|
"We call the World Cup the Men's World Cup and we call the Women's World Cup just 'the World Cup'."
-Roger Bennett (Men in Blazers)
I know we're months away, but the draw was made today and I certainly think today is as good a day as any to start talking about it here at TL.net. Let's get this going, let's get Pandemona in here...the whole nine yards. Is there a team or game or storyline you're interested to see right now?
#NoSleepTillVancouver
Group A
Canada, China, Netherlands, New Zealand
- New Zealand vs. Netherlands - June 6, Edmonton
- Canada vs. China - June 6, Edmonton
- China vs. Netherlands - June 11, Edmonton
- Canada vs. New Zealand - June 11, Edmonton
- Netherlands vs. Canada - June 15, Montreal
- China vs. New Zealand - June 15, Winnipeg
Group B
Germany, Norway, Ivory Coast, Thailand
- Germany vs. Ivory Coast - June 7, Ottawa
- Norway vs. Thailand - June 7, Ottawa
- Germany vs. Norway - June 11, Ottawa
- Ivory Coast vs. Thailand - June 11, Ottawa
- Thailand vs. Germany - June 15, Winnipeg
- Ivory Coast vs. Norway - June 15, Moncton
Group C
Japan, Switzerland, Cameroon, Ecuador
- Japan vs. Switzerland - June 8, Vancouver
- Cameroon vs. Ecuador - June 8, Vancouver
- Japan vs. Cameroon - June 12, Vancouver
- Switzerland vs. Ecuador - June 12, Vancouver
- Ecuador vs. Japan - June 16, Winnipeg
- Switzerland vs. Cameroon - June 16, Edmonton
Group D
United States, Sweden, Australia, Nigeria
- United States vs. Australia - June 8, Winnipeg
- Sweden vs. Nigeria - June 8, Winnipeg
- United States vs. Sweden - June 12, Winnipeg
- Australia vs. Nigeria - June 12, Winnipeg
- Nigeria vs. United States - June 16, Vancouver
- Australia vs. Sweden - June 16, Edmonton
Group E
Brazil, Spain, South Korea, Costa Rica
- Brazil vs. South Korea - June 9, Montreal
- Spain vs. Costa Rica - June 9, Montreal
- Brazil vs. Spain - June 13, Montreal
- South Korea vs. Costa Rica - June 32, Montreal
- Costa Rica vs. Brazil - June 17, Moncton
- South Korea vs. Spain - June 17, Ottawa
Group F
France, England, Colombia, Mexico
- France vs. England - June 9, Moncton
- Columbia vs. Mexico - June 9, Moncton
- France vs. Colombia - June 13, Moncton
- England vs. Mexico - June 13, Moncton
- Mexico vs. France - June 17, Ottawa
- England vs. Colombia - June 17, Montreal
|
For the uninitiated in the world of female football, could someone elaborate on:
- Who are the favorites? Is it the US, Germany, Brazil?
- Who are the current superstars?
- Who are the dark horse candidates we should get to know and root for?
|
On December 07 2014 05:35 warding wrote:
For the uninitiated in the world of female football, could someone elaborate on:
- Who are the favorites? Is it the US, Germany, Brazil?
- Who are the current superstars?
- Who are the dark horse candidates we should get to know and root for?
Good questions! I'll go one-by-one.
Q: Who are the favorites? Is it the US, Germany, Brazil?
A: I would definitely put those three in there and then put Japan in there too since they're defending champs ("holders" to use the European term.)
Q: Who are the current superstars?
A: I'll try and stick with five names for now of the top of my head. Abby Wambach of Team USA is like a female Miroslav Klose - she's a great finisher, especially in the air, and has won everything but a World Cup. I would also definitely watch for Brazil's Marta, who spent a lot of time playing against guys and is someone Neymar looks up to. Nadine Angerer is Germany's ace keeper and its link to its title-winning teams from 2003 and 2007, while Japan's Homare Sawa (who I believe will make it in spite of age), who was their title-winning captain four years ago, reminded me a lot of a female Steven Gerrard because of how well-rounded she is and how well she can lift a team from midfield. Last but not least, another American, Alex Morgan. She's gotten her fair share of press, but she's more than just a pretty face - she's dangerous up front.
