[Berlin_Freeper]

Global stars will emerge over the course of the 52 games as a bigger audience than ever tune in to watch more countries than ever compete for the prestigious prize. The capacity of the stadiums in France means that the record attendance of 90,185 set on that sweltering Californian afternoon in the summer of 1999 -- still a record for a female sporting event -- will not be eclipsed, but the television figures for France 2019 are expected to put the 2015 Women's World Cup, which attracted a global TV audience of 750 million, in the shade.

[sphinx]

There is a good chance that viewership will set a new record, but a lot depends on big market teams going deep into the knockout rounds. On paper, the real championship game may well come in the likely U.S.-France match in the semifinals. If the U.S. goes out early, viewship will take a hit. And France could do it. They’ve beaten the U.S. in two of the last three meetings. Neither game was a good indicator because Jill Ellis was experimenting with new players, positions and lineups, and the U.S. didn’t have it’s best team on the field. But France is flat out good and will be playing at home. I see that game as a coin flip. I just hope it doesn’t come down to penalties.

[dfwgator]

Actually, I am more interested in the Cricket World Cup that’s going on now, I’ve totally gotten into the sport since I visited Australia and New Zealand last year, and saw a match for the first time on TV.