NYON: Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer is the inaugural winner of the UEFA Best Women’s Player in Europe Award for 2012-13.

Angerer, who recently left 1. FFC Frankfurt for Australia’s Brisbane Roar, topped the vote from a jury composed of 18 journalists, each committed to supporting women’s football, and selected by the European Sports Media Group (ESM).

The 34-year-old received a total of 10 votes ahead of Lena Gossling, Champions League-winning Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder and Sweden’s Lyon striker Lotta Schelin with two.

Captaining Germany to victory at UEFA Women’s Euro 2013 in Sweden in July, her fifth triumph in the competition, Angerer saved two penalties in the 1-0 final defeat of Norway in Solna.

She was named player of the tournament by the UEFA Technical Team, heading the all-star squad in which team-mate Gossling and adidas Golden Boot winner Schelin also featured.

Vote of thanks

Angerer said: “I am very surprised. I didn’t think that I would win it but I am delighted that I have. I would like to thank those who elected me and would especially like to thank [Germany coach] Silvia Neid who maintained confidence in me when I hard time at Frankfurt after my injury – I’m very grateful for that.”

She received her award from UEFA president Michael Platini and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger in Nyon.

Players were judged on their performances during the 2012/13 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.

The initial shortlist of the top 10 players had been provided by the coaches of the teams taking part in UEFA Women’s Euro 2013, as well as the coaches of the clubs which participated in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Each coach provided a list of their top five players, with the first receiving five points, the second four points, the third three points, the fourth two points and the fifth one point.

Voting panels

A list of the top 10 players was then passed to the panel of 18 journalists. They voted for their top three players, giving the first five points, the second three points and third one point. This then formed the shortlist of three for the final vote.

UEFA also revealed a list of the players placed fourth to tenth in Europe as a consequence of the second round of voting by the aforementioned panel of journalists:

Other rankings

4 Nadine Kessler (Ger, Wolfsburg) 16pts

5 Verónica Boquete (Esp, Tyresö) 11

6 Caroline Seger (Swe, Tyresö) 8

7 Nilla Fischer (Swe, Linköpings / Wolfsburg) 6

8 Célia Okoyino da Mbabi (Ger Bad Neuenahr / FFC Frankfurt) 4

9 Wendie Renard (Fra, Lyon) 3

10 Louisa Necib (Fra, Lyon) 2

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Angerer, who recently left 1. FFC Frankfurt for Australia’s Brisbane Roar, topped the vote from a jury composed of 18 journalists, each committed to supporting women’s football, and selected by the European Sports Media Group (ESM). The 34-year-old received a total of ten votes, leaving in second place UEFA Women’s Champions League-winning VfL Wolfsburg and Germany midfielder Lena Goessling on six. Sweden’s Olympique Lyonnais striker Lotta Schelin was third with two.

Captaining Germany to victory at UEFA Women’s EURO 2013 in Sweden in July, her fifth triumph in the competition, Angerer saved two penalties in the 1-0 final defeat of Norway in Solna. She was named player of the tournament by the UEFA Technical Team, heading the all-star squad in which team-mate Goessling and adidas Golden Boot winner Schelin also featured.

“Thank you,” said Angerer. “I am very surprised. I didn’t think that I would win it but I am delighted that I have. I would like to thank those who elected me and would especially like to thank [Germany coach] Silvia Neid who maintained confidence in me when I hard time at Frankfurt after my injury – I’m very grateful for that.”

Angerer received her award from UEFA President Michael Platini and Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger in Nyon. Wenger said: “I am quite surprised how quickly women’s football has spread throughout the countries, it has become very popular now.”

For this award, players were judged on their performances during the 2012/13 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels. The initial shortlist of the top ten players had been provided by the coaches of the teams taking part in UEFA Women’s EURO 2013, as well as the coaches of the clubs which participated in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals. Each coach provided a list of their top five players, with the first receiving five points, the second four points, the third three points, the fourth two points and the fifth one point.

A list of the top ten players was then passed to the panel of 18 journalists. They voted for their top three players, giving the first five points, the second three points and third one point. This then formed the shortlist of three for the final vote.

UEFA also revealed a list of the players placed fourth to tenth in Europe as a consequence of the second round of voting by the aforementioned panel of journalists:

4 Nadine Kessler (GER, VfL Wolfsburg) – number of points, 16
5
 Verónica Boquete (ESP, Tyresö FF) – 11
6
 Caroline Seger (SWE, Tyresö FF) – 8
7
 Nilla Fischer (SWE, Linköpings FC/VfL Wolfsburg) – 6
8
 Célia Okoyino da Mbabi (GER, SC 07 Bad Neuenahr/1. FFC Frankfurt) – 4
9
 Wendie Renard (FRA, Olympique Lyonnais) – 3
10
 Louisa Necib (FRA, Olympique Lyonnais) – 2

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