Record Crowd For Germany v Brazil Women's Match

Nearly 45,000 Spectators Watch Top Women's Football, Slogan Unveiled

Apr 23, 2009 David Hein

Football giants Germany and Brazil played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly in front of a record crowd on the same day the slogan for the 2011 World Cup was unveiled.

The two-time reigning women's world champions Germany earned only a 1-1 draw in their international friendly against fellow powerhouse Brazil. Anja Mittag gave Germany the lead in the 24th minute but saw Maurine equalize 12 minutes later in a re-match of the 2007 World Cup final. And neither side scored the rest of the way in Frankfurt.

Birgit Prinz Injured

Germany's all-time cap holder and team leader Birgit Prinz was subbed out late in the first half with what doctors feared could be a broken rib. The 31-year-old Prinz admits she is still uncertain if she will play at the 2011 World Cup.

Both Teams Out For Revenge

Both nations were out for revenge for recent losses. Brazil lost the 2007 World Cup final 2-0 while Germany were handled easily 4-1 by Brazil in the 2008 Olympic final. And neither team rested their top players as 14 players from the 2007 final were in the starting line-ups on April 22, 2009.

Germany Looking For Weaknesses Ahead Of Summer Euro

German national team coach Silvia Neid said she was hoping the game would expose weaknesses in the world powers which the team could work on improving before trying to defend their crown at the European Championship from August 23-September 10 in Finland.

European Record Crowd For 2011 World Cup Hosts

The high-profile friendly was also a warm-up for the 2011 World Cup, to be hosted in Germany (June 26 – July 17, 2011) with the match being played at same Frankfurt stadium which will host the 2011 final. A European record of 44,825 spectators showed up for the match, and German federation officials said the contest set a new record by making 450,000 euros. The previous audience mark was 29,093 spectators.

2011 Women's World Cup Slogan Unveiled

The 2011 Women's World Cup organizers also used the Germany-Brazil highlight to unveil the slogan for the football spectacle - "The Beautiful Side Of 20Eleven" - "20elf von seiner schönsten Seite!" in German.

Organizing Boss Jones Praises Slogan

Steffi Jones, president of the 2011 World Cup organizing committee, praised the slogan, telling a press conference: "Together with the stylized ‘Arena Deutschland’ logo, the slogan is a leitmotiv and umbrella branding device, forming the communications parentheses for our inspiring project, and setting the objectives and tone for all our efforts."

She added that the phrase " encapsulates the emotional impact of the game, the specific aesthetics and dynamism of women’s football, and the unique atmosphere of a World Cup".

Beckenbauer And Blatter Support Slogan As Well

German legend and FIFA executive committee member Franz Beckenbauer, who headed the 2006 World Cup Germany organizing team added: "Football is the most beautiful thing in the world. The slogan expresses this perfectly.”

And FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter added: "Women’s football is no longer something for the future. It is real, here and now, and merely waiting for further development. I can already visualize the thrilled crowds packed into sold-out stadiums, keen to experience women’s football from its most beautiful side in 2011, a year set to pave the way to the future.”

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