Fans in Germany are preparing for a soccer festival this summer with the arrival of the FIFA Women's World Cup. (Getty Images)
Some have worked and waited a lifetime for this chance. A combination of sacrifice, dedication and determination has all led to this moment. There is one mission. Become World Champions.
The FIFA Women's World Cup is the pinnacle of women's soccer. It is a celebration of a sport which has grown out of all proportion over the last 20 years. Once every four years it showcases the finest female players on the planet.
Sixteen nations from around the world are in Germany to compete in the sixth edition of the Women's World Cup. The best of the best are all present and all will believe this is their time.
Hosts Germany aims to lift the trophy for the third consecutive World Cup. With home advantage and a team bristling with proven stars, the Germans are among the favourites to win it all again. But, along the way, they will face stiff competition.
The United States is a perennial contender. The Americans, winners of the first Women's World Cup in 1991 and again in 1999, have never finished lower than third place. They are expected to feature strongly in Germany, but the rest of the world is catching up fast.
Brazil, for so long masters of the men's game, now has a women's team to be proud of. The Brazilians served notice of intent by finishing runners-up at the 2007 Women's World Cup in China and the brilliant forward Marta hopes to lead her team to glory in Germany.
The Scandinavian contingent cannot be discounted. Sweden and Norway were among the pioneers of women's football and continue to develop the game. In the Far East, meanwhile, Japan and North Korea have both invested heavily in the sport.
Canada could also be a contender. Under the expert coaching of Italian Carolina Morace, the Canadians have embraced a fresh approach and style, giving rise to genuine optimism. Captain Christine Sinclair is an inspiration and one of the world's finest goal scorers.
Germany, only the second European country to stage the Women's World Cup, is an ideal host. It is only five years since it welcomed the world for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and nine stadiums in as many cities will act as tournament venues.
The 2011 Women's World Cup kicks off where the 2006 World Cup ended. The Olympic Stadium in Berlin will stage only the opening match of the tournament. More than 70-000 fans are expected for the curtain raiser between Germany and Canada.
It is estimated a million tickets will be available for the 32 matches across Germany. There will be no shortage of takers. The German Football Association (DFB) has more than 6.5 million registered players, of which more than a million are female.
The tournament will be seen in more than 200 territories worldwide, reflecting the growing interest and global importance of women's football.
The stage is set. The time is now. Let the games begin!
Follow Nigel Reed on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/Nigel_Reed
