DW-TV:
How much would you say that fans really contribute to a team's performance?
Silke Sinning:
There are two ways of supporting your team: on the one hand when they're moving forward - if the team is already ahead, for instance, and you want to inspire them to more chances on goal. And then, when they're behind, when the team needs extra mental support. By the way, in the women's game fan culture is very attuned to families and kids and there's an intense connection to the team. The players are also very close to their fans. As you saw in the report, they flirt with the fans.
How have training methods changed since you were a player?
The methods have been refined. There's much more intensive, individualized training. In the past, there was a focus on coaching the players' technique to give them a feeling for the ball. But now they've got much more of a feeling for that from early on. So you can do more substantial work on individual abilities and talents.
What would you say is more important for a team's success - physical fitness or technique?
Without technique, there's nothing. But when you play in a tournament with several games in a row, you need a good constitution, you have to be fit. Of course you can also achieve strength through technique. You can do a lot of exercises, stamina exercises WITH the ball.
There's talk of expanding the women's competition to include even more teams. But are there enough world-class teams out there?
Not now. We're seeing the best 16 teams here, with two or three more approaching that level. But playing with 24 teams in four years' time as FIFA wants will be difficult. But the support will help women's football develop globally. Overall, FIFA is doing a very good job there.
Who is your favorite to win the 2011 competition?
Germany, of course. They'll be in the final. And I hope they'll be the ones holding up the trophy. They're certain to get very far and they'll probably also carry the final. But it's not going to be easy.
Women's soccer has really struggled to gain acceptance in Germany. But would you say it's become more popular since you were a player?
It's definitely become more popular. When I started, 30 years ago, we had to set up teams so we could play each other. These days the girls come along to the clubs on their own and ask to be given a place, to be given balls, to be assigned a coach. It's arrived in society here. Every father is proud to see his daughter playing football. It's great!
(Interview: Heather DeLisle)