Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

Well, then.

Two-time defending champions Germany are out of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the quarterfinals stage thanks to an extra time goal by Karina Maruyama.

It’s the surprise of the tournament. The biggest upset in women’s soccer history. A stunning turn of events for a national team saddled with an immense amount of hype and pressure. And perhaps a catastrophic blow to the efforts to raise the profile of the women’s game in the host nation.

As the Frankfurter Allgemeine puts it, the nerves simply failed.

In sharp contrast, Japan remained calm and cool. Completely unruffled, just patient.

It was a strange thing, too. Germany weren’t poor. They didn’t appear to be utterly petrified like they had been against Nigeria in Frankfurt. They were just devoid of ideas and couldn’t break down an absolutely flawless Japan defense.

That being said, Japan are deserved winners. They didn’t let the weight of the moment get to them whatsoever. They beat Germany on their own terms, playing their own brand of soccer. And what a lovely brand it is; all that fine passing and movement. What a delight.

It’s a wonderful moment for a country still reeling from the devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami last April.

Silvia Neid will undoubtedly be met with criticism for her substitutions. Why introduce Lena Goessling for Linda Bresonik when Germany needed more attacking thrust? What took so long for Alex Popp to come on? Why no Lira?

To be honest, it didn’t look like anything or anyone was going to breach Japan’s back line. Perhaps Neid figured she could try to win the midfield by interrupting Japan’s rhythm or something. Who knows now.

Regardless, it’s just another twist in the unpredictable and riveting tale that has been the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Between this and France’s penalty kick shootout victory against England (poor Faye White…gutted), it’s a wonder to think of the suspense that still awaits us over the next week (it’s the U.S.’ turn tomorrow).

Germany has clearly thrown one hell of a party for the event. It’s just strange to think it’s not going to be for the hosts, but rather, for a yet to be determined party crasher.

Send to Facebook

Tweet This Post

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Soccer
• Sports
• FIFA

This post is related to an event on our Calendar:

• 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, Germany

This post is related to an ongoing story:

• 2011 FIFA Women`s World Cup

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

View jennaawk's Full Profile

There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

mcjack says:

Great game, really thought Germany was going to put one through in a last minute flourish. Either way, it was a very grabbing, edge-of-the-couch type finish, which I think is good for the tournament, tense drama makes for good sport on tv.

Hopefully the local atmosphere doesn't wane because the home town team is out. Sounds like it's been quite the party over there thus far, hope that vibrant spirit continues, still lots of action ahead.

Big game tomorrow, GO USA!!!

Sunday, July 10, 2011 at 1:25am EDT

Leave Your Comment:  Read our comment policy

Login  |  Sign Up

LOGIN TO WOMEN TALK SPORTS:

Username: 

Password: 

SIGNUP FOR A WOMEN TALK SPORTS ACCOUNT:

A Women Talk Sports account allows you to maintain a profile at www.womentalksports.com and login to comment on posts using your WTS identity.

Fields marked with a * are required.

Your First Name*: 

Your Last Name*: 

Your E-mail*: 

Your Website: 

Your Location: 

Your Twitter Username: 

Create a WTS Username*: 

Create a Password*: 

Confirm Password*: 

Check here to receive bi-weekly emails from Women Talk Sports and partners highlighting discussions on our site and upcoming women's sporting events, as well as informing you of new products, services and special offers.

I accept the Terms & Conditions for joining Women Talk Sports