Women sport news

Varying wind speeds challenged the 470 sailors today, ranging from 13-20 knots. Whilst some teams thrived in the conditions others felt they were not quite quick enough to respond to the change in pace. photo Thom Touw

On 13 July 2011, FIFA will be using the platform of the FIFA Women's World CupTM in Germany to once again make a clear statement to millions of people around the world about football's united stance against any kind of discrimination. Report - fifa.com

Conditions on Course Area D for the first races of the day were tricky with the wind shifting and with 7 knots, before decreasing to 4 knots as the fleets finished race 5. photo Thom Touw

Singapore's Feng Tianwei maintained her winning ways of recent weeks to clinch the Women's Singles title at the Japan Open; in so doing she secured her second consecutive ITTF Pro Tour title and continued her rich vein of form. Photo By: Tetsu Yamashita

The two quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011™ played on Sunday proved to be a real test of nerves for players and fans alike.

The British Gas GBR Swimming Team won another four medals to finish the European Junior Championships in Belgrade at the top of the medal table for the first time in three years.

As witnessed many times at Pozo during the last decade, the incredible Moreno twins faced each other once again in the grand final; a tribute to their amazing skills here on their home waters. photo PWA

The Australian Diamonds have come from behind to claim the 2011 World Netball Championships title in a thrilling finish, with a goal in the last second of extra time to secure the 58-57 victory over New Zealand at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday night. photo Netball Australia FB

Ukraine was the outright winner of the IPC Swimming European Championships, having dominated the event from the very start.

In a performance that would rival the sheer beauty of this inspiring valley as well as the majesty of the surrounding Swiss Alps, Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca of Brazil won the women’s gold medal. photo FIVB

Looking to snap their two-game losing streak, the Chicago Bandits’ bats came alive in the last game of this four-game series against the Akron Racers. Led by outstanding pitcher Monica Abbott, the Bandits defeated the Racers 12-3 and gained some momentum as they head on the road. photo Dina Kwit

A smooth performance from Spain's Tara Pacheco/Berta Betanzos pushes them into the overall lead, with a win in race 3 and fifth in race 4, and gives them a 12 point margin over second placed Fernanda Oliviera/Ana Luisa Barbachan (BRA). photo Thom Touw

Day 5: Radical wave riding, extreme jumps and colossal crashes ensured the emotions were running high as nuclear winds powered the sailors through the double elimination.

Japan recorded a famous 1-0 extra-time win to eliminate reigning champions and host nation Germany from the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and reach the semi-finals for the first time.

France became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of Germany 2011, defeating England 4-3 on penalties in Leverkusen.

Possession was key in the tense and thrilling Grand Final of the Mission Foods World Netball Championships today between the Australian Netball Diamonds and the New Zealand Silver Ferns, which was won in the last second of extra time by the Diamonds 58 - 57. England have claimed the Bronze Medal back from Jamaica for the first time since 1999. WNC2011.com

Saturday was the night for the British team on the seventh day of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Championships.

Thirty knot winds and a building swell were forecast for the fourth day of competition, the judges were prepared and raring to go at 9am.

This is clearly the battle of the greens as both South Africa and Northern Ireland seek to recover from their previous games, demonstrating their hunger for winning.

Veterans Faye White and Kelly Smith insisted today that hopes of winning the FIFA Women's World Cup were no longer just a dream for England. FIFA

England cricketer Claire Taylor today announced her retirement from international cricket. A stalwart of women’s cricket, Taylor represented England in 15 Tests, 126 ODIs and 27 T20s in her 14 years with the England team.

Day three: The women’s fleet was un-leashed onto Pozo’s rough waters, seeing them fight through the first three heats of the single elimination.

England women retained their World number one status in One Day International cricket today as they beat Australia by 34 runs in the final of the NatWest Women’s Quadrangular Series at Wormsley.

The world's finest para-table tennis players will gather in Sheffield for one of the most important events on the sporting calendar in the run-up to London 2012.

The Australian Diamonds have booked a spot in the 2011 World Netball Championships Semi-Finals with a hard fought 58-44 victory over Malawi Queens at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday night.

Getting down to serious business as the days dwindle down to a precious few, four productive women’s teams emerged from fury of two elimination rounds on the Swiss sand. photo FIVB