Q: Who are the current dark horse candidates we should get to know and root for?
A: I don't know too many as of now, but I definitely wouldn't bet against Canada. Christine Sinclair almost beat Team USA on her own in the Olympic semifinal at Old Trafford - she got a hat trick and it took a late penalty from Wambach and a stunning header from Morgan to go through to the gold medal game.
|
France is the dark horse for me, Lyon was the best club in the world for a while (not anymore).
|
On December 07 2014 06:32 Maenander wrote:
France is the dark horse for me, Lyon was the best club in the world for a while (not anymore).
Thanks a lot for the reminder - I'd forgotten France. I'd also put England a step below France and Canada.
|
Canada will definitely be a dark horse here, They should have won that Olympic Semi-Final if not for a BS call. Lead by Christine Sinclair who is right in her prime! They showed they can go toe to toe with the best with the 1-1 friendly against the US last spring. Japan and Germany will also be very strong.
Little disappointed with the scheduling for this tournament, Winnipeg is the closest venue for me, yet Team Canada never plays there (I believe they play every other stadium) Winnipeg also got the fewest Playoff games.
Gunna be a struggle choosing between Oranje and my Home-country Canada in Group A
Looking forward to it, TSN here in Canada will also do a wonderful job of covering it I'm sure!
|
If Canada has a game in Vancouver I'll buy tickets in a heartbeat but none of the group games are enticing enough to pay for tickets+hotel and make the 5 hour drive to the city :/
I think we can do really well in this though, hoping for a top 4 finish.
|
On December 07 2014 11:17 Hammermane wrote:
Canada will definitely be a dark horse here, They should have won that Olympic Semi-Final if not for a BS call. Lead by Christine Sinclair who is right in her prime! They showed they can go toe to toe with the best with the 1-1 friendly against the US last spring. Japan and Germany will also be very strong.
Little disappointed with the scheduling for this tournament, Winnipeg is the closest venue for me, yet Team Canada never plays there (I believe they play every other stadium) Winnipeg also got the fewest Playoff games.
Gunna be a struggle choosing between Oranje and my Home-country Canada in Group A
Looking forward to it, TSN here in Canada will also do a wonderful job of covering it I'm sure!
Even as an American, I felt like we had to get a break with Abby's penalty before Alex came up with that something special. People talk about Alex's goal, but it should not be forgotten that Christine darn near beat us on her own.
On December 07 2014 11:36 ZeroChrome wrote:
If Canada has a game in Vancouver I'll buy tickets in a heartbeat but none of the group games are enticing enough to pay for tickets+hotel and make the 5 hour drive to the city :/
I think we can do really well in this though, hoping for a top 4 finish.
It wouldn't surprise me to see you guys in the top 3!
|
On December 07 2014 11:36 ZeroChrome wrote:
If Canada has a game in Vancouver I'll buy tickets in a heartbeat but none of the group games are enticing enough to pay for tickets+hotel and make the 5 hour drive to the city :/
I think we can do really well in this though, hoping for a top 4 finish.
I know what you mean, I'll end up going because this will probably be one of the very few times a World Cup (mens and womens) will be here in NA in my life time, So i don't wanna pass up that chance
|
Another question: How many of the participating countries have professional leagues? How many of the athletes participating in the WC are pro and how many are amateur?
|
On December 07 2014 23:43 warding wrote:
Another question: How many of the participating countries have professional leagues? How many of the athletes participating in the WC are pro and how many are amateur?
North America has a pro league which most of the Canadian/US players play in, Some who are still in college play for their Div 1 schools. I know their is a UEFA Womens world cup, so I imagine that some of the European countries would have pro or semi-pro leagues.
|
On December 08 2014 02:01 Hammermane wrote:Show nested quote +On December 07 2014 23:43 warding wrote:
Another question: How many of the participating countries have professional leagues? How many of the athletes participating in the WC are pro and how many are amateur? North America has a pro league which most of the Canadian/US players play in, Some who are still in college play for their Div 1 schools. I know there is a (UEFA Women's Euro), so I imagine that some of the European countries would have pro or semi-pro leagues.
Quite correct. We do have an NWSL here in America, while the women's game has done well in Europe as well. A number of recognizable teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich and Frankfurt now have women's squads.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
