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Germany beats rival bid from Canada to host women's Cup

FIFA awarded Germany the 2011 Women's World Cup yesterday.

Germany, which has won the last two World Cup titles, beat Canada in the decision to host the next women's soccer tournament.

"The organizer of FIFA's Women's World Cup of 2011 is the football association of Deutschland," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.

In its final presentation earlier yesterday, Germany listed 11 reasons it should stage the event, but mainly sold itself as "the land of football."

"Of course we are very proud and grateful for this distinction to be able after the World Cup of the men in 2006 to already in the year 2011 to be able to organize the Women's World Cup," German soccer federation president Theo Zwanziger said.

"Women's football is a great development opportunity around the world," Zwanziger added. "The ball finally is also there for the girls and the women."

Germany produced FIFA's most financially successful World Cup last year, and the German women won this year's World Cup without conceding a goal.

"This is a great honor for us. We could not absolutely expect it," German minister for women and youth Ursula von der Leyen said. "We offer a stage for the world to be our guest."

Canada's bid was based on its successful staging of the Under-20 World Cup this year, which set attendance records both for Canadian sporting events and FIFA under-20 tournaments.

Germany's presentation -- less polished and more casual than Canada's -- included a video showing the career highlights of Birgit Prinz, Germany's star forward. The two-time FIFA player of the year is the Germany captain.
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