There are few times in your life where you get to write the final chapter the way you want things.

-Mia Hamm

As many of you know, I'm a huge women's soccer fan. After my wonderful experiences at the Women's World cup last year (see here and here) I've been following more international soccer, and especially my friends on the German team. The Olympics was great because their games were on TV, so I got to watch them play again.

Once again I was rooting for Germany, even when they played the US Women. But I must admit that this time I wasn't rooting nearly as hard for them. While I consider many of the players on the German team to be my friends, the US women were playing for something special this time around. Several of the true pioneers of the sport were retiring, and deep down I wanted to see them get a gold medal (and their first major tournament win since '99.) Yes, I watched the game live, and yes I was wearing my German jersey in support - but my heart wasn't in it like it was during the US-Germany Semi at the World Cup. In the end I think what happened was the perfect result. Germany pulled it together and forced the US into extra time. They made a respectable showing and still got to stand on a medal stand.

I think the story of Mia Hamm and the other '91 World Cup players in fantastic. These women started when Women's Soccer was essentially a hobby, and have grown it into a real life international competition. They got this country interested in Soccer during the Olympics in '96 and the World Cup in '99. They created a professional league that allowed players from all over the world to dramatically improve their skills. They were so good at encouraging women's soccer that now the quality level of teams around the world is rising. Germany is now a legitmate power, and Brazil was amazing at these Olympics. It used to be there were just 2-3 elite women's teams - that number grows every year now with lots of countries knocking on the door.

Watching Germany again was great as well. Birgit Prinze gets a lot of press, but after seeing her in person I now have an understand for how big and powerful she is and that comes across on TV if you know what to look for (Abby Wambach is the same.) It was great to see Conny Pohlers play, since she was mostly a sub during the World Cup - and incredibly excited to be there, her video camera went everywhere with her. I got to check out Silke Rottenberg's new hairstyle, which makes her look like a California surfer (mental note: must write her a congratulations letter.) And I got to see Sonja Fuss play for the first time, since she never came off the bench in the games I saw at the World Cup (she did great vs. the US too - especially since she had more time then expected with the 30 minutes of extended time.)

I've even kicked around going to Europe this fall for a match the German's are playing in Berlin. I haven't been out of the country in a few years, but It's looking like that won't fit into my schedule. I'm certainly going to try to go to Europe sometime soon and watch them play on their home turf. Then they'll be playing in Vancouver in September 2005, and I'll definitely be at that game.

Overall, well done to all the players. It was a hard fought tournament, and everyone played their hearts out. That's all I ask as a spectator and fan.

Side note: The WUSA is trying to make a comeback. I wish there was a Seattle team, I'd pledge my support in a heartbeat. If you're a Women's Soccer fan and live in one of their markets go check out their pledge program.

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