Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women's World Cup on Sunday from Frankfurt, Germany, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.
CBCSports.ca's John F. Molinaro writes that of all the adjectives used to describe Japan's amazing run in winning the FIFA Women's World Cup, one stands above the rest: classy.
For a sport so globally dominated by men, what did we learn about the women's game at its highest level? Nigel Reed offers his impressions of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The players on Japan's Women's World Cup team invoked the slow recovery from a devastating tsunami and earthquake time and again. Whatever they could do, they vowed, they would.
Rogers Sportsnet commentator Gerry Dobson writes that third place match between France and Sweden on Saturday served as a microcosm for the entire Women's World Cup.
The United States seeks a third FIFA Women's World Cup crown and Japan will attempt to become the first Asian nation to win the title when the two teams meet in Sunday's final from Frankfurt, Germany (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 2:30 p.m. ET).