Welcome to the final World Cup group preview featuring Brazil, Norway, Australia and Equatorial Guinea. This group will likely come down to the Brazil-Norway match to determine who finishes first and second. Norway has been one of women's soccer greatest powers while Brazil have dominated South America due to the all-world talents of Marta. The key is if they can avoid a slip against Asian champion Australia or newcomer Equatorial Guinea.
Group D
Brazil - Samba Queens, Looking To Avoid Being A Bridesmaid
Brazil are still looking for their first major trophy in women's soccer as they have finished as the runner-ups in the past World Cup and Olympic Games. However, this by all accounts does not mean that Brazil are pushovers. Buoyed by some of the best players in the women's game the Brazilians have been leading a revolution of attacking soccer. The questions though do remain if Brazil can finally break through and claim their first title.
Key Player - Marta
There is nothing that the 24 year-old Marta has yet to accomplish as an individual. She is the defending four-time World Player of the Year and has more attacking flair in one leg than many of her male counterparts. Marta will be fantastic at this tournament, and you can take that to the bank.
Norway - The Standard Bearers From Europe
Norway have accomplished everything in women's football, winning a World Cup, an Olympic gold medal and the European Championship. The overriding theme to any success that Norway has had has been their defensive tenacity and organization. Buoyed by some of the best defensive players ever in women's soccer Norway will always be a force at any international tournament. Furthermore, they have at least reached the quarterfinals in any tournament they have entered.
Key Player - Lene Mykjaland
Lene Mykjaland is one of Norway's young strikers who applies her trade for the Washington Freedom of the WPS. Mykjaland will be counted upon to provide the attacking flair for this usually strong defensive team.
Australia - Asian's Champion, Yet Can They Advance
Australia surprised nearly everyone, well not themselves, when they defeated Japan and North Korea en route to the Asian Cup. This is the first time that any team from Australia, both men's and women's, that has ever won a continental competition, excluding of course Oceania. Australia, however, have found it tough in a group with Brazil and Norway and will need a result against one of those powerhouses in order to have any chance to advance to the knock out stages.
Key Player - Lisa De Vanna
Lisa De Vanna is a lightning rod for not only the opposition but also for her own team. Recently banished from the pre-tournament camp for not fulfilling her media obligations, De Vanna was recalled to the team in the past couple of weeks. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that De Vanna is Australia's most important player and her return to the national team set-up will only help.
Equatorial Guinea - Where Did They Come From
There is no doubt that many fans of the beautiful game are shaking their head at how Equatorial Guinea qualified for the World Cup. However, let's put everything into perspective here. Even though they are a small country, Guinea's success has been building for the past couple of years due to strong showings in regional competitions and youth tournaments. Although many are pegging Guinea to not find any success in this tournament, the players will be eager to make a name for themselves on the greatest of footballing stages.
Key Player - Miriam Paixao Silva
Sometimes you need to give a little love to the goalkeeper and in this situation when such an underdog qualifies for the World Cup, well it is well deserved. Therefore Silva will be Guinea's key player during this tournament and her play will dictate how respectable the scores are during their matches.
Projected Order Of Finish
Brazil
Norway
Australia
Equatorial Guinea
Cheesy Photo Opportunity Of All The Head Coaches
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