Many believe that women's football is not a serious activity, but in fact it is not, because this direction in sports is represented in important international competitions. There are different types of football, which are actively developing around the world.
The history of women's football
The first mention of the fact that women play football, date back to the end of the XIX and the beginning of the twentieth century. Few people will be surprised that English women have become pioneers. There are photos confirming the ball game, dating back to 1890. As for when the women's football in Russia appeared, this event dates back to 1911. The modern stage of the development of this sporting trend in Europe began in the 60s of the last century. Since that time international competitions have been held, and the leaders of the team are America, Germany, Norway and Sweden.
Women's football competition
Recently, this direction of sports is actively developing, and all thanks to the tireless work of UEFA and associations of different countries that train judges, organize competitions and other administrative matters. Football among women's teams is included in international competitions, for example, in the World and European Championships, as well as in the Olympic Games. Every year more and more teams take part in them.
Women's World Cup
This is one of the main competitions held internationally among women under the auspices of FIFA. He is considered the most important tournament in modern women's football. For the first time the World Championship was held in 1991 and since then it has been organized every four years, and certainly the next year after the men's championship. Playing women's football in the final part can only be 24 teams. The final stage lasts a month, but the qualifying matches are held for three years.
European Women's Soccer Championship
The main competition for European women's national teams. The predecessor of his appearance was the tournament on women's football, held in 1980 by UEFA. With the development of this area in sports, the competition was recognized as official and in 1990 it was called the European Championship. Initially, it was held every two years, but now the gap is increased to once in four years. For women, the European Football Championship is held, as for men, that is, first the distribution of groups, qualifying matches, and so on.
Women's football at the Olympics
Many athletes dream of becoming the owner of medals at the Olympics, and women who play football can count on this. For the first time this sport was included in the Olympics in 1996, and then it was held in Atlanta. In the first competitions there were only eight teams, and then their number increased. To play football, women in the Olympics are divided into groups, as well as at the World Championships.
Types of women's football
Although football, which is engaged in the fair sex, is not developing as actively as the male direction, but there are several varieties of this sport, where women's teams are represented. In addition to classical football, there are teams in both beach and mini football. Separate attention deserves the women's national football team, as many men have recognized that this is the most spectacular game performed by the ladies.
Women's Classic Soccer
Although this sport appeared more than 100 years ago, it is still associated with different stereotypes , which to some extent inhibit its development. Widespread myths that women's football harms the body of women and spoils their figure. Many believe that this sport has no prospects, so coaches face a shortage of talented athletes, which is not typical of men's football. Beautiful women's football is based on team cohesion, in which discipline and the presence of a leader are of great importance.
Many are interested in whether there are differences between men's and women's football, so if you rely on rules, then in both directions they are identical. The difference is manifested exclusively as a game. The referees assert that women are distinguished by higher accuracy, therefore the number of goals is almost equal to "dangerous" moments. In addition, women's football is considered more aggressive, because participants often use different techniques. Another difference is that women across the field do not move as fast as men, so the game looks slower.
American Football
The League of American Football for Women was created in 2013 and before it was called the "League of Football in Underwear ." The games attract male spectators, because the participants wear protection, bra and panties. And under the basic form of additional linen can not be. The women's league of American football implies a game between two teams of seven. The match includes two halves of 17 minutes each. with a break of 15 minutes. If the regular time ends with an equal score, then the game can be extended several times for 8 minutes until the winner is determined.
Initially, women's American football was planned exclusively as part of the show in the break of the final match of the national league in American football. Thanks to the huge popularity of the action, they began to conduct full-fledged matches. "Football League in lingerie" is considered a lightweight version of American football. A number of rules are simplified: the field is smaller, there are no gates and there are not so many players in the teams. In this sport they recruit sexy girls with spectacular appearance.
Women's mini-football
In different countries, women are engaged in mini-football (its other name is futsal). If the usual women's football is still somehow developing, and it is officially included in international competitions, then we can not speak about the mini version. The FIFA World Cup is held according to FIFA rules from 2010 (the tournament was held in Spain, and the first was the Brazilian national team), but it is still unofficial and it is independently organized by the leading countries. Association of women's mini-football is in Russia, Ukraine and other countries.
Women's Beach Soccer
This sport uses the rules of ordinary football, and games are played on sandy beaches. A soft covering makes players much to improvise and use different techniques. For beach football a smaller field is used, which gives players a chance to score in the goal from any position, so the goals are fixed very often. At international tournaments only male teams are represented, and the women's football team plays more at competitions within the borders of a specific country.
Ranking of women's national football teams
The official system for identifying the best national teams was introduced in 1993 as a relative indicator of the strength of the teams at the moment. FIFA rating of women's national football teams helps to track the dynamics of the growth of teams. The number of points is determined on the basis of successful performances of the team for the last four years. There are certain rules, according to which points are charged. In women's football the best are the national teams of such countries:
- America;
- Germany;
- England;
- Australia;
- Canada;
- France;
- The Netherlands;
- Brazil;
- Japan;
- Sweden.
Stars of women's football
The International Football Federation periodically announces a list of applicants for the title of Top Players. If the best women's football team is determined by the number of points, then a vote is taken for the player, which takes into account the voices of the coaches of women's teams, team captains, fans and 200 media representatives. Now women's football is difficult to imagine without the following participants:
- Sarah Dabritz "Bavaria". The girl with her team became the champion of Europe and took gold medals at the 2016 Olympics. She is considered the main hope of German women's football. Progress of Sarah is observed every year.
- Camille Abili "Lyon". Experienced player of the French national team, who was twice recognized as the best in France. As part of her team, she has repeatedly won the Champions League.
- Melanie Behringer "Bavaria". During the time of participation in the national team the girl became the champion of Europe, the world and even received gold at the Olympiad in Rio de Janeiro. Melanie is known for her excellent long-range strike.
- Martha "Rusengord." The girl is considered the best football player of the world in history. She was recognized as the best player of the planet five times. Martha is often compared to such well-known players as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
- Carly Lloyd "Houston". The most famous star of the US team, which received the award as the best football player in the world. In America, the girl is a real idol. As part of the team, she won two Olympic Games and received gold at the World Championships.
Movies about women's football
Not many movies dedicated to women's football, but several films to have fun have:
- " Play like Beckham ." The list of films about women's football will begin with a story about a young Indian girl who is a fan of Beckham. The girl's parents forbid her to play, but she deceives them and participates in the women's team. A well-known coach from America noted the girl's talent.
- " She's a man ." A story about a girl who does not imagine her life without football, but the women's team is dismissed. As a result, she changes into a brother and secretly enters the men's team to prove that she is worthy.
- " Gracie ." The film tells of a girl who decided to continue the work of her brother, who was a budding football player, but he died in a catastrophe. Her goal is to take a place in his team to honor his brother's memory.
- " Footballers ". Wives of amateur footballers are tired of the constant employment of their men, and they offer them a bet - play a football match. In case of victory, the second halves forever forget about football, but they do not know that the coach of the national team will teach women how to play.
- " Men's women's game ." To build a construction company to win a tender for the construction of the stadium, the leadership must assemble the women's team. As a result, employees who have nothing to do with football have to enter the field.