Germans Dominate Nominations for FIFA

Germans Dominate Nominations for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year and Coach of the Year

The shortlists for the newly merged Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Player and Coach of the World Award were trimmed down to three and announced on December 6. Voting for the award is now done by players (captains), coaches, and journalist combined. The women of Germany have provided four out of the six candidates on the players and coaches list.

Brazilian international superstar, Marta, appears again to be the heavy favorite against strong Germen competitors, Fatmire Bajramaj and Brigit Prinz for player of the year. Marta recently led Brazil to the women’s South American championship. Marta was also unstoppable in the USA’s Women’s Professional Soccer league during the 2010 season. While playing for the now folded FC Gold Pride, Marta tallied 19 goals while earning player MVP in the WPS championship game. She was also awarded the Golden Boot for the second consecutive year.

Birgit Prinz is currently leading her first place Bundesliga club team, FFC Frankfurt, with 17 goals. With Germany automatically qualifying for the Women’s World Cup, it was a quiet year for their National Team in terms of number of games as compared to other countries. Yet at age 33, Prinz remains the face of the German team, having scored a total of 126 international goals. Her lists of awards, achievements, and championships are impressive and ensure her as one of the greatest women‘s players of all time.

Another German National Team superstar, Fatmire Bajramaj is enjoying a successful club season as well. She has scored eight goals and two assists for the defending UEFA champions, FFC Turbine Potsdam. At just 22 years of age, she provides solid evidence that Germany’s continual international success remains secure.

Germany’s two attackers will have to sway many voters who will be drawn to Marta’s flare, speed, and finishing touch. Marta has been the World’s superstar and will not likely be dethroned unless a new sensation dominates the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

USA’s coach Pia Sundhage looks to be the favorite to win coach of the year over Germany’s Silvia Neid and U-20 coach Maren Meinert. Sundhage has led the FIFA number one ranked USA to a 2010 record of 15 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws. Despite failing to win the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament, Sundhage and the USA managed to qualify by defeating Italy in a play-off. Sundhage may have the edge over Germany’s National team’s senior coach, Silvia Neid, as the USA defeated Germany twice in 2010. Meinert may be the underdog, but has an impressive 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup championship to add to her list of accomplishments. Voters may be reluctant to vote for Sundhage due to the USA’s ugly technical performances as of late. If so, Meinert may be awarded for leading the young Germans to an impressive U-20 championship.

Listed below are the original short lists:

Women’s World Player 2010:Camille Abily (France), Fatmire Bajramaj (Germany), So Yun Ji (Korea Republic), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Caroline Seger (Sweden), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Kelly Smith (England), Hope Solo (USA) and Abby Wambach (USA).

FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football 2010:Bruno Bini (France/France national team), In Cheul Choi (Korea Republic/Korea Republic U-20 national team), Maren Meinert (Germany/Germany U-20 national team), Albertin Montoya (USA/FC Gold Pride), Silvia Neid (Germany/Germany national team), Hope Powell (England/England national team), Norio Sasaki (Japan/Japan national team), Bernd Schröder (Germany/FFC Turbine Potsdam), Pia Sundhage (Sweden/USA national team), Béatrice von Siebenthal (Switzerland/Switzerland national team).

Mary Burns

Sources:
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/fifaballondor/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/coachoftheyear/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/ballondor/media/newsid=1323915/index.html