Despite leading at half-time, Germany went down to a 2-1 defeat in the semi-final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand, dashing their hopes of taking home the trophy. The match was nip and tuck for the whole 90 minutes, but in the end it was the USA girls who emerged victorious. Coach Ralf Peter's team will now face England on Sunday in Auckland in the match for third place.

Steffi Jones, President of the Organising Committee of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany, was one of the 8,000 fans on the edge of their seats in the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium in Christchurch. Along with FIFA Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer, she was obviously hoping for a German victory, but it was not to be.

"I'm very disappointed," said the 111-time former German international. "Not by the way the team played, because they were magnificent, but obviously by the result. The girls played such incredible and exciting football throughout the entire tournament that they really deserved to get through to the final."

"The team gave a great account of themselves, in their tactics, in the way they played and also in the way that they battled. Losing in the semi-final really is a bitter pill to swallow, but despite the obvious disappointment, they shouldn't hang their heads. And in any case they still have a chance of becoming third-best team in the world - that's something special to aim for and they should really give it all they've got. I'm proud of this team," Jones continued.

Before the USA match, the OC President visited Burnside High School in Christchurch, where the 28 pupils from the ninth grade gave the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup winner a rousing reception, particularly since she had brought gifts with her from Germany. "It is great to see the levels of enthusiasm for women's football over here," said the former international defender. "The kids are so interested and I'm sure that our sport has real potential over here in New Zealand."