really looking forward to this, anyway have the full teams who qualified?

i know for sure that germany and usa will put up a huge fight

any opinions?

is this event on tv?

Should be, perhaps BBC 3

Ive checked all the bb c channels, its not on, mybe it might be on Eurosports!

Ive checked all the bbc channels, its not on, mybe it might be on Eurosports!

I think I might add a pinned topic for the draw, fixtures, results etc. when the time comes, but for now we'll use this thread for any pre-tournament comments.

The draw for the 2006 Women's World Championship from www.fifa.com:



"Nervous anticipation gave way to feverish excitement as the draw for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Russia 2006 was held in Moscow's City Hall on Saturday 22 March 2006.

Each of the 16 teams, save for the two CAF entrants, who've still to be decided, learned their respective first-round fates, and there were certainly more than a few potentially mouth-watering clashes thrown up as the names were pulled from the hat.

Germany and Russia, holders and hosts respectively, will be among those with high hopes for the tournament, which is to take place from 17 August to 3 September, with venues in both Moscow and St Petersburg."

Group A
Russia
Brazil
New Zealand
Australia

Group B
China PR
Finland
CAF 1
Canada

Group C
Switzerland
Mexico
Korea
Germany

Group D
CAF 2
USA
France
Argentina

Brazil are my early favourites with Marta looking to be the star player of the tournament and probably the best player in the world right now. Obviously Germany are going to be a major force with their physical strength and strength in depth. Usual candidates such as USA & Canada can never be ruled out and I expect a strong performance from Mexico for this year's event also.

I couldn't find any information on TV rights for the actual tournament itself, but I expect there will be announcements closer to the tournament start. FIFA seem to be stepping up the media coverage of women's football and this would be an opportunity too good to miss to really get people interested in the women's game in time for the next FIFA Women's World Cup.

The groups look pretty even right now, all have some strong teams, and there could be a surprise performance. Mexico: Im expecting to see Corral play and mexico should have some tricks up their sleeves.A good one to watch would be the Mexico, Germany, looking forward to see how they play, another one to watch should be the France, USA game, And as always going all the way for Canada, though they are placed in the same group as China, who they lost to last year. Also anyone mind telling me what CAF is? im totally clueless hear.

One last thing, why hasn't norway sent a team. Did they not qualify, looking at the rankings norway is in 3rd aren't they?

Go matildas!

Yeah, where's Norway and Sweden? Odd...

I honestly have no clue as to who could win this... I haven't been following the u20 game much so I can't comment at all.

As for TV coverage, i'm going to message the Canadian stations and try to find out about them.

CAF is the African equivalent of UEFA in Europe, i.e. the governing body for African football. This tournament will feature the top 16 U-20 women's teams from across all six confederations:

AFC (3 slots): China PR, Korea DPR and Australia
CAF (2 slots): Qualification concludes in June 2006
CONCACAF (3 slots): USA, Canada and Mexico
CONMEBOL (2 slots:) Brazil and Argentina
OFC (1 slot): New Zealand
UEFA (host + 4 slots): Russia, France, Germany, Finland and Switzerland

As you can see from the above delegation, CAF qualification will not conclude until June so, the two African representitives for the tournament are still unknown.

The African race to Russia will be decided next month when plays-offs are held between South Africa and Liberia, while Nigeria will take on either DR Congo or Mali.

I would expect the favourites to progress to te finals must be Nigeria and South Africa, although my knowledge of African U20 football isn't what it might be



Just for future reference, the six regional confederations are associated with FIFA; these are:

* Asia: Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
* Africa: Confederation of African Football (CAF)
* Central/North America & Caribbean: Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)
* Europe: Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
* Oceania: Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)
* South America: Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South American Football Confederation; CONMEBOL)

It seems Norway and Sweden didn't enter the competition this time round, and England were knocked out by Switzerland at the very last play-off in the UEFA competition.

Let us know how you get on finding out about TV coverage Renee, it would be great for the tournament to be available to all so that we have some games to talk about as a group come August/September time, and beyond...

TV Coverage on "Sportsnet" in Canada:



Sorry I can't help much with out of Canada coverage... that was just simply asking the station about it. Frustrating that they're only showing coverage of Canada's games and not the others because i'd still love to see them!!

