July 3 – Who is the best Women’s player in the world? The most high profile women’s world cup ever is creating national and international stars, and – after a long wait – significant numbers of recognisable names in the women’s game. FIFA has announced its shortlists for the adidas Golden Ball, adidas Golden Glove and Hyundai Young Player awards.
The lists have been drawn up by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) who will announce their final decisions after the World Cup final on July 5.
Of the nominees for the adidas Golden Ball (best player) five of the eight will be playing for the US or Japan in the final. The other three nominees are from Europe (Germany, France and England) and include England’s Lucy Bronze (pictured) going for Gold.
Two of the three goalkeeper nominations will be playing in the final. None of the three nominations for Hyundai Young Player Award play for countries that made it past the quarter finals.
Nominated players are:
adidas Golden Ball – will be awarded to the best player of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. The adidas Silver and Bronze Ball Awards will be presented to the second and third-best players.
• Saori Ariyoshi (JPN)
• Lucy Bronze (ENG)
• Amandine Henry (FRA)
• Julie Johnston (USA)
• Carli Lloyd (USA)
• Aya Miyama (JPN)
• Megan Rapinoe (USA)
• Celia Sasic (GER)
adidas Golden Glove, presented to the tournament’s best goalkeeper:
• Nadine Angerer (GER)
• Ayumi Kaihori (JPN)
• Hope Solo (USA)
Hyundai Young Player Award, presented to the best young footballer born on or after 1 July 1995.
• Kadeisha Buchanan (CAN)
• Ada Hegerberg (NOR)
• Jiali Tang (CHN)
In a separate poll, forward Toni Duggan was voted the sexiest female footballer from the 2015 England FIFA squad. IllicitEncounters.com the UK’s largest married dating site polled 600 of its male members. Duggan cam out on top with 17% of the vote, followed by Alex Greenwood (14%) and Katie Chapman (10%). She can play football as well and was millimetres away from winning the semi-final for England after a stunning shot from outside the box beat the Japanese keeper only to hit the bar and bounce out.
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