GERMANY

THE EXPERIENCE FACTOR. Germany created its women’s national team in 1982, but the female side of the sport celebrated its breakthrough in 1989, when Germany’s European Championship semifinal win over Italy drew higher TV ratings than a Steffi Graf tennis match and its final win over Norway garnered nationwide press attention.

A women’s Bundesliga was formed the following year, and Germany captured three more European titles – ’91, ’95 and ’97. It also took fourth at the first World Cup, in 1991, and was runner-up in 1995.

Three current players – defender Doris Fitschen, midfield star Martina Voss, and Bettina Wiegmann – played in both previous World Cups. Both Fitschen and Voss have more than 110 caps each, while Wiegmann is closing in on 100.

U.S. LINK. Central defender Steffi Jones is the daughter of an American serviceman. He moved back to United States while she stayed in Germany with her mother. When she isn’t playing for her national team or for Bundesliga club SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, Jones is a saleswoman at a department store.

At the 5-11, 159 pounds, Jones patrols the central defense with Fitschen. Both are strong in the air, but will they be vulnerable to the fleet-footed Brazilians?

BRAZIL

RISING RAPIDLY. Brazil’s national team wasn’t formed until 1988, and only 20 clubs were in action at the turn of the decade. Since then, Brazil has made an unequaled rise in the soccer world. It failed to reach the second round in the first two World Cups, then finished fourth at the 1996 Olympics.

At USA ’99, Brazil is the strongest of the non-seeded teams. Its clash with the Germany on June 27 – a rematch of a 1996 Olympic clash that ended 1-1 – is the first round’s most enticing matchup.

JOGO BONITO. The Brazilian women have begun playing the samba soccer that typifies its men’s teams, and in qualifying play outscored opponents 66-3.

An serious injury to forward Roseli, a veteran of two World Cups who scored 15 goals in qualifying, is a major concern, but Coach Ze Duarte has other goalscoring options: Katia and midfielder Sissi. They each had 12 goals in qualifying, while forward Pretinha scored 10 and Elane, a central defender, scored seven. Sissi, the team’s oldest player at 32, is a crafty playmaker.

ITALY

BACK TO THE SHOW. After reaching the quarterfinals of the 1991 World Cup, Italy, whose women’s league has a strong tradition, failed to qualify for Sweden ’95.

Coach Carlo Facchin’s team completed European World Cup qualifying Group 2 undefeated, with five wins and one tie. It finished runner-up to Germany in the 1997 European Championship, where it upset defending World Cup champ Norway.

TOUGH D. The Italians play a short-passing game out of their traditional 4-4-2 formation and adhere to the catenaccio their country is known for. Their disciplined defense is anchored by Daniela Tavalazzi and Damiana Deiana and a stellar goalkeeper in Giorgia Brenzan. They try to build out of the back and get the ball to 32-year-old attacking midfielder Antonella Carta.

Manuela Tesse rules the flanks. She’ll look to feed veteran forwards Rita Guarino and Silvia Fiorini. Lazio phenom Patrizia Panico, who battled Guarino for the Serie A scoring title much of this season, will compete with Fiorini for playing time.

MEXICO

HELP FROM THE NORTH. The Mexican government’s recent decision to allow dual citizenship came just in time for its Women’s World Cup hopes. Relying heavily on a group of Mexican-Americans with U.S. college experience, Mexico finished second in CONCACAF qualifying and beat Argentina in a two-match playoff.

The team relies heavily on stylish playmaker Laurie Hill (UC Santa Barbara).

Mexico native Maribel Dominguez scored 10 goals in qualifying and works up front with Monica Gerardo, the all-time leading scorer at Notre Dame.

The Mexicans will be severely tested in defense, where it fields sweeper Gina Oceguera (Cal Poly SLO), Lisa Nanez (Santa Clara) and goalkeepers Linnea Quinones (San Diego State) and Ivette Valdez (Pacific).

MIRACLE WORKER? Mexico hired an icon from the men’s game to lead a team for which second-round qualification would be a shocker.

Leo Cuellar captained the Mexico’s 1978 World Cup team and was a long-time star at UNAM Pumas before playing NASL ball in San Diego and San Jose.

Cueller, men’s coach at Cal State Los Angeles, has his work cut out with a team relatively inexperienced at the international level. He has held extensive pre-tournament training camps and hopes Mexican-Americans lend their support from the stands.

GROUP B IN BRIEF


GERMANY

ò Colors: Black and white.
ò Coach: Tina Theune-Meyer.
ò Past: 1991 – 3rd; 1995 – 2nd.

BRAZIL

ò Colors: Yellow and blue.
ò Coach: Wilson.
ò Past: 1991 – 9th; 1995 – 9th.

MEXICO

ò Colors: Green and white.
ò Coach: Leonardo Cuellar.
ò Past: 1991 – did not qualify; 1995 – did not qualify.

ITALY

ò Colors: Blue and white.
ò Coach: Carlo Facchin.
ò Past: 1991 – 6th; 1995 – did not qualify.

Scouting Report


GERMANY. The technically sound Germans play a possession game, knocking the ball around before springing an attack. Coach Tina Theune-Meyer will sometimes use a third forward, or move a defender into midfield.

By Soccer America associate editor Dean Caparaz