Women's World Cup | "This world cup will wake up a lot of passion in football:" New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova after the historical win

Jitka Klimkova believes that after their win against Norway in the Women's World Cup, more people will follow football in New Zealand

Koushik Biswas

Jul 21, 2023, 12:05 AM

Women's World Cup | "This world cup will wake up a lot of passion in football:" New Zealand coach Jitka Klimkova after the historical win

New Zealand created history by defeating Norway in the opening game of the FIFA Women's World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. They became the first-ever New Zealand team (men or women) to win any FIFA World Cup finals match. The Football Ferns broke their 15-game win drought against a strong Norweigan team. Jitka Klimkova, the coach of the New Zealand Women's football team believe that this win will bring more passion to New Zealand football.

Women's World Cup |
Jitka Klimkova, coach of the New Zealand Women's Football team in the post-match press conference.

"I still have goosebumps. I still have emotions in me. We waited for this moment for such a long, long time," football ferns coach Jitka Kilmkova could not get over the emotions after the win. "Having this opportunity at home, beating Norway, stronger position, hearing our fans being behind us, that is just an unforgettable moment for me as a coach and of course for all the players that been involved," Klimkova added in the post-match press conference.

NZ vs NOR: The moment Hannah Wilkinson created history for New Zealand | Sportz Point
The moment Hannah Wilkinson created history for New Zealand. Image: FIFA Media

The Football Ferns looked solid from the right go in front of a record crowd at Eden Park. The first half was good for them but without any goals. However, the second half changed everything for them, maybe for the future of New Zealand football as well. Jitka Kilmkova believes the team was calm before the game and this is the most focused she saw her team in recent times and she was confident that her team can do some special things in the tournament.

"We're very calm. I think that was one of the most focused moments that I (have) seen this team being. I started believing after our game against Vietnam, (and) after our game against Italy. We have done so much and improved so much as a team, we started really believing that we can do it."

"Seeing us playing from the first minute, fighting for the country, fighting for us, the belief was even stronger. I think the performance we show the world was really solid and the result was well deserved."

It was Hannah Wilkinson's goal in the 48th minute that saw more than forty thousand Football Ferns fans cheer the loudest of their lives. A brilliant run from Indiah-Paige Riley and a perfect finish from Hannah was good enough for them to write history. Coach Jitka Kilmkova now has faith that this FIFA Women's World Cup can bring more New Zealanders to follow the beautiful game in a country made about Rugby.

"I really believe this world cup will wake up a lot of passion in football and one of our goals and priorities as a team, we want to keep inspiring with performances like tonight. This is just the beginning," Jitka Kilmkova told the media.

"We will have this crowd behind us every time we step on the field. That's what we need. The fans for us so important. So, I want to thank them for coming and supporting us and I hope they will keep coming. The love for football will in this country."

"I will never forget this moment when I saw those experienced players just..."finally it came", and what a great timing to do it at home," Jitka Klimkova expressed.

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20 Iconic Sports Photos of 2023: From Messi, Kohli to Sheetal Devi; 2023 Revisited

Let's take a look at the 20 iconic sports photos of 2023.

Koushik Biswas

Dec 31, 2023, 1:56 AM

20 iconic sports photos of 2023.

2023 saw many iconic sporting moments throughout the 12 months. From Cristiano Ronaldo's welcome in Saudi, to Spain winning the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, or, from Virat Kohli scoring his 50th ODI ton to Sheetal Devi shooting an archery with her legs, we have seen it all. Here's 20 iconic sports photos from the year 2023.

