ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the emergence of women's soccer in Europe and discusses explanations for the gender hierarchy in this game. It provides examples primarily using the situation in the countries with the largest number of players, Germany, and the largest percentage of female soccer players, Denmark. First attempts of women to play soccer can be traced to England and Scotland in the 1880s. Women's soccer experienced a considerable upswing during World War I, when matches of female teams drew large crowds, for instance in the UK. Despite numerous positive developments, the lack of resources in women's soccer is a decisive barrier impeding the professionalization of the players, and, in general, the advancement of the game. Soccer has developed from a men's game to a sport which increasingly attracts girls and women. In many European countries women's soccer is thriving, in particular with regard to the quality of the game and the numbers of players.
