Top 100 momentsNo. 98
Nadeshiko in Germany
Japan win the Women’s World Cup on penalties after a tsunami year. A technical, stubborn team beats the United States and takes the trophy home.
2011 is a year of disaster in Japan. In Germany the women’s team, Nadeshiko, go through a World Cup with patience and a midfield that will not panic. The final against the United States is 2-2. Penalties. Japan win. Homare Sawa is the player of the tournament.
The U.S. had owned the event’s mythology. A different country lifting the cup, after extra time, is how a sport becomes more than one flag’s property.
They carry the trophy into a home that still has aftershocks. Sport cannot fix a coastline. It can send a team back with something to hold up.