Steffi Jones talks about the FIFA Women’s World Cup
An interview with Steffi Jones, the former national football player and upcoming head coach for the German women’s team, on their chances in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada 2015.
She knows what she is talking about: Steffi Jones has played 111 times for the German national team. During her years with the team she was a winner in the World Cup and the European Championship. From 2008 until 2011 Ms Jones was president of the organising committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. Now 42 years old, she is the German Football Association’s (DFB) director of girls’ and women’s football, and in 2016 she will succeed Silvia Neid as head coach of Germany’s national women’s team.
Ms Jones, what are the chances of the German team in the Women’s World Cup in Canada?
It would be a major success if we could make it through to the four best teams in the world. That would also qualify us for the next Olympic Games. But it will be a tough challenge, because the level of performance in international women’s football has risen remarkably in recent years. What’s more, we might well come up against a really tough opponent in the quarter finals: for instance, we could encounter the French team who are one of the top favourites for the title.
What are the strengths of the German team?
Basically, I believe that our team spirit, which was a decisive success factor in the 2013 European Championship, will play an important role again. In fact, team unity has always been one of our outstanding strengths.
Which teams are particularly good in your opinion?
As the national coach, Silvia Neid, has already said, there are eight teams that have the potential to win the World Cup: Norway, France, Sweden, the USA, Canada, Japan, Brazil, and our own team as well. But there are a number of other strong teams, such as Nigeria, Australia, Spain and England who could give the favourites a few surprises in the tournament.
What are your expectations from the World Cup in Canada for the sport itself?
We’ll have to wait and see. So far, every tournament has provided impulses for the further development of women’s football. And I’m expecting the World Cup in Canada to inspire new trends as well.
What will the atmosphere be like during the World Cup?
I was in Canada during the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and was able to gain an impression. Even then I could already feel an exciting sense of anticipation for the Women’s World Cup. The Canadians are really looking forward to the World Cup. They are full of curiosity and excellent hosts. They want to show themselves from their best side, and they gained a great deal of inspiration from the 2011 World Cup in Germany. I think it will be a really stimulating tournament with packed stadiums and an impressive atmosphere.
The matches in Canada will be played on artificial turf. Will this influence performance?
I think that the technically strong teams will have an advantage. But of course, it is a different kind of game, above all faster, and the players will have to adjust at first. But I reckon they will manage that fairly quickly.
There are 24 teams in the contest, more than ever before. Are you worried that there will be big differences in the standard of play?
I definitely think it is right that the World Cup competition has been increased to 24 teams. That is good for the development of our sport and for the teams who can now take part for the first time, even though we may see a few unusual results on occasions
Do you think that the World Cup will give women’s football another boost?
Definitely. It will leave its mark. Above all in the host country. We experienced the same thing in 2011: women’s football is now fully established in society, and girls no longer have to justify themselves if they want to play football. Lots of girls will be inspired to start playing. And I expect the tournament will have similar effects in North America, too.
Do you sometimes feel the urge to put your football boots on again?
I still sometimes play in the DFB company team, and I do other sporty things as well. That’s enough (she laughs).
Interview: Thomas Kilchenstein
FIFA Women’s World Cup from 6 June to 5 July 2015 in Canada
http://de.fifa.com/womensworldcup
