Women's World Cup 2011: 25 Players You Need to Know at Germany 2011
Many people will tell you that the football season is over, especially after the recent round of Euro 2012 qualifiers finished.
That couldn't be more wrong, though, with a number of huge tournaments coming up this summer. The Under 20's World Cup, the Under 21's European Championships, the Copa America, the Gold Cup and the Women's World Cup are all yet to take place in a summer that promises a feast of football.
With the growth of women's football recently as well, what better time could there be to look at the stars of the game and preview the competition in one go?
So without further procrastination, here are the top 25 players to watch out for at this summer's Women's World Cup in Germany.
Inka Grings
1 of 25
Date of Birth: 31 October 1978
Age: 32
Nationality: German
Position: Striker
Club: FCR 2001 Duisberg
Despite her great goal scoring record since making her international debut in 1996, Grings was not included in either of Germany's last two World Cup winning squads.
This time around, she is no doubt determined to make her mark, as it could likely be her last chance at winning a World Cup.
Christine Sinclair
2 of 25
Date of Birth: 12 June 1983
Age: 27
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Striker
Club: Western New York Flash
When you play alongside Marta (who we'll come to later), it's always going to be hard to be noticed, but Sinclair does a pretty good job of holding her own.
Having made over 150 appearances for Canada already, the nation's hopes will be largely resting on Sinclair's shoulders.
Hope Solo
3 of 25
Date of Birth: 30 July 1981
Age: 29
Nationality: American
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: MagicJack
Sitting just short of 100 international appearances, Hope Solo was a key part of the United States success at the 2007 World Cup, and after being benched for the semifinals, the US suffered the consequences.
Her controversial, upset interview afterwards has now been forgotten about, though, and a more mature Solo can be expected to be one of the most important players at this year's tournament.
Lotta Schelin
4 of 25
Date of Birth: 27 February 1984
Age: 27
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Striker
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Recognised by many as the female version of Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to her height and style of play, Schelin is coming off the back of a Champions League winning season this year.
She has been a key player in Lyon's European success and will no doubt also be a key player if Sweden want to progress past the first stage of the competition.
Marta
5 of 25
Date of Birth: 19 February 1986
Age: 25
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Forward
Club: Western New York Flash
Dare I say it, the Lionel Messi of women's football. Her individual record marks her out as the best player in the world by a long, long way.
Marta won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was previously runner up in 2005 as well. Now there's a good chance to see her take on the world.
Birgit Prinz
6 of 25
Date of Birth: 25 October 1977
Age: 33
Nationality: German
Position: Forward
Club: FFC Frankfurt
It would be easy to draw comparisons between Birgit Prinz and Miroslav Klose, with both having scored 14 goals at World Cups and both being lethal on the international stage; however, Prinz has shown ability even more so at a club level as well.
She has won three UEFA Women's Cups (Then equivalent of Champions League) and countless more German trophies in her long career with FFC Frankfurt.
Nadine Angerer
7 of 25
Date of Birth: 10 November 1978
Age: 32
Nationality: German
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: FFC Frankfurt
Initially a forward, Nadine Angerer eventually found a better position in goal, and there can be no doubt that the German national team is glad that she did.
Having made over 90 appearances for Germany, Angerer is the nation's number one shot stopper and played a key role in their success in 2007, saving a penalty from Marta in the final.
Kelly Smith
8 of 25
Date of Birth: 29 October 1978
Age: 32
Nationality: English
Position: Forward
Club: Boston Breakers
Ask any English sports fan to name a female footballer, and Kelly Smith will be the first name out of everyone's mouth.
Just as iconic off the pitch as she is on, Smith is the female version of David Beckham and will look to lead by example in this summer's World Cup.
Abby Wambach
9 of 25
Date of Birth: 2 June 1980
Age: 31
Nationality: American
Position: Forward
Club: MagicJack
Over 150 international appearances, over 110 international goals, an Olympic gold medal and three-time winner of the US Soccer Athlete of the Year award, Wambach is clearly no stranger to success.
In fact, in the 2004 Olympics, it was Wambach who scored the winning goal in the final, and the US team will no doubt be hoping that she'll do the same for them again this summer.
Eugenie Le Sommer
10 of 25
Date of Birth: 18 May 1989
Age: 22
Nationality: French
Position: Midfielder
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
A French youngster who has impressed during her time with European Champions Lyon. Having made over 30 appearances for the national team already at just 22, Le Sommer clearly has more to show.
At the 2008 under 20's World Cup, Le Sommer made the all star team after the tournament, and having shown so much potential already, she could well be on her way to doing so again this summer.
Alexandra Popp
11 of 25
Date of Birth: 6 April 1991
Age: 20
Nationality: German
Position: Left Back / Left Winger
Club: FCR 2001 Duisberg
Another youngster, another German. The winners of the previous two World Cups will no doubt be the favorites heading into the new competition thanks to the home advantage and their very strong squad.
Although she's only made six international appearances, Popp definitely has the ability to earn a place in the Germany starting XI, even if this summer is only a preview of what's to come in 2015.
Ebere Orji
12 of 25
Date of Birth: 23 December 1992
Age: 18
Nationality: Nigerian
Position: Forward
Club: Rivers Angels
Nigeria are rated by many to be the Dark Horses in this year's competition, especially after having reached the final of the Under 20's World Cup last summer.
This summer, Orji is expected to take one of the places in the Nigerian first team, and at just 18, she could play a key role in how far Nigeria get, with her speed and finishing ability being world class.
