Question: What are your hopes for the U-20 Women's World Cup?
Beckenbauer: I was there at the previous U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile and was really impressed by both the atmosphere in the stadiums and the quality of some of the teams. Germany is the biggest country in terms of women's football, and I hope that we can provide a framework that is at least as good (as Chile).
Jones: As well as making sure that the organisational processes go seamlessly, we as an OC are required to create an exciting atmosphere in the stadiums. Enthusiasm, well-filled stadiums and attractive matches are all part of the World Cup experience.
Question: What is the main attraction of the tournament?
Beckenbauer: At a senior World Cup, it's mainly about results, which at the end of the day is only to be expected. For women's U-20 players, it's different. They seem to be bearing down on goal throughout the match without ever letting up, constantly attacking and trying to impress enough to get into the senior team. Fans often complain that football has become too defensive; the U-20 Women's World Cup is the perfect opportunity to see the exact opposite.
Jones: I totally agree, the way the U-20 teams play certainly is appealing. Augsburg, Bielefeld, Bochum and Dresden will also be experiencing that certain je ne sais quoi that a FIFA event has to offer, which will provide a further incentive for both the cities in question and the fans.
Question: Which young players have particularly caught your eye recently?
Beckenbauer: Dzsenifer Marozsan had a particularly good tournament at the U-17 World Cup in New Zealand – so much so that I ended up presenting her with the golden shoe as the tournament's top scorer. She will definitely be a force to be reckoned with as part of Germany's team at the U-20 World Cup on home soil. In Chile, Kim Kulig and Katharina Baunach were the ones who really stood out for me, and that's why both of them have made the step up to the senior team.
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In her capacity as President of the OC, Steffi Jones has a key role to play in the preparation and running of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup being held in the German cities of Augsburg, Bielefeld, Bochum and Dresden from 13 July to 1 August 2010. Equally important are the tasks incumbent on Franz Beckenbauer, who is Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups and who is actively involved in promoting and developing both tournaments.
Ahead of the official launch of the tournament on Thursday in Bielefeld, these two legends of German football sat down together for an exclusive interview with dfb.de to outline their hopes and expectations for the first ever U-20 Women's World Cup to be held in Germany.
Question: Mr Beckenbauer, being named Chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women's World Cups was not something that you were necessarily expecting. What are you enjoying most about these tasks?
Franz Beckenbauer: It was absolutely fascinating to watch such talented youngsters playing at both the U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and the U-20 World Cup in Chile. Both tournaments are incredibly important in improving the level of women's football throughout the globe, and I'm delighted to be a part of it.
Steffi Jones: Having Franz Beckenbauer as Chairman of the Committee is such a plus for women's football. He was the reason that many girls actually became interested in football in the first place. Having him working for the U-20 World Cup is more than we could ever have hoped for.
Question: What will you both be doing on 1 August 2010?
Beckenbauer: Obviously I'll be in Bielefeld. I hope that we'll have two wonderful tournaments in 2010 – the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the U-20 Women's World Cup 2010 here in Germany – with two equally exciting Finals, on 11 July in Johannesburg and 1 August in Bielefeld. My aim is to see as many live matches as possible at both World Cups.
Jones: On 1 August I hope to be watching the final of the U-20 Women's World Cup at a sold-out stadium in Bielefeld. All four venues for the Women's World Cup 2010 are really getting involved in the preparations and I think that we can look forward to an exciting and attractive tournament. U-20 teams always look to go out and score, so fans can expect an attacking, goal-packed World Cup.
Question: What are your hopes for the U-20 Women's World Cup?
Beckenbauer: I was there at the previous U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile and was really impressed by both the atmosphere in the stadiums and the quality of some of the teams. Germany is the biggest country in terms of women's football, and I hope that we can provide a framework that is at least as good (as Chile).
Jones: As well as making sure that the organisational processes go seamlessly, we as an OC are required to create an exciting atmosphere in the stadiums. Enthusiasm, well-filled stadiums and attractive matches are all part of the World Cup experience.
Question: What is the main attraction of the tournament?
Beckenbauer: At a senior World Cup, it's mainly about results, which at the end of the day is only to be expected. For women's U-20 players, it's different. They seem to be bearing down on goal throughout the match without ever letting up, constantly attacking and trying to impress enough to get into the senior team. Fans often complain that football has become too defensive; the U-20 Women's World Cup is the perfect opportunity to see the exact opposite.
Jones: I totally agree, the way the U-20 teams play certainly is appealing. Augsburg, Bielefeld, Bochum and Dresden will also be experiencing that certain je ne sais quoi that a FIFA event has to offer, which will provide a further incentive for both the cities in question and the fans.
Question: Which young players have particularly caught your eye recently?
Beckenbauer: Dzsenifer Marozsan had a particularly good tournament at the U-17 World Cup in New Zealand – so much so that I ended up presenting her with the golden shoe as the tournament's top scorer. She will definitely be a force to be reckoned with as part of Germany's team at the U-20 World Cup on home soil. In Chile, Kim Kulig and Katharina Baunach were the ones who really stood out for me, and that's why both of them have made the step up to the senior team.
Jones: There are a lot of talented players to keep an eye on, and I think that one or two of them also have the potential to be playing in the senior tournament in 2011. In any case, players like Inka Wesely and Bianca Schmidt are definitely worth a look – we certainly aren't short of decent players coming through the ranks.
Question: Kim Kulig and Bianca Schmidt were members of the senior women’s team which won the UEFA Women’s EURO 2009 in Finland. What impressed you most about the latest in a long line of successes for German women’s football?
Beckenbauer: It’s remarkable that our women’s national team has been able to maintain such high standards for so long a period of time. Silvia Neid has put together the perfect blend of youth and experience. The younger players definitely made a vital contribution.
Jones: Our team showed some great collective performances and a great deal of passion. The success of our national team is the result of hard work. It doesn’t happen everyday that you beat England 6:2 in the final.
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Question: Who will win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2010?
Beckenbauer: Previously everyone would have said Germany, Sweden or USA, but there are so many teams knocking at the door these days. The North Koreans for example won the U-17 World Cup and were runners-up at the U-20 World Cup and progress like that is certainly not down to luck. It would send out a strong signal for 2011 if the Germany team won the U-20 title, but the competition certainly cannot be underestimated.
Jones: Germany will have home advantage, but at the recent U-19 tournament in Belarus we saw that countries like France and Switzerland can compete with the best and beat any team on their day. The likes of Brazil, Japan and Nigeria have also got what it takes to be in the shakedown for the World Cup title.
