Germany jet off to Canada dreaming of a third Fifa Women’s World Cup title

Silvia Neid, coach of Germany's women's national soccer team, talks to journalists at the airport in Frankfurt Main, Germany, 31 May 2015. Germany's national team departed to Canada for the Fifa Women's World Cup. EPA/FREDRIK VON ERICHSENShow less

Berlin // Germany jetted off to Canada on Sunday from Frankfurt with their women’s football team looking to emulate the men by bringing the World Cup trophy home from next month’s finals.

Like Joachim Loew’s Brazil 2014 winners, Germany’s women are top of the FIFA world rankings.

They open their World Cup campaign in group B next Sunday against the Ivory Coast in the capital Ottawa with Silvia Neid’s Germans looking to wrestle the trophy from holders Japan.

Having won the 2003 and 2007 World Cup titles, the Germans want to win their third crown in 12 years with the final being held in Vancouver on July 5.

“We have the dream of winning a third title, but we know how hard it will be,” said Neid, who steps down as Germany’s head coach after the tournament, before their flight.

“We want to acclimatise as quickly as possible and then remain in the tournament as long as possible,” she added.

But the Germans want to reach the final after being knocked out by Japan in the quarter-finals four years ago.

Germany come with a wealth of experience and 18 of their 23-strong squad won the European Championships in 2013 for the eighth time in their history.

“In terms of quality, we have the makings of a title-winning team, but many other teams also have what it takes,” said striker Celia Sasic with the USA, France and Japan also amongst the favourites.

In their group, Germany will also face Thailand, who are playing in their first World Cup final, as well as Norway, in a repeat of the 2013 European final.

With a round of 16 introduced for the first time, Germany will face seven matches if they are to reach the final.

And the 2015 World Cup finals also feature goal-line technology for the first time in the women’s game and the tournament will be played on artificial pitches.

The Germans held their pre-tournament training camp in Switzerland to get used to playing on the surface and beat the Swiss national team 3-1 in their final friendly last Wednesday.

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