Yeah, well hopefully one of the video gods will capture the highlights for us and post them in the video thread. I'll see if Richie or anyone else can help out in that regard closer to the time. You lucky Canadians though, I wish women's football was higher profile in the UK, but without any of the home nations involved I doubt we will see any coverage at all

thanks renee,rab!

usually the women's games go on TSN in canada, they did last time there was a major tournament. looking forward to it

Click here for all the groups and official fixtures, the first match is on the 17th August, so not long to wait!

I can't see anyone but USA or Brazil winning this now. The USA are probably just ahead in terms of organisation, but the Brazilian skill and ability can never be doubted. It's been a while since the USA ladies won an international tournament, so the experienced U20 side will be looking to just that in Russia.

This will be shown on Eurosport and Richie has already offered to cap it if anyone's interested?

Dont think there will be many interested, but i will cap and post it anyway Will
There always a few interested, and its not much trouble for me anyway, doing the encoding and posting at work

Yeah i'm aware of that Richie, I appreciate it anyway. I'm sure there are a few more who are keen, but they just don't come on much mate

Women's u20 WC06 Short Preview Comp By Eurosport
HQ Xvid 1300kbs 25secs (4MB)
Download Megaupload
Download Yousendit
View Youtube

thanks

Awesome clip Richie, thanks

the first match of the womens u-20 world championship starts today

Group B

China V finland kick off at 13:55- Eurosport 2


Group A

Brazil V Russia kick off at 16:55- Eurosport 2

Yes, I expect China to beat Finland in the Group B game, but Brazil-Russia will be hard to call.

did u watch the game? yea china won 2-1, it was a great game

I caught the Brazil v Russie game, anyone know the final score?

The game was very fast, and had a faster tempo then normal womens matches do, some of these women look pretty good.

But didn't the Brazil girls kick Danilova all over the park- and each time she go on with it and played better. Great respect to Danilova but the Brazilians looked formidable even without Marta. My favourite goalkeeper Todua had a bizarre match, great saves and appalling distribution-but what potential she will become the best keeper ever in the womens game imo

Did anyone see the goal one of our Aussie girls swung in from the corner? Really cool goal. She went on to pop another one over shortly afterwards from a good 35 yards.

yeah that was awesome. top quality strikes

Yeah I saw that goal from the corner aswell. I just walked past the TV which was already turned to the game, and saw the ball fly in from the corner. I thought I was watching the highlights or something.

Brilliant goal though.

Did anyone cath the 10 goal thriller between germany and mexico?

I cant wait to see the usa play

I have the Australia and New Zealand highlights

http://www.sendspace.com/file/4k2nti

Enjoy

cheers. will d/l later

8-0 to Nigeria.....domination over the Finns

i was watching that game and i was wondering when all the goals would stop. we had around 30+ shots and they didn't eveen have any. this game could have had alot more goals.

Anyone one catch the China Canada game?

If so , would you mind posting the details? thanks

So the quarter finals are nearly upon us, but after a one day break from competition who do you think will progress to the next round of the competition?

In match 1 (16.00), Brazil and Nigeria face each and both looked strong in the group stages. Nigeria's 8-0 win versus Finland will have put their confidence sky high, although Brazil will still go into the match as favourites.

In the second quarter final (19.00) China, who won all 3 qualifying games, face the much fancied Russians who failed to impress in the group stages finishing second on goal difference to the Brazil side. It's a hard game to call but I feal that Russia will begin to click into action and Danilova will soon be repeateding that wonderful goal-scoring form she showed at European U19s.

Quarterfinals
26 August

Brazil vs Nigeria 16:00 - Torpedo Stadium
China PR vs Russia 19:00 - Torpedo Stadium

Short 45sec Comp Of: Mexico - Korea - HQ Xvid 1300kbs (7MB)
Download Keepmyfile

Thanks alot Richie, that free kick from the Koreans was superb. Unfortunately the Mexican 'keeper wasn't up too much but it was a good performance from South Korea anyway.

FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
Brazil & China PR through to last four
(FIFA.com) 26 Aug 2006

Brazil and China came through their respective quarter-final ties at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship Russia 2006 this afternoon to move one step closer to a podium finish.