#20 | Healy, the photographer

Australian Test Cricket Team captain Alyssa Healy taking a picture of victourious Indian Test team in Mumbai.  Image | Emmanual Yogini/ Hindu
Australian Test Cricket Team captain Alyssa Healy taking a picture of victourious Indian Test team in Mumbai. Image | Emmanual Yogini/ Hindu

#19 | Spain win the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023

Spain Women's Football team celebrating after the final whistle in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 final.  Image | FIFA
Spain Women's Football team celebrating after the final whistle in FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 final. Image | FIFA

#18 |Australia loves football

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Australia players huddle after the team's 1-3 defeat following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.  Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Australia players huddle after the team's 1-3 defeat following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Semi Final match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia on August 16, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

#17 | Messi magic in Miami

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami is hoisted in the air by his teammates after winning the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.   Image | Deadline
Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami is hoisted in the air by his teammates after winning the Leagues Cup 2023 final match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on August 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Image | Deadline

#16 |Lauren Hemp breaks Colombian hearts

Lauren Hemp of England after scoring a stunning goal against Colombia during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between England and Colombia at Stadium Australia on August 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.  Image | RNZ
Lauren Hemp of England after scoring a stunning goal against Colombia during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between England and Colombia at Stadium Australia on August 12, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Image | RNZ

#15 | Selfie of the year in ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023

The captain's pose for a selfie during the Captain's Photocall prior to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023 at Wild is Life Sanctuary on June 16, 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe.   Image | ICC
The captain's pose for a selfie during the Captain's Photocall prior to the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Zimbabwe 2023 at Wild is Life Sanctuary on June 16, 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Image | ICC

Also Read: Most International Runs in 2023

#14 | Danielle Collins' iconic serve

Danielle Collins of the United States serves against Caroline Garcia of France during their quarterfinal match of the Cymbiotika San Diego Open at Barnes Tennis Center on September 14, 2023 in San Diego, California.  Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images.
Danielle Collins of the United States serves against Caroline Garcia of France during their quarterfinal match of the Cymbiotika San Diego Open at Barnes Tennis Center on September 14, 2023 in San Diego, California. Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images.

#13 | Postigo can do it on one foot

Juan Postigo of Spain plays his tee shot on the 5th hole prior to The G4D Open on the Duchess course at Woburn Golf Club on May 08, 2023 in Woburn, England.  Image | Nxtbook Media
Juan Postigo of Spain plays his tee shot on the 5th hole prior to The G4D Open on the Duchess course at Woburn Golf Club on May 08, 2023 in Woburn, England. Image | Nxtbook Media

#12 | Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning Championship point in the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England.   Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning Championship point in the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

#11 | Cummins silences the Indian crowd

Indian fans had hands on their heads as Australian captain and pacer Pat Cummins silenced them after getting Virat Kohli out in the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 Final in Ahmedabad.  Associated Press
Indian fans had hands on their heads as Australian captain and pacer Pat Cummins silenced them after getting Virat Kohli out in the ICC Men's World Cup 2023 Final in Ahmedabad. Associated Press

#10 | Chloe Kelly's bicycle kick

Chloe Kelly of England performs a bicycle kick during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia.   Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Chloe Kelly of England performs a bicycle kick during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group D match between England and Denmark at Sydney Football Stadium on July 28, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

#9 | Kohli gets past the GOD

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli celebrates his 50th ODI hundred against New Zealand in the 1st Semi-final of ICC Men's World Cup 2023 in Mumbai.  ICC/Getty Images
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli celebrates his 50th ODI hundred against New Zealand in the 1st Semi-final of ICC Men's World Cup 2023 in Mumbai. ICC/Getty Images

#8 | Saudi welcomes Cristiano Ronaldo

New player of Al-Nassr Portuguese superstar, Ronaldo attends an introductory ceremony at Mrsool Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 03, 2023.   Photo by AL Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
New player of Al-Nassr Portuguese superstar, Ronaldo attends an introductory ceremony at Mrsool Park Stadium, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on January 03, 2023. Photo by AL Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

#7 | Wrestlers Protest

Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia during the
Wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia during the "Wrestlers Protest" in Delhi. Image | PTI

Also Read: Bajrang Punia requests sports ministry to resume wrestling activity ahead Of Paris Olympics

