Neid's heroes compete with Milan
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Article summary
Germany's hugely successful women's national side will go head to head with AC Milan for the World Team of the Year prize at the forthcoming Laureus awards.
Article body
Germany's women will go head to head with AC Milan for the World Team of the Year accolade at the forthcoming Laureus awards.
World Cup win
The annual ceremony, which this year will be held in St Petersburg on 18 February, recognises outstanding achievements in world sport. Germany became the first team to retain the FIFA Women's World Cup last year in China and also are well on their way to qualifying for UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™, in search of a fifth straight continental prize. They have already been honoured with the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany's highest honour for sporting distinction, by president Horst Köhler, with coach Silvia Neid decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross.
Rivals
Along with UEFA Champions League winners Milan, Germany are up against rugby union world champions South Africa, Formula One victors Ferrari, America's Cup holders Alinghi, Boston Red Sox for their Major League Baseball triumph and the all-conquering Australia cricketers. Previous football Teams of the Year were Manchester United FC (2000), Brazil (2003), Greece (2005) and current holders Italy, but no women's side in any sport has previously come out on top. Germany were, however, nominated in 2004 following their previous World Cup win.
