Copyright (c) 2011 Fédération Internationale de Football Association
The sixth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup took the feminine side of football to a whole new level. Being hosted by Germany from 26 June to 17 July 2011, the country, having already hosted the men's World Cup twice in 1974 and 2006, became only the third to host both men's and women's tournaments after Sweden (hosted in 1958) and the US (hosted in 1994) made their respective feats in 1995, 1999, and 2003 (replacing China).
Germany won the tournament's hosting rights on 30 October 2007, beating a bid from Canada (went on to host the next Women's World Cup) during a meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee. In the 2011 tournament, the matches were played in nine host cities around Germany, with the final played at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt.
There was a Cinderella story at the Frankfurt final, as Japan only became the first Asian side to win the cup after holding off the United States 2-2 at the end of regulation, and then beating the Americans at 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out.
For many, Japan's victory over Team USA in penalties was a meaningful conclusion to the tournament, especially in light of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which hit Eastern Japan earlier in the year. The Nadeshiko Japan, led by its star player Homare Sawa, combined slick passing with technical finesse to prove that women's football has truly arrived in every corner of the globe.
