Contenders for the crown: usual suspects such as Norway, Germany, and China head the deepest field in Women's World Cup history

Soccer Digest, Oct-Nov, 2003 by Barry Wilner

ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES is the pre-tournament Women's World Cup favorite for the fourth straight time--in other words, each time the event has been staged--there are more legitimate challengers for the rifle this year than ever before.

Part of the reason for this narrowing gap between the U.S. and the rest of the world is the WUSA which has not only raised the level of play for Americans, but has given foreign players an opportunity to improve that they never would have received elsewhere.

Some credit should be given the willingness of national federations in Germany, Brazil, France, and Canada to invest in the women's game, which for so long was merely an afterthought in those countries. Add them to a field that already includes well-established programs such as the U.S., "Norway (the 1995 World Cup champion and 2000 Olympic gold medal winners), China and Sweden and the Women's World Cup will be a highly competitive three-week event.

Here's a look at the field, other than the United States, for the Women's World Cup:

NORWAY

Coach: Age Steen

FIFA ranking: 2

World Cup history: 1991 (runners-up); 1995 (champions); 1999 (fourth place)

For years, the Norwegians have been America's strongest competition. The conquerors of the Americans at the Sydney Olympics would be the co-favorites if the tournament were held in any other country.

Midfielder Hege Riise, forward Dagny Mellgren, and the versatile Anita Rapp--who can play almost anywhere--are among the best players in the WUSA. Riise, of the Carolina Courage, tore up her knee in April and is trying to come back for the World Cup. If she can't, she will be dearly missed.

"Norway gives us a difficult time because they are so disciplined and well-coached and they know us so well," says U.S. Captain Julie Foudy. "But we look Forward to playing them."

Norway's key players are comfortable in playing in against the United States, which should help.

Norway should advance to at least the semifinals.

GERMANY

Coach: Tina Theune-Mayer

FIFA ranking: 3

World Cup history: 1991 (fourth place); 1995 (runners-up); 1999 (quarterfinals)

Few national teams have benefited more from the creation of the WUSA than Germany. The German women are as powerfully efficient as their men's team Germany lost a lead and fell to the United States in the quarterfinals of the 1999 Cup, but it has vastly improved since then.

Germany's best players are forward Birgit Prinz (Carolina Courage), who was third in the FIFA world player voting for 2002, and defender Maren Meinert (Washington Freedom).

Steffi Jones, a Frankfurt-born daughter of an American GI and a German woman, became a factor in the WUSA this year and hopes to excel on the international stage. "When I was a child, everybody wanted to be American" she says.

CHINA

Coach: Liangxing Ma

FIFA ranking: 4

World Cup history: 1991 (quarterfinals); 1995 (fourth place); 1999 (runners-up)

Many of China's top players--including star striker Sun Wen---returned to China this year rather than play in the WUSA. The Chinese should be formidable and will play well together. The focus on training should improve their cohesion, but not competing in the WUSA may make the squad less competitively sharp than it could be. What's worse, China is not as good as it was four years ago, when it barely missed beating the United States for the Cup.

Sun is joined on attack by midfielder Zhao Lihong---China's best all-around performer--and forward Zhang Ouying. The defense has some question marks, however, and the Chinese traditionally have a rough time when they must spend along period away from home. Still China is a difficult opponent for any side.

SWEDEN

Coach: Marika Domanski Lyfors

FIFA ranking: 5

World Cup history: 1991 (third place); 1995 (quarterfinals); 1999 (quarterfinals)

The Swedes made the quarterfinals in 1999 and have been one of the most improved squads over the past two years. Their team-first concept works well, and they have benefitted from healthy competition against the other strong Scandinavian nations. On team not known for its stars, watch out for forward Hanna Ljungberg and defender Kristin Bengtsson.

"Sweden is going to be one of the surprise stories of this tournament," says U.S. forward Mia Harem. "They're extremely organized and young and Ljungberg is one of the best attacking players I've ever seen."

The United States opens against Sweden, so neither team gets to ease into the proceedings.

BRAZIL

Coach: Paulo Goncalves

RFA ranking: 6

World Cup history: 1991: first round; 1995: first round; 1999: third place

The Brazilians aren't nearly as skilled or as colorful as their world champion male counterparts--they don't have a Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Rivaldo--the Brazilians still play the same creative, ball-control style, are dangerous offensively, and are improving defensively.

Brazil lost to the United States in the semifinals in 1999, but has a better squad this time around, led by midfielder Daniela, a rapidly rising star who plays for the WUSA's San Diego Spirit. Forward Katia--the WUSA's leading goalscorer in 2002 and midfielder Sissi are world-class performers.