[Sport] Women's football in Europe awakens as clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona get on board

[Ntgthegamer]

Women's football is at a juncture. The traditional powerhouse leagues in the US and Australia are warily watching as the sleeping giants of women's football in Europe finally awaken. Enormous growth in Europe is now threatening to shift the global landscape and change the way leagues and confederations around the world function. This was highlighted at the Women's World Cup earlier this year when Italy, which had never previously qualified for the tournament, beat Australia in their opening game. Superstar striker Sam Kerr's expected move to Europe, which will likely be confirmed after the grand final of the National Women's Soccer League in the United States, is the latest in a series of the world's best players making the move, demonstrating the strength of the women's game in Europe. Kerr won't be alone, with nine Australians currently playing for sides in Europe, including Matildas record games holder Lisa De Vanna. The investment in the game from some of the biggest clubs in the world has only increased the lure of playing in European competitions. "Traditionally leagues in America have been seen as the strongest leagues and the most competitive," said Jo Currie, who reports on women's football for the BBC. "Take a look at the Women's Super League (WSL) in the UK. That launched in 2010, it had eight teams, it was mostly amateur, or at best semi-pro players. "They were paid a very small amount of money, training and playing at mostly reasonably poor facilities, even though this was the top division, and in front of very small crowds. "But if you look at the league now, it's got 12 teams of fully professional players."