Tonight, the Commonwealth Bank ParaMatildas, Australia’s national football team for women and girls with Cerebral Palsy, symptoms of stroke and Acquired Brain Injury, will face the United States for the inaugural IFCPF Women’s World Cup title.

Qualifying after a second placed finish after the group matches, it will be the first time a senior Australian football team will feature in a World Cup final.  For head coach Kelly Stirton it has been a whirlwind ten days in Spain.

“It’s been one of the best experiences of my life, my coaching life,” Stirton said. “Today is probably the day where it’s sort of sinking in a little bit, especially towards the final.  I couldn’t be prouder. It’s probably one of the proudest moments in my life.”

Australia co-captain Georgia Beikoff has been one of the standout players in the tournament.  The 29-year-old currently leads the Golden Boot standings having netted 13 goals in four matches, including the CommBank ParaMatildas first ever international goal.

“it’s been really quite surreal,” Beikoff said. “Just being here and having five nations and competing against each other, and even just playing against other women who have CP [cerebral palsy], who exactly like me, is a dream come true.”

“I’m really proud of the girls that they’ve just stepped up. I think this has been a really big learning curve for us and this is just the beginning.  I’m really excited for the future.”

MATCH DETAILS

United States v CommBank ParaMatildas
IFCPF Women’s World Cup Final
Date: Tuesday, 17 May 2022
Time: 8:45pm AEST
Venue: Futbol Salou Sports Center
Broadcast:  https://bit.ly/USvUSAGoldMedalMatch