#6 | Bou Samnang's inspiring last-place finish

Bou Samnang, of Cambodia, was lauded as an inspiration after completing her race despite a last-place finish during a torrential rainstorm at the Southeast Asian Games.  Image | VN Express
Bou Samnang, of Cambodia, was lauded as an inspiration after completing her race despite a last-place finish during a torrential rainstorm at the Southeast Asian Games. Image | VN Express

#5 | Mad-Max-Well's double ton

Glenn Maxwell after taking Australia home in a game against Afghanistan in ICC World Cup 2023 in Mumbai. Maxwell scored a double hundred in that game.  Image | Getty Images
Glenn Maxwell after taking Australia home in a game against Afghanistan in ICC World Cup 2023 in Mumbai. Maxwell scored a double hundred in that game. Image | Getty Images

#4 | Neeraj's gold and praise for Arshad

Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, of India, and silver medalist Arshad Nadeem, of Pakistan, right, pose after finishing the Men's javelin throw final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023.   Image | AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, of India, and silver medalist Arshad Nadeem, of Pakistan, right, pose after finishing the Men's javelin throw final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023. Image | AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

#3 | Australia crowned World Champions for sixth time

Australian Men's Cricket Team celebrating their 6th ICC World Cup after beating India in the final in Ahmedabad.  Image | ICC
Australian Men's Cricket Team celebrating their 6th ICC World Cup after beating India in the final in Ahmedabad. Image | ICC

#2 | Armless archer Sheetal Devi creates history

16-year old Sheetal Devi, who is only armless archer, won two gold medals at the Asian Paraolympics in China.  Image | Olympics.com
16-year old Sheetal Devi, who is only armless archer, won two gold medals at the Asian Paraolympics in China. Image | Olympics.com

#1 | Messi infinity

Lionel Messi striking a pose with his 8th Ballon d'Or Award.  Image | Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi striking a pose with his 8th Ballon d'Or Award. Image | Ballon d'Or

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Spanish Women's Football Team Players rejected squad call-ups

Spanish Women's Football Team continue to reject national team call-ups as they want more changes at the Spanish football federation.

Abishek Goswami

Sep 15, 2023, 12:45 PM

New coach Montse Tome was about to announce her squad on Friday for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland on September 22 and 26. Spanish Women's Football team continue to reject national team call-ups as they want more changes at the Spanish football federation following the scandal over Luis Rubiales' kiss."

Read Also: Asian Games 2023 Indian football team squad: Sports Ministry announces a new squad with Gurpreet, Sandesh and Sunil

Spanish football is in the mud since Rubiales forcibly kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips in front of the world's media after Spain defeated England in the Women's World Cup final on August 20 in Australia. 81 Spanish players, including the 23 world champions wrote a letter last month stating they would not play for the national team without significant changes at the head of the federation.

Since then Rubiales has resigned and the football federation sacked their controversial coach Jorge Vilda. Spanish media said the players would release a statement outlining the changes that they still expect to see before they return to the pitch.

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"The Kiss Was Consented," Luis Rubiales On FIFA World Cup Final Controversy

Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales continued to insist on his kiss on Hermoso after the Women's World Cup final.

Abishek Goswami

Sep 13, 2023, 4:57 AM

"The Kiss Was Consented," Luis Rubiales On FIFA World Cup Final Controversy

World Cup-winning Spain midfielder Hermoso said the kiss was not consensual and a Spanish judge has summoned Rubiales to appear in court on Friday in a sexual assault investigation. Luis Rubiales stood down from his post on Sunday, three weeks after the incident during the final medal ceremony following Spain's World Cup triumph. He continued to insist on his kiss on Hermoso's lips to be consensual.

