Winning formula

England's Alex Scott tells us why Nadine Angerer won the Women's World Player of the Year.

Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was voted the best women's football player in the world for 2013 at the Ballon d'Or on Monday night. The current European player of the year, defeated United States' Abby Wambach, last year's winner, and five-time champion Marta of Brazil. And here's why... At 35 years old, Nadine Angerer could be excused for spending the next few years contentedly looking back on the most decorated of careers but, on the contrary, she is in the form of her life. The year of 2013 will be tough to surpass given captain Angerer proved herself the best goalkeeper in women's football as Germany were crowned European champions largely courtesy of her superlative performance in the final against Norway. Earlier in her career, at the 2007 World Cup, Angerer played every game and conceded not a solitary goal - setting the record for consecutive minutes without conceding at 540 minutes. She saved a penalty in the final, too, denying Brazil's Marta, who she also beat to the 2013 Ballon d'Or. Twice Norway failed to beat Angerer from the penalty spot in that final as a young German side claimed a 1-0 victory to be crowned the continent's finest. With well more than 100 caps for her country, Angerer is very much Germany coach Silvia Neid's on-field general. Angerer's performance at the 2013 Euros rightly earned her individual accolades, as she was named Europe's best player. And, on Monday night, Angerer will broadened that claim to cover the entire world.

ALEX'S VIEW...

"Alongside Hope Solo, Nadine Angerer's name has always been mentioned as one of the best women goalkeepers in the world. Once again she showed the world her full credentials during the summer at the European Championship. She captained a young, inexperienced-looking Germany side all the way to the final. She stepped up to the mark when her team needed her on more than one occasion, with a double penalty save the highlight in the final. It was a truly remarkable individual performance on one of the biggest football stages there is. Having played against Germany a number of times myself, Nadine Angerer has always been a cornerstone in the team. On the field she is a true presence and leader."