German women take home U-20 World Cup
Germany’s under-20 women’s football team took home the FIFA World Cup on Sunday for the second time after a 2:0 victory over Nigeria in Bielefeld that completed an undefeated tournament.
It was the first host nation victory in the history of the tournament, and followed their 2004 victory in Thailand.
Alexandra Popp, the 19-year-old player known as the “penalty-box princess,” scored an early goal in the eighth minute to rack up her tenth point in the tournament, earning her the Adidas Golden Shoe for top scorer.
“That was the best day of my football career so far,” said Popp.
The second point in the game came late when the Nigerians scored an own goal in additional time when German Kim Kulig headed the ball into the post and it bounced off Nigerian Osinachi Ohale’s back for the goal.
“The tournament was an amazing experience, an amazing summer,” said trainer Maren Meiner, who was treated to an ice-water bath by her team after the win.
The team’s final game was attended by a sold-out crowd of almost 25,000, a turn out said to be a good sign ahead of the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Germany next year.
“One can’t imagine it any better, I had tears in my eyes,” said player Steffi Jones. “I’m super happy and am looking forward to next year.”
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It was the first host nation victory in the history of the tournament, and followed their 2004 victory in Thailand.
Alexandra Popp, the 19-year-old player known as the “penalty-box princess,” scored an early goal in the eighth minute to rack up her tenth point in the tournament, earning her the Adidas Golden Shoe for top scorer.
“That was the best day of my football career so far,” said Popp.
The second point in the game came late when the Nigerians scored an own goal in additional time when German Kim Kulig headed the ball into the post and it bounced off Nigerian Osinachi Ohale’s back for the goal.
“The tournament was an amazing experience, an amazing summer,” said trainer Maren Meiner, who was treated to an ice-water bath by her team after the win.
The team’s final game was attended by a sold-out crowd of almost 25,000, a turn out said to be a good sign ahead of the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in Germany next year.
“One can’t imagine it any better, I had tears in my eyes,” said player Steffi Jones. “I’m super happy and am looking forward to next year.”
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