(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-10-16 10:35

STAGING RIGHTS

Franz Beckenbauer, organiser of the 2006 men's World Cup in Germany, said he hoped the country would win the right to stage the 2011 women's World Cup when FIFA pick the hosts on October 30.

"It would be a well-earned reward for the fantastic accomplishments of our women's team," Beckenbauer said in an interview on the DFB Web site (www.dfb.de) recently.

The DFB is now proud of its women's teams and says that more than 656,000 women participate in organised soccer.

Nevertheless, the women's game struggles at club level. Wages are low and few players can manage without other jobs.

"Most of the women players have to work other jobs and play only part-time," said Angerer, who plays for Turbine Potsdam.

Clubs in the 12-team women's Bundesliga have low revenues and get little support from fans and corporate sponsors.

League leaders FCC Frankfurt averaged 1,000 spectators per home game, sporting director Siegfried Dietrich told Reuters. By contrast, Bayern Munich who lead the men's Bundesliga average 69,000 spectators per home match.

Despite the problems, German women are optimistic about the future. The game is booming among younger players and there are now 6,292 girls' teams registered with the DFB, almost triple the 2,148 in 1996, federation spokesman Niels Barnhofer said.

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