Hosts Germany eager for World Cup to start

Posted Friday, June 24, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

BERLIN (AFP) - With pressure mounting on the defending champions, hosts Germany are eager to get their women's world cup campaign underway on Sunday when they take on Canada.

Germany are bidding for a third-straight title, having won the 2007 and 2003 tournaments, and are the hot favourites to lift the title following the final in Frankfurt on July 17.

"We're going to give everything to lift the trophy again. Our goal is to be world champions," said Germany's star midfielder Fatmire Bajramaj.

The team has been in camp for several weeks and as their opening game at Berlin's Olympic Stadium draws closer, tension is building inside the squad with fierce competition for places.

"It has to start soon, or we'll go a bit crazy," admitted midfielder Melanie Behringer.

With training being tapered down, a scavenger hunt and a shopping trip in Germany's capital having been organised to keep the squad occupied, but all attention is on Sunday's Group A match.

"It's a bit like Christmas," said midfielder Celia Okoyina da Mbabi, who turns 23 on Monday.

"You know you will get a great gift, but that you can only open it up once Christmas Day has arrived."

Midfielder Kim Kulig has her lucky charm with her in Berlin: a signed playing shirt from her hero, England star Frank Lampard.

Having impressed in Germany's warm-up wins over North Korea, Italy, Holland and Norway, Kulig, who was part of the Germany squad which won the women's under-20 world cup last year on home soil, is set to start.

Striker Alexandra Popp, 20, is also bidding for a place in the side having scored five goals in the last three warm-up games.

Germany have a flawless record of nine wins from nine games against Canada, but the hosts are under enormous pressure.

"The Germans could suffer stage fright, particularly given all the supporters who?ll be there to encourage them," said Canada coach Carolina Morace.

"If we play well in the opening match, anything is possible.

"Germany will start as the overwhelming favourites: there?s no doubt about that."