England, Spain eye WC summit

Women's football will crown a first-time champion today when the ninth Women's World Cup concludes with England and Spain, both proud footballing nations, facing off in an intriguing final in Sydney.

The highly-successful tournament in Australia and New Zealand was destined to have a fresh winner from the quarter-finals when Japan joined the United States, Germany and Norway in making a premature exit.

The tournament has showcased the development of the women's game but the finalists do present a contrast in styles -- England pragmatic, ruthless, resilient and Spain displaying all the technical skill the country's football is famed for.

The finalists have had their blips -- Spain thrashed 4-0 by Japan in their last group game and England taken to penalties by Nigeria in the last 16 -- but both have grown into the tournament and were convincing semi-final winners.

Expectations of a tight final in front of another sellout crowd of 75,000 at Stadium Australia might not be too wide of the mark if England's 2-1 win in the European Championship quarter-final between the sides last year is any guide.

"We are ready," England coach Sarina Wiegman said yesterday. "Technically, tactically. We have watched Spain, of course, analysed them with our analysis team, and I think we're ready."

On the other camp, Spain coach Jorge Vilda said, "What we want to do tomorrow [today] is to be the best in the world."

For all the excitement that accompanied Australia's run to the semi-finals and Japan's brilliance in the early rounds, the consensus is that England and Spain are worthy first-time finalists.