Europe dominates FIFA short list

There are ten Europeans on the 20-strong short list for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year - but not 2003, 2004 and 2005 winner Birgit Prinz.

Frankfurt duo
Testament to the growing strength in depth of women's international football, Prinz has missed out in the list selected by FIFA's panel of experts. However, up for the award are the striker's Germany and 1. FFC Frankfurt colleagues Silke Rottenberg and Renate Lingor after helping their country reach the FIFA Women's World Cup and their club win the UEFA Women's Cup. France were beaten by England to a place in that tournament, but Les Bleues do provide two individuals for the short list; American-based Laura Georges and FCF Juvisy midfielder Sandrine Soubeyrand. Sweden also have a pair of nominees, Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC forward Lotta Schelin and Umeå IK captain Malin Moström, although Hanna Ljungberg misses out.

Smith in the running
England and Arsenal LFC playmaker Kelly Smith, recently hailed by Netherlands coach Vera Pauw as the best in the world, is among the 20 as are two forwards fresh from impressive UEFA Women's Cup results, Kolbotn IL and Norway player Ingvild Stensland and Brøndby IF's Danish international striker Cathrine Paaske Sørensen. Finland and Djurgården/Älvsjö forward Laura Kalmari is also in the running, along with her former club-mate at Umeå, Brazilian Marta. The award is voted for by national-team coaches and captains and the three nominees will be revealed a few weeks before the winner is announced on 18 December in Zurich.