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Clare Balding: England women will win football World Cup before men Clare Balding: England women will win football World Cup before men
(5 months later)
Listen to Clare Balding speaking about the BT Sport launchListen to Clare Balding speaking about the BT Sport launch
The England women's football team will bring home a World Cup before the men's squad reclaim the title, sports broadcaster Clare Balding has predicted.The England women's football team will bring home a World Cup before the men's squad reclaim the title, sports broadcaster Clare Balding has predicted.
Speaking at the launch of BT Sport, the telecoms company's lavishly funded challenge to Sky's iron grip on Premiership football viewing, Balding said prospects for the women's game were improving.Speaking at the launch of BT Sport, the telecoms company's lavishly funded challenge to Sky's iron grip on Premiership football viewing, Balding said prospects for the women's game were improving.
BT has secured exclusive rights to the Football Association's Women's Super League, and as part of the deal will sponsor the league, the England national team and the FA Women's Cup.BT has secured exclusive rights to the Football Association's Women's Super League, and as part of the deal will sponsor the league, the England national team and the FA Women's Cup.
Launched in 2011, the women's league will expand next year to include 18 clubs and, for the first time, two divisions.Launched in 2011, the women's league will expand next year to include 18 clubs and, for the first time, two divisions.
"Personally I think England will win the World Cup in women's football before the men do again," said Balding. "Look at the women's Super League deal. That will really make a difference in a sport that has so much potential but is still semi-professional.""Personally I think England will win the World Cup in women's football before the men do again," said Balding. "Look at the women's Super League deal. That will really make a difference in a sport that has so much potential but is still semi-professional."
The nation's one and only World Cup win came in 1966, when England hosted the eighth staging of the event and beat West Germany 4-2.The nation's one and only World Cup win came in 1966, when England hosted the eighth staging of the event and beat West Germany 4-2.
The women's team is currently ranked joint seventh in the world by Fifa, and has qualified for the tournament three times, most recently in 2011, but failed to go beyond the quarter-final on each occasion.The women's team is currently ranked joint seventh in the world by Fifa, and has qualified for the tournament three times, most recently in 2011, but failed to go beyond the quarter-final on each occasion.
The squad's captain, Lincoln defender Casey Stoney, earns in a year what her men's counterpart, Steven Gerrard, takes home in a day, and supplements her football income with part-time jobs.The squad's captain, Lincoln defender Casey Stoney, earns in a year what her men's counterpart, Steven Gerrard, takes home in a day, and supplements her football income with part-time jobs.
Balding, who said she subscribes to Sky in two properties, suggested BT's offer of free channels to those customers who take its broadband service would make viewers question how much they spend on football. BT is promising a more inclusive approach to sport, following the BBC's Olympic coverage in giving more air time to women and disabled athletes.Balding, who said she subscribes to Sky in two properties, suggested BT's offer of free channels to those customers who take its broadband service would make viewers question how much they spend on football. BT is promising a more inclusive approach to sport, following the BBC's Olympic coverage in giving more air time to women and disabled athletes.
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