Team coach

Dr. Angela Merkel

Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

My passion for football: Made the acquaintance and became a fan of the German men’s team ahead of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany 2006™. Emerged as a true aficionado of the game, and now visibly revels in the atmosphere and excitement at the stadiums.

I’m looking forward to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™ because... "I personally encouraged the DFB to bid to host the 2011 finals, and committed the federal government to support the bid. After the unforgettable experience in the fairytale summer of 2006, I’m once again looking forward to a wonderful festival of football, bringing people together in a unique atmosphere."

Career highlights: Academic research in physics at the Academy of Sciences in Berlin-Adlershof. 1990: Deputy Government Spokeswoman in the Alliance for Germany administration, the first (and last) democratically elected GDR government. December 1990: Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Member of the German Bundestag. January 1991: Federal Minister for Women and Youth. December 1991: Deputy Chairwoman of the CDU. 1994: Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. 1998: General Secretary of the CDU. 2000: National chair of the CDU. 2005: Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.