Read Also: UEFA Euro Qualifiers 2024: Italy defeated Ukraine to seal the second spot on the table behind high-flying England

"What we had is a spontaneous act, a mutual act, an act that both consented to, which was driven by the emotion of the moment, the happiness, so I maintain that that is the truth of what happened," Luis Rubiales told TalkTV show Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The 46-year-old described the kiss as "non-sexual". He also compared his behaviour to how he would act with his daughters. "My intentions were noble, enthusiastic, 100 percent non-sexual, 100 percent, I repeat, 100 percent," said Rubiales.

"You can imagine if you win the lottery or hopefully soon one day the war in Ukraine finishes, I mean celebrations will go on up and down the globe," he added. "People don't ask permission, it's just a happy, happy time and people celebrate. Of course, I have said it from the beginning, I made a mistake, and I apologized in a sincere manner," he further added.

Over 80 women's players went on strike from the national team. Spanish Football Federation sacked the controversial coach Jorge Vilda. The former chief stepped down on Sunday to help Spain's 2030 men's World Cup bid, as well as his family who came under pressure after his actions.

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Spanish Prosecutors Accuse Luis Rubiales of Sexual Assault

Jenni Hermoso filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Luis Rubiales of sexual assault.

Abishek Goswami

Sep 8, 2023, 1:46 PM

Spanish Prosecutors Accuse Luis Rubiales of Sexual Assault

Spanish public prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against football chief Luis Rubiales for sexual assault after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent. Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Rubiales faced backlash after a video went viral on the internet. Rubiales kissed Hermoso during the medal ceremony of Spain's Women's World Cup triumph in Sydney on August 20.

Read Also: India Announces 23-member Squad for the SAFF U-19 Championship

"The prosecutors request that Luis Rubiales be questioned as an accused and Jenni Hermoso as a victim," the prosecutors' office said in a statement. It happened after Hermoso filed a complaint at the National Court on Tuesday, formally accusing Rubiales of sexual assault.

If the judge accepts the request, a magistrate will be assigned to head an investigation. It will end either with a recommendation for the case to go to trial or dismissed. Under Spanish law, sexual assault includes a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different penalties. The punishment for a non-consensual kiss can range from a fine to four years in prison.

Hermoso's complaint against Luis Rubiales:

Hermoso said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling "vulnerable and like the victim of an assault". On social media, she described it as "an impulsive, macho act, out of place. There were no type of consent on her part.

She also accused Rubiales of pressuring her to speak in his defense immediately after it went viral on social media. World football governing body FIFA provisionally suspended Rubiales for 90 days after he refused to resign from his post. 81 players went on strike from the women's side in protest after Rubiales' "false feminism" speech.

In a statement last week Rubiales reiterated that the kiss was "a mutual and consensual act" with "overflowing jubilation on both sides". The RFEF apologized for the "totally unacceptable behaviour" of Rubiales on Tuesday and fired Jorge Vilda.

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Spanish Federation fires Women's National Team Coach Jorge Vilda after the Luis Rubiales controversy

The Spanish Women's team coach Jorge Vilda got fired just three weeks after the World Cup victory amid the Luis Rubiales controversy.

Abishek Goswami

Sep 5, 2023, 4:13 PM

Spanish Federation fires Women's National Team Coach Jorge Vilda after the Luis Rubiales controversy

The Spanish soccer federation fired Women's National Team coach Jorge Vilda, just three weeks after his team won the Women's World Cup title and the controversy involving suspended federation president Luis Rubiales.

Read Also: "I hope they can bring some joy to my birthday against Iraq," Coach Igor Stimac shared a beautiful message to the Blue Tigers and the Indian fans on meeting them after two months

Jorge Vilda was among those who applauded Luis Rubiales when he refused to resign despite facing widespread criticism for kissing player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the title celebrations in Sydney last month.

Rubiales, who also grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture after the final, has been provisionally suspended by FIFA and is facing a Spanish government case against him for the conduct that prompted a storm of criticism and led to widespread calls for his resignation.

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