Women's Football / Editor / 29 September 2007 / Leave a comment

Perfecseun tells us why Birgit Prinz's Germany should be a little too strong for the Brazilians

Here we are, the finals of the 5th edition of FIFA´s Womens World Cup. The defending champions, Germany will take on Brazil, a first time finalist yet a worthy one.

Before the start of the tournament, Brazil were one of the 3 teams I believed could seriously challenge the Big 2 of USA and Germany. The Auriverdes are one step from claiming the title if they can wrestle it from the Europeans. To lay any serious claim to the title, Brazil needs to have beaten the best teams in the world. They have compiled an impressive CV by defeating China, Denmark, a resilient Australian side and then brushing aside the Americans. The aspiration of the Brazilians is a realistic one but a huge mountain to climb as this is new grounds for them, first time in the final of any FIFA Women´s competition.

The South Americans have dazzled with flair and flowing passes. The football they have played in the past 3 weeks has been exciting to watch and refreshing for the women´s game. The Germans, on the other hand, play some of the most calculated and controlling football in the women´s game. They may not showboat like the Brazilians but they are equally exciting to watch. Experience versus Flair is the theme of the finals and Germany, with 3 previous appearances in the finals and defending champion, hold a huge advantage.

This will be the 6th meeting between the 2 teams. Germany has won 3 times and drawn 2 of the previous 5 matches. It is worth noting that the last time they met was in 2000 Olympics bronze medal match, which Germany won 2-0. The aces on both teams has changed since, especially the Brazilians. Germany have always had key and core players present from era to era with the likes of Prinz and Lingor part of the 2000 squad. In 4 of 5 matches played against Brazil, Birgit Prinz has scored at least one goal.

Germany and Brazil are the best 2 attacking sides in this competition and rightly so that they have made the finals. The Germans have scored 19 goals, 11 of which coming in their opening match against Argentina and the Brazilians have scored 17 goals which have been evenly distributed over their matches in the competition so far. The other final contested by the two best attacking sides was in China 1999 ( USA 18 goals, China 19 goals ) and the match ended in a goalless draw in 120 minutes of football.

Even with all the stats and history, Germany is the sensible choice. The experience and maturity that runs through Silva Neid´s team should not be underestimated.

The Germans are patient and will soak up waves of attacks by the Brazilians. Unlike previous matches Brazil has played, the Germans wont allow them the freedom of movement. What sets this Germany side apart asides from the individual strengths of Prinz, Lingor, Minnert and Behringer is the fact that they play as a unit. This is a team that has not conceded a goal in this tournament and hold the record of not conceding in a FIFA Women´s World Cup - 529 minutes.

Marta, the highest goal scorer of the tournament so far and Cristiane, the second highest, have done extremely well to get Brazil to this point. But as Arsenal Women´s showed in the finals of the UEFA cup, Marta can be marked out of a game, something that was done to her over 2 legs. Brazil were lucky against Australia, a late injury time goal saw them through. The worrying thing about their semifinal victory is that they played above their own expectations to overcome the dominance USA had over them. The Americans were in line for a thrashing by a capable team as the North Koreans had signaled in the first round, even with Hope Solo in goal, and the Brazilian offence took good advantage of their shortcomings.

Perhaps Brazil will be drained from sustaining a high level to defeat the USA. Perhaps the adrenaline rush they had in the last match will have worn off. Still, experience is what the Germans can count on and with the array of talent they posses, Brazil´s fairytale might have run its course.

Suggested Bet: It is a very tough call if you took Brazil to win the tournament ante-post like I did (14.0 ). But voice of reason says : Lay Brazil to win the match @ 3.05 and small stakes, Back under 2.5 goals.

Tags: Birgit Prinz, Perfecseun, Women's World Cup