The FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy made another stop on its worldwide tour at Ottawa’s Chateau Laurier hotel March 11.
In attendance were Canada women’s head coach Carolina Morace, Canadian Soccer Association president Dominique Maestracci and Steffi Jones, the president of the 2011 World Cup organizing committee for Germany.
“FIFA has given us a little pressure saying this is going to be the biggest tournament which I think is going to be tough,” Jones said discussing the preparations in Germany.
Jones confirmed that over half a million tickets had been sold in advance of the tournament, marking the high expectations swirling around the tournament.
Despite a smattering of questions regarding Morace’s view of Canada’s Cyprus Cup win, attention quickly turned back to the World Cup being held in Germany this summer.
“I think we’ll be in the top eight [ranking] by the end of the tournament,” Maestracci said responding to a question about Canada’s hopes for the tournament.
Morace was more confident in her response. After Jones, a former German national player, talked about the possibility of Canada raising the cup in victory, Morace smiled, saying “true,” earning her a long ovation from the gathered press.
“I think Germany is one of the best organizing countries in soccer,” Morace also said, praising the sold-out venues Jones mentioned in her own speech.
Federal sports minister Gary Lunn, alongside Mayor Jim Watson and Laureen Harper, also made brief appearances.
“It was just over a year ago when we saw the power of sport and how it can inspire a nation,” Lunn said, alluding to the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver last year.
x“We couldn’t happier and more excited [about this summer]”.
Ottawa is the the trophy’s 10th stop as the World Cup tours around the globe. The trophy has five more stops at countries that qualified for the tournament before returning to Germany.
Canada will be hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.