Blog 5

2019 Women’s World Cup beyond the games

I did not post a blog last week; first because my mother came to visit Marie and I in Oulu, and second because I wanted to wait until the group stage of the 2019 World Cup in France was completed. It is such an exciting time! I know I am not the only person who works her schedule around the games. For the next month, my free time is whenever there is not a game on TV. This World Cup is very special. Since the last World Cup in Canada four years ago, women’s soccer has evolved so much. The level of play just keeps getting better and better.

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FRANCE: The Hostesses

I have always been a huge fan of the French team. With the Quebec Soccer Federation, I was able to play the French National team when they were preparing for the last World Cup in Canada (2015). I was able to talk with the players and even swapped jerseys with former captain Wendie Renard. It is hard to host a World Cup because the expectations are extremely high. We all remember in 2014 when Brazil hosted the men’s World Cup and lost against Germany by a large score… It can be hard to win at home and it was only achieved a couple of times. Therefore, I have high hopes for the French team and I picked them to win this World Cup. They performed well during the group stage with three victories against South Korea, Nigeria and Norway. If they beat Brazil in the round of 16, they will then face a confident team from the United States.

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The USA broke RECORDS!!

As the defending champions, the United States had a lot to prove in this opening stage. Their first game against Thailand was the perfect opportunity to open this World Cup, break the ice, take away the nerves and gain confidence for the remainder of the tournament. YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED: They scored 13 goals and broke the record for the most goals scored in one FIFA game. At the end of the group stage, the team broke another record for the most goals scored in the group phase with 18 total goals. This team had difficulties scoring in the friendly games in preparation to France, but it seems like they are now back on track. It will be interesting to see what they do next against Spain.

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ITALY did not come to PLAY

Italy is this World Cup surprise. In my opinion, they were in the most competitive group with Brazil, Australia and Jamaica. They really came to play and I have been impressed with individuals like no.4 Galli who scored a hat trick against Jamaica, no. 10 Girelli and no.11 Bonansea. With 6 points, they won their group. The Italians will face China in the round of 16 and I think they can advance to a quarter- final game if they play the way they have in the group stage.

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BRAZIL and its PIONEERS

I believe this needs to get more attention: no. 8 Formiga is competing in her seventh World Cup. She played her first International game with the Brazilian team at the age of 17 as part of the 1995 squad. Now at the age of 41, she still dominates the midfield. Moreover, during Brazil’s last group stage game, Marta broke the record for most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history. With 17 goals, she surpassed the German Miroslav Klose and she is now leading the board.

What a record-breaking World Cup it has been so far! With much more games to go, history is about to be made. It is so incredibly inspiring to see how these women are changing the face of soccer. Cheers to many more games!