Rosie White
13 of 25
Date of Birth: 6 June 1993
Age: 17
Nationality: New Zealander
Position: Striker
Club: Three Kings United
Even younger now, Rosie White is a New Zealand striker with bags of potential. She's put in a number of great performances in the nation's youth teams, even though her scoring record so far for the full national team hasn't been stellar.
However, at just 17, she's already made over 20 appearances internationally and could well prove to be the countries next big thing, especially if she makes an impact this tournament.
Kim Kulig
14 of 25
Date of Birth: 9 April 1990
Age: 21
Nationality: German
Position: Midfielder
Club: Hamburg
Kim Kulig is another youthful star from Germany who will be hoping to carry on the nation's great recent legacy, starting at this year's World Cup.
Kulig has already won the UEFA Euro Championship in 2009 with Germany and the Under 20's World Cup in 2010, so a 2011 World Cup win would no doubt be a great start to what looks set to be a stellar career.
Isabell Herlovsen
15 of 25
Date of Birth: 23 June 1988
Age: 22
Nationality: Norwegian
Position: Striker
Club: Free Agent
Herlovsen has already broken numerous records for her age, and now with a chance to play at a World Cup, she'll be looking to make the most of a good start in her career.
Currently without a club after being released from Lyon, even though she played in the European Cup final, Herlovsen will be hoping to put on a good display at the World Cup in order to attract more clubs to secure her services.
Mana Iwabuchi
16 of 25
Date of Birth: 18 March 1993
Age: 18
Nationality: Japanese
Position: Forward
Club: NTV Beleza
Another nation with a strong youth coming through, Japan will be hoping to see development from Iwabuchi over the course of this 2011 competition in the hope that she can be a key player in time for the 2015 World Cup.
Having made three international appearances already, Iwabuchi could well be on her way to many, many more provided she keeps up her current level of ability.
Amy Rodriguez
17 of 25
Date of Birth: 17 February 1987
Age: 24
Nationality: American
Position: Forward
Club: Philadelphia Independence
Having made around 65 appearances internationally already, Rodriguez has shown exceptional talent for a 24 year old.
She was an important player in the United States 2008 Olympic success and will be an equally key player this summer for the Americans if they want to overturn the strength of the Brazilians and Germans.
Sandrine Soubeyrand
18 of 25
Date of Birth: 16 August 1973
Age: 37
Nationality: French
Position: Midfielder
Club: Juvisy
There's no guaranteeing that Soubeyrand will actually earn any more appearances at this tournament, but her past experience in the France squad will be essential for the development of younger players like Eugenie Le Sommer.
Having made over 150 international appearances, Soubeyrand's experience and influence will be a key part of France's success this summer.
Heather Garriock
19 of 25
Date of Birth: 21 December 1982
Age: 28
Nationality: Australian
Position: Midfielder
Club: Sydney FC
Garriock has made more than 110 appearances for Australia, and at just 28, she still seems to have plenty more left in her as well.
Her club career appears to have been far from stellar, but internationally, she is one of Australia's best hopes of progression through the competition.
Rachel Yankey
20 of 25
Date of Birth: 1 November 1979
Age: 31
Nationality: English
Position: Midfielder
Club: Arsenal
Although Kelly Smith is more iconic and one year older, Rachel Yankey actually holds more caps for England and has ensured that she has become one of England's most important players.
She is the most capped player left in the England squad and is one of the few big names at the World Cup to be playing in the English Women's Premier League.
Brittany Timko
21 of 25
Date of Birth: 5 September 1985
Age: 25
Nationality: Canada
Position: Forward
Club: Free Agent
Another free agent, Timko will also want to impress for Canada this summer if she wants to get a new club soon.
She has had a lot of experience internationally with Canada, and is expected to be very important in providing assists for Christine Sinclair and other strikers for the country.
Heather Mitts
22 of 25
Date of Birth: 9 June 1978
Age: 32
Nationality: American
Position: Defender
Club: Atlanta Beat
At 32, Mitts is one of the more experienced and well known members of the USA squad. Having made over 110 appearances internationally, she certainly knows what it takes to cut it against the World's elite.
She failed to appear at the 2003 World Cup after missing out from selection, and in 2007, missed out through injury, so this time around, she'll be determined to prove herself on the World stage.
Leni Larsen Kaurin
23 of 25
Date of Birth: 21 March 1981
Age: 30
Nationality: Norwegian
Position: Midfielder
Club: Vfl Wolfsburg
Having helped her country to finish fourth in last year's World Cup, Kaurin will be hoping that she can help avoid defeat in the semifinals this time around in order to give Norway a shot at the trophy.
With the particularly strong squads from a lot of nations at this summer's World Cup, Kaurin's experience and ability could be essential if Norway are aiming to go a step further than last time around.
Samantha Kerr
24 of 25
Date of Birth: 10 September 1993
Age: 17
Nationality: Australian
Position: Winger
Club: Perth Glory
At just 17, Kerr's nine international appearances is quite a feat, and she could increase that number this summer as well.
Kerr has shown remarkable potential and development as a youngster in her career so far and will be wanting international experience at the World Cup now in order to further her progression as a future star for Australia.
Diana Matheson
25 of 25
Date of Birth: 6 April 1984
Age: 27
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Midfielder
Club: LSK Kvinner FK
Diana Matheson is somewhat of an enigma in international football. Playing in a team that has an approach to the game that in considered quite physical, Matheson's five foot height would seem a big disadvantage.
However, her speed and and skill has kept her in the Canada team, where she has made over 115 appearances. This summer, she'll hope to prove that size doesn't always matter on the international stage.
