Looking ahead to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany: Group A

Posted Thursday, June 02, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

When the FIFA Women's World Cup begins in Germany this month, the host country will be looking to repeat. First, they have to emerge from Group A. While they are the favorite, the German side needs to be wary of the other teams in the group. Here's a look at them, and the expectations for each.

Germany

The defending side opens up play June 26 in Berlin against Canada. While Germany will be the favorite, Canada is currently ranked sixth in the world and can present a strong challenge in the first match.
German team captain Birgit Prinz has announced she will be retiring from the National Team after the World Cup, so you can imagine the thrill it would be for her side to be champions one more time, as the final will be in her hometown of Frankfurt.

Canada

Knowing that the 2015 Women's World Cup will be held in Canada might provide extra motivation for the side to win it all. If they can replicate the German experience of defending at home, it would do fantastic things for women's soccer in Canada.

If they do well against Germany, the Canadians have a chance to run the table in Group A. The first match of the group may be it's most important.

France

Appearing in their second World Cup, France tore through the qualifying for the Germany appearance, winning 11 of 12 matches, they lost only to Italy. French Captain Sandrine Soubeyrand acknowledged that they weren't all top-level opponents.

"All due respect to the teams we beat, who are developing nations on the international scene, but it's going to be a lot tougher for us in Germany," she said.

Nigeria

Although Nigeria finished last in their group in the 2007 World Cup, the side has much higher expectations this time. While they aren't expected to win the group, they should improve on the 2007 finish. Nigeria is just one of seven nations to have participated in all five previous FIFA World Cups.

"Don't rule us out of reaching the final of the World Cup, or better still, coming back home with the trophy," said team captain and goalkeeper Precious Dede.

How will Group A finish?

Conventional wisdom says Germany and Canada will emerge, 1 and 2. I'm not so sure. France may just upend things a little, and Nigeria could surprise. Still, Germany has to be the pick to emerge in the first spot. For number two, I see France riding their momentum to advance from the group.