The South Americans did it the hard way at Moscow's Torpedo Stadium, finally settling a thrilling encounter with Nigeria in stoppage time, while their Asian counterparts were efficiency personified as they swept aside the hosts hours later at the same venue.

Brazilian fans had to wait until first-half injury time for their opening goal, and then another forty-five minutes for their second - a header from a free-kick that followed a late Nigerian sending-off. The Asian champions, by contrast, decided to eschew any heart-stopping drama, and had their match against hosts Russia effectively wrapped up before the interval.


Brazil leave it late

There was drama right up to the final whistle in this afternoon's first quarter-final in Moscow, where Brazil and Nigeria fought out an intense and keenly-contested battle that swayed first one way and then the other.

Watching from the stands, the Auriverde fans - among them CSKA Moscow's Brazilian striker Vagner Love - looked on anxiously as their country's defence was subjected to an early battering. Roared on by a noisy and colourful contingent at the ground, the Falconets were quickly in the ascendancy, and tried valiantly to eke out an early advantage against the more fancied South Americans.

Despite being on the back foot for long periods in the first half, Brazil went ahead seconds before the break. Losing her marker after a corner kick, Fabiana stole in at the near post to head the opener past Tochukwu Oluehi.

Unperturbed, the Africans came out fighting after the break and were soon dominating possession. Cynthia Uwak, who had played a decisive part in her side's comeback against Canada in their group game, again showed great composure, this time angling a low side-footed shot into the far corner to square the match.

Just when it appeared as if extra-time was inevitable, the winning goal arrived. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Oluehi charged out of her area to stop the advancing Fabiana, but in so doing fouled the Brazilian and received her marching orders.

When the resulting Danielle free-kick on the edge of the box was touched on to the crossbar, Adriane was first to react, heading home the winner to spark jubilant celebrations on the Auriverde bench.


China PR march on

Ma Xiaoxu's dream of bringing not only the world championship trophy, but also the best player and top scorer awards back to China remains alive and well after this evening's hugely impressive victory over the hosts.

After surviving a few early scares, Russia's hopes took a dash in the eighth minute when Zi Jingjing, receiving an incisive assist from Ma, powered a waist-high shot past Todua in the Russian goal.

With the hosts going forward in a valiant attempt to breach the Chinese rearguard, the Steel Rosebuds struck again on 19 minutes. This time it was all Ma. With a skilful dribble near the byline, the Chinese captain found herself one-on-one with the keeper and curled her shot between Todua and the near post with the outside of her foot. It marked goal number five for the tournament top-scorer, who has now found the target in each of her side's games at Russia 2006.

Five minutes before the interval, the Asian side as good as ended the contest. Zhang Wei Shuang was on hand to stroke home her side's third after Zi Jingjing's long-range effort had come back off the post.

The persistent rain only added to the gloom for Valentín Grishin's side, who came out for the second half without their star striker Elena Danilova. Against all the odds, Russia's most promising young player bowed out of the tournament without a single goal, leaving her team-mates to go in search of a consolation strike.

China, however, had not finished yet and, with space opening up, managed to counter and grab their fourth. Closing in on goal with a player over, You Ria had time and space to chest down and flick home a measured cross all in one, elegant movement. With a place in the semis secure, the Chinese coach decided it was the right moment to substitute his captain and save her legs for the next battle.

The line up for the last four will be known on Sunday after the quarter-finals between USA and Germany and, later, Korea DPR and France at St Petersburg's Petrovsky stadium.

Germany lost 2day, but the usa are on fire

I have a higlights of the USA V Argentina game

http://www.sendspace.com/file/s64g57

Enjoy

Goals from the USA v Germany (not all) & Korea v France games (all) - English Comentary
HQ Xvid 1000kbs 58secs (8MB)
Download Verzend
Download Megaupload

Hey only just found this thread is there any upcoming games on tv that anyone knows of? thanks

Do you have Eurosport 2?? They are showing some highlights upcoming weeks

it's all over. I caught the final right up until th 78th minute. I certainlly didn't expect korea to win 5-0. But a job well done. I was very impressed by the offence of korea ,great speed to overcome the lacklustre defence of china!

Short Highlights of the final between China and N Korea

Highlights of the Final

I can't believe that we lose at 0-5.
But i am satisfied with this young team,some years later,they will be the one of the best women footballteam in the World.