Sunday's final showdown at the Shanghai Hongkou Football
Stadium promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Both sides are
aiming to make history, with the brilliant Brazilians intent on
claiming the biggest prize in the women's game for the first
time, while Germany attempt to complete the first successful title
defence in the history of this tournament.
The game
Germany - Brazil, Shanghai, Sunday 30 September,
20:00 (local time)
The stakes
Reigning European and world champions Germany are
not about to loosen their grip on the crown without a fight. Yet to
concede a single goal in five matches, with keeper Nadine Angerer
in superb form, the German juggernaut has been unstoppable,
chalking up the small matter of 19 goals at the other end against
their shell-shocked opponents.
Silvia Neid's charges are hoping to maintain their momentum
and become the first side to defend the world title, an achievement
that would see them join USA as two-time champions. Blocking their
path, however, are FIFA Women's World Cup Final debutants
Brazil, who have already bettered their previous best finish of
third place at USA 99. As if the stakes were not already high
enough in Sunday's tantalising clash, in-form sharpshooters
Birgit Prinz and Marta will go head-to-head in a duel to decide who
takes the individual honours at China 2007.
The players
Germany's 19-year-old midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj is on
standby to replace Melanie Behringer, who is struggling with a
thigh injury. The Brazilians have a clean bill of health meanwhile.
The past
The two sides have met six times at full international level
and it is advantage Germany with three wins and two draws to date.
Two of those clashes have come in the first round of the FIFA
Women's World Cup, the Europeans prevailing 6-1 at Sweden 1995
before sharing six goals with the South Americans in a thrilling
draw at USA 1999.
The birthday girl
Germany's Kerstin Stegemann turns 30 on the eve
of the game and the defender will doubtless be hoping that Sunday
brings the best possible belated birthday present.
The words
First things first, there's no way we can match
the Brazilians player for player. What we need to do is give them
as little space as possible and make sure we have a numerical
advantage in every situation. I think we can beat them if we can do
that -
Silvia Neid, Germany coach
This is such a special game. It's a final after all.
Germany are a very strong team, very powerful. We're full of
confidence though, and in finals it's always the team that
makes the fewest mistakes that comes out on top. I hope we can
produce our very best football and that the Germans are right on
form as well. It would be great if we could put on a wonderful
finale for the Chinese people -
Jorge Barcellos, Brazil coach
