via Paul Carr, ESPN stat guru

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[Twist:  This is a great preview for the Finals match today.  We'll have an open thread up in a few hours, but for now check this post one.  Also, scroll down to vote in this weekend's CGB Hall Of Fame matchups or click here or here.  GO BEARS]

Very early morning for me (and noon time for the rest of you), the United States will take on Japan in the Women's World Cup Finals! Winner gets a really nice paper weight -  I mean, the World Cup Trophy. The last time the US has won the World Cup was in 1999. 

It's been a long and surprising journey to the Finals for the US from the very first heady days of victories over North Korea and Colombia followed by the blow struck by Sweden on the final day of group stage matches. However, the US regrouped and managed to win over Brazil in the quarterfinals, tying the game in OT despite being down one player for half the match and then finally winning on PKs 5-4.

A Dramatic Win over Brazil

Lastly, the US downed France in the semifinals to make it back to the final match.

Japan's road has been just as trying. They too suffered a group stage loss on the last day to England but came back stronger than ever, winning 1-0 over Germany, widely considered to be one of the favorites to win the tournament. Then, they clinically dismantled Sweden in the semifinals and now will face the US. 

Japan will be led by Captain and playmaker, Homare Sawa

The US has won their past five meetings with Japan (and in fact, the overall record on Japan's part against the US is something like 0-23-1), but this is the World Cup Finals. All bets are off here and it should be a great game!

However, before we get to it... This post is going to be combination compilation of pictures, videos, and other fangirling and / or things I find funny combined with some thoughts on the Japan match going in. 

First, watch and listen to this Women's World Cup Mood Reel. There's a fair amount of clips from previous WWC, but it's a good way to see some highlight on the top four teams as ranked by FIFA coming into this WWC (respectively, US, Germany, Brazil, Japan). 

Second, the Nike Pressure Makes Us clip came out for Alex Morgan.

More after the jump... 

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When the Fab Four arrived on campus, they were going to change Cal's culture. Prior to their arrival, Cal had had 12 straight losing seasons and hadn't been to the NCAA tournament in 13. Since then, the Fab Four and Coach Boyle have led the team to 4 straight winning seasons, 4 straight NCAA tournaments, and this year, to Cal's first ever Sweet 16 in women's basketball.

via imgs.sfgate.com

Cal celebrating their win over Virginia and into the Sweet 16.

The Fab Four consists of Ashley Walker, Devanei Hampton, Shantrell Sneed, and Alexis Gray Lawson. Three of them will graduate this year - two of them with the possibility of playing in the WNBA - and one will stay on to provide leadership for our fantastic incoming class of recruits.

More than enough has been said about Walker and Hampton. These two pillars were a huge reason for the success of Cal women's basketball team over the past four years and they deserve all the accolades and acclaim they've received. In fact, they deserve more!

Both of them have a more than good chance of being drafted in the WNBA draft. The draft will be held in Secaucus, New Jersey, on Thursday, April 9th. First round will be televised on ESPN2 HD from 12-1 PM PST and after that, ESPNU HD and NBA TV will televise 2nd and 3rd round from 1-2:30 PST. It will also be broadcast on ESPN360.com.

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