Here we are. The women’s soccer tournament of the Tokyo 2021 Olympics will be the first event to feature dance as it begins to get serious on July 21.. Matches will follow each other until 6 August and 12 teams will compete for medals or Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, United States, Zambia, Australia, China and Chile.

12 selections that don’t see the appearance of Germany’s outgoing Olympic champion, have not qualified for the Games due to their placement at the 2019 World Cup in France and the novelty of the British selection, which includes players from all United Kingdom federations, something that had not happened before.

The agreement between the above federations led to the appearance of a British selection based on England’s results at the previous World Championships. A discovery which, unfortunately, excluded Milena Bertolini’s Italy, close to qualification for this competition (elimination against Holland in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup).

Who will be the favourite? Looking at the roster of participants, the reference to Japan and the United States comes almost spontaneous: on the one hand home selections with high-tech players who can deliver something extra within friendly walls; On the other hand world champions who can boast of excellent skill on the green rectangle.

But beware of Holland and Great Britain. Orange, the vice-champions of the world, are a growing team and after winning continental titles, they have established themselves on the world stage. Greatly curious about the British, given that the selection will bring together players from the United Kingdom, taking advantage of an English hard core that certainly has no shortage of strong players.

Photo: LaPresse