FIFA U20 Women's World Cup 2010
Women U20 / Photo: Agentur Kunz/OK FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup 2010 kicked off on 13 July 2010 in Bochum. One year before the FIFA Women's World Cup, Germany played host for the first time to a football championship for juniors. The U-20 World Cup was held at four venues: Bochum, Augsburg, Dresden and Bielefeld. With 23,000 seats, Bochum Stadium was the smallest World Cup arena.
Women's football has grown in popularity over recent years. For instance, in Germany alone, 21 per cent more women and girls play football than in 2000. Internationally the figure is no less than 19 per cent. For the first time ever, membership statistics provided by the German Football Association (DFB) include over one million females - and that number is set to increase. The successes and positive image of the German women's team have doubtlessly contributed to this development. With Bochum as one of four venues in Germany, the European Capital of Culture RUHR.2010 was well represented at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
The group including Germany as host nation launched the World Cup in Bochum Stadium on 13 July 2010 - immediately after the men's FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. A special feature of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was that the opening match and the group games, and the final and the third place play-off, were played as double-bill events, allowing spectators to watch two matches with one ticket. No less than four games were held during Bochum's Local Heroes Week. The final was held on 1 August in Bielefeld.
An entertaining cultural programme organised by the German Football Association for spectators, participants and the people of Bochum rounded off the sports event. The City of Bochum hosted a one-day city centre festival and an exhibition on the history of women's football entitled "Ridiculed, prohibited and celebrated".
Matches in Bochum (rewirpower Stadium)
- Opening match: 13 July 2010
- Group matches: 13 July 2010, 16 July 2010, 21 July 2010
- Quarter finals: 24 July 2010
- Semi-finals: 29 July 2010
Final on 1 August 2010 in Bielefeld