Japan Women's World Cup team thanks world for post-earthquake support

The banner headline that endears them to all in Germany reads: "To our friends around the world — Thank you for your support." The players form a solemn postgame procession and carry it around the stadium after each win.

It refers to the global outpouring of aid in the wake of the March 11 disaster that left nearly 23,000 dead or missing and caused a crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

The memory of the tragedy has been a constant theme running through the team at the three-week tournament.

"The players know in their heart what has been going on," Sasaki said. "The players were deeply impressed and the feeling connected to their heart." In Japan, the team's rise at the World Cup and its stunning upset of Germany has brought relief from the daily pain. The country has been battered by dozens of strong aftershocks since the strongest quake in Japanese history.


http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Japan-carries-memories-of-tsunami-to-World-Cup-1462220.php#ixzz1S2glECpS