There have been few, if any, more popular and well-known players in the history of women’s football than former USA forward Mia Hamm. A genuine icon of the game, there is little that the now 39-year-old did not achieve in a sparking 17-year international career. Two FIFA Women’s World Cup™ titles (1991 and 1999) and two Women's Olympic Football Tournament golds (1996 and 2004) sit proudly at the top of her resume.
On a personal level, Hamm hit the back of the net on more occasions than any other male or female USA international, and is second behind only Kristine Lilly in terms of appearances. Such is the Selma, Alabama native's status in her homeland, the USA women’s national league (Women’s Professional Soccer) features a silhouette of Hamm on their logo.
FIFA.com caught up with her during her busy television schedule in Germany to chat about the changing face of the game, its rapid development and the tournament in general.
FIFA.com: Mia, what are your general thoughts on Germany 2011?
Mia Hamm: The tournament has been great. I think the level of play has been outstanding and there has been lots of excitement. The investment that FIFA and the LOC have made for this tournament has been tremendous. This tournament has also shown that the technical and tactical level is rising.
Could this tournament potentially be seen as a turning point in the growth of the women’s game?
I think so. Firstly, the fact that we had two new teams competing for the first time. And I think that anyone that saw either Equatorial Guinea or Colombia play didn’t walk away saying they way were light years behind. Both were physically and technically there, they had personalities in their group and were committed to playing attractive soccer.
On a personal level, Hamm hit the back of the net on more occasions than any other male or female USA international, and is second behind only Kristine Lilly in terms of appearances. Such is the Selma, Alabama native's status in her homeland, the USA women’s national league (Women’s Professional Soccer) features a silhouette of Hamm on their logo.
FIFA.com caught up with her during her busy television schedule in Germany to chat about the changing face of the game, its rapid development and the tournament in general.
FIFA.com: Mia, what are your general thoughts on Germany 2011?
Mia Hamm: The tournament has been great. I think the level of play has been outstanding and there has been lots of excitement. The investment that FIFA and the LOC have made for this tournament has been tremendous. This tournament has also shown that the technical and tactical level is rising.
Could this tournament potentially be seen as a turning point in the growth of the women’s game?
I think so. Firstly, the fact that we had two new teams competing for the first time. And I think that anyone that saw either Equatorial Guinea or Colombia play didn’t walk away saying they way were light years behind. Both were physically and technically there, they had personalities in their group and were committed to playing attractive soccer.
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