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The world's media is embracing the Women's World Cup like never before, even if the British media continue to embrace anything but. All the games will be televised and, with 74 countries broadcasting the matches, up to 1 billion people will be able to watch women get just as upset as men over what is, apparently, only a game.


"Accreditations for the tournament are up to 1,975..." notes AP, a figure that does indeed sound huge until you catch the caveat "...a number that far exceeds any other women's soccer event." Of those accreditations, 900 went to reporters, 400 to photographers and 600 to representatives from radio and television stations. Thanks guys.


The USA is not known for its deep interest in soccer as men know and love it but the women's game is going strong. Promisingly, 500 of the 900 reporters threatening to turn up come from outside the United States, but there is no indication as to which, if any, season-weary hacks from Blighty have been packed off to the USA. We do learn, however, that China and Nigeria make up the largest overseas contingents, which means either that these two countries recognise the genuine importance of this event and are setting the standard for equality in sports participation and coverage, or simply that their sports journalists recognise a decent freebie when they see one.


After the US team won the 1991 Women's World Cup in China, only one reporter met the players at the airport when they returned. The 1999 champions can expect an avalanche of Chinese journos and statistics if nothing else.



• The Black Queens tied the Waltzing Mathilda's, the Super Falcons beat North Korea and the Samba Queens waltzed over Mexico in "the group of death." This might sound like a cross between a bondage fantasy and obscure results from the gay games, but all these titles are nicknames in the World Cup.


The Nigerian team settled on the Super Falcons in a bid to upstage its men's team, the Super Eagles, while the Black Queens are from Ghana and the Waltzing Mathilda's are 'Strine.


Brazil has no official nickname, but the ever-resourceful Brazilian media call the team the Samba Queens, after the samba soccer that Brazil still claim to practice.


Group B is the obligatory "group of death", on this occasion featuring Germany, Brazil, Italy and Mexico, a truly frightening combination that has prompted a series of dodgy and unrepeatable nicknames among the 'hordes' of media present.


• And finally, in a cynical attempt afford the world cup the same statistical kudos as the men's event, jounalists have identified the youngest player in the Women's World Cup. Super Falcon midfielder Ifeanyichukwu Chiejene has just turned 16, which probably makes her a Super Chick.


Oh, and the oldest is Norway's 34-year-old team captain Linda Medalen.