Just 129 days to go – and then it’s kick-off time for “the Beautiful Side of 20Eleven”, when Germany will be hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The diplomatic kick-off for this major event in the sporting calendar took place on February 14, when the ambassadors of the fifteen participating countries were given a warm welcome in Berlin.

On behalf of the German Government and the Organizing Comitee (OC), Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière together with Steffi Jones, the President of OC, welcomed representatives of the countries participating in the Women’s World Cup.

Friendship-building through sport

Enlarge image Countdown for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 (© picture-alliance/dpa) Films on the Women’s World Cup cities and stadia and discussions on the importance of women’s football and Germany’s role as host country gave the guests a flavour of the excitement to come when this top international sporting event kicks off. In a festive yet relaxed atmosphere, Jones, Westerwelle and de Maizière spoke on a host of issues surrounding the forthcoming event. All three emphasized that the contest is not only a major sporting event but also serves to build bridges of friendship. As host also of the Men’s Football World Cup in 2006, Germany hopes this tournament, too, will be a “summer fairytale”.

“We’ve at last stepped onto the world stage. On our recent welcome tour we’ve been telling the participating countries about our plans for the first Women’s World Cup here in Germany. And just as important for us, we want also their ambassadors and the relevant communities here to know what’s going on. We’re greatly looking forward to all our guests and we’re doing our very best to ensure both the fans and the teams have a fantastic time,” explained Steffi Jones.

“Football builds bridges – across the barriers of language, politics and culture. Football brings people together from all over the world, it fosters international understanding. And football is very important in determining what image a country has abroad. In this sense the players in the 16 national teams taking part in the contest are clearly ambassadors for their countries. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming them soon to Germany,” Westerwelle said and thanked the guests for their support.

Talking about his World Cup wish, he added jokingly: “We want to win, of course – that’s not diplomatic, I’m afraid, but I won’t beat about the bush here.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Germany from June 26 to July 17, 2011. Besides the host Germany, the following countries will take part in the tournament: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Equatorial Guinea, France, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Sweden, the United States.