FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007

FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007

'Gone were the ancients on the back of yellow cranes, and left was the desolate Yellow Crane Tower' was the poem by Cui Hao of Tang Dynasty that has made this symbolic building of Wuhan famous through the ages. However, even after the celebrities present at the Final Draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 returned home from Wuhan, the city, one of the five venues for the finals, was not desolate. Instead, with less than five months to go before kickoff, the hosts are deep in preparation for the tournament. Excitement still highThe excitement ignited by the draw and the festivities surrounding the event have yet to fade away since the ceremony, which was staged in Wuhan's Guanggu Science and Technology Exhibition Centre. 'Cranes were dancing while the draw caught the eyes across the world' was the top headline on the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Daily the following day. 'The city displayed her historic culture through the Crane Dancing before the watching world as the draw ceremony was broadcast live across over 120 countries. With the support of the passionate fans, Wuhan will definitely not disappoint in September,' the article read.
The pride of staging a successful Final Draw was shared by reporters from the Wuhan Morning Post. In the newspaper's cover story, titled 'Wuhan delighted the world with surprise', it was claimed that the draw was one of the best in the FIFA Women's World Cup history. 'The 35-minute entertainment added further splendor to the anticipated draw.'

China confidentDespite being grouped with Brazil, Denmark and New Zealand, the hosts were satisfied with the draw. "Generally it was a good draw for China," commented Sun Wen, the adidas Golden Ball and joint-adidas Golden Shoe winner at USA 1999. "I believe the team will fare well during the Women's World Cup as long as they can display what they normally do." "The opening game against Denmark on 12 September at Wuhan will possibly be the decider for China to qualify for the last eight from this group," continued Sun Wen. "Brazil will pose the biggest threat in the second game, while China can't afford any slips-up against New Zealand in the last game." With the fond memory of the draw still fresh, the hosts have intensified preparations and started to looking to the extravaganza of women's football, which will take place from 10-30 September. Zou Fei, a student from Central China Finance and Law University who worked as a volunteer with media department of the Local Organization Committee (LOC), could not hide her excitement after the draw. "It was a great experience to provide my part of contribution to such big an event," She told FIFA.com. "I am now looking to return to this job when the tournament begins in September and my next goal is to work as a volunteer at the football tournament for Beijing 2008." China's feelings were summed up by Xie Yalong, the Deputy President and General Secretary of the Chinese Football Association, who heads the LOC. "We thank Wuhan, FIFA and the LOC as it was their joint efforts that made the draw a successful one," he told FIFA.com." The event provided us with further organizational experience and we are confident that it will help us do a better job at the Women's World Cup."

-------From www.fifa.com