire squad must be tested; three other, yet unnamed, players failed these tests. According to FIFA, the Korea DPR football federation blamed the test results on a traditional Chinese treatment involving the glands of musk deer. The players involved face suspensions of up to two years.

There are a number of players who could come away with the Golden Boot at the 2011 Women’s World Cup going into the third place and final matches. The current leader, MARTA of Brazil, has four goals and two assists, but her team is now out. Homare SAWA of Japan has four goals and one assist, Abby WAMBACH of the United States has three goals and an assist, and Lisa DAHLKVIST of Sweden has three goals and no assists. These three players are all expected to participate in the last weekend. A few other active players could also threaten: the US’s Lauren CHENEY, Japan’s Nahomi KAWASUMI, and France’s Marie-Laure DELIE and Gaëtane THINEY each have two goals. Ties are resolved by the greater assist total, and then by fewer minutes played.

On WED 13 JUL 2011, the two finalists of the Women’s World Cup were identified. At least one of them was not fancied to advance this far. more...

On the anniversary of the epic final of the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the day’s quarterfinals had much to live up to – and may have exceeded that standard. more...

The elimination phase of the Women’s World Cup opened with two tense quarterfinals and one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. more...

FIFA announced on THU 07 JUL 2011 the provisional suspension of two Korea DPR defenders, SONG Jong Sun and JONG Pok Sim, after both players failed drug tests taken after the team’s 1-0 loss to Sweden in Group C. The players were both ineligible to compete in the last match, a goalless draw against Colombia, and as required when multiple players test positive, all other Korean players were tested after that match. FIFA has not publicly stated what substances were found, but has confirmed that Jong’s and Song’s B samples are to be tested.

One Nordic side goes home, while another records a historic victory, on WED 06 JUL 2011. more...

As with the other groups, the élite separated themselves from the rest in Group C on SAT 02 JUL 2011. more...

The story as Group C opened was one of victories by the favourites, but still with missed opportunities. more...

The results of the draw for the UEFA group phase of qualifiers for Germany 2011 should please the favoured teams. Ukraine are no doubt anticipating a first qualification as they go up against Poland and Hungary in Group 4, while Russia, who missed China 2007, are due to face Ireland Rep and Switzerland in Group 6. Finland, who host Women’s Euro 2009 this summer, meet Italy and Portugal in Group 7. Winning the group is not sufficient this time, as the winners will then have to win in the playoffs next year in order to qualify. Qualifying matches begin in SEP 2009. more...

The long process to decide the sixteen participants at Germany 2011 will begin on TUE 17 MAR 2009, when the 41 teams who entered the UEFA qualifiers are drawn into eight groups. Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts, will be joined by 4½ other European sides that have been divided into five pots according to performances in the qualifiers for the 2007 Women’s World Cup and Women’s Euro 2009. The group phase will be played from SEP 2009 to AUG 2010. The group winners advance to the playoffs, where four will qualify directly and a fifth will face the third placed team in CONCACAF. The draw occurs at 12:30 UTC at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. more...