Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney
Guest(s)
Release Date
20 July 2023
Duration
25 min
In this pre-season special of By Far The Greatest Team, we revisit one of football’s most remarkable and overlooked triumphs — the story of Denmark’s pioneering women’s team, who won back-to-back unofficial World Cups in 1970 and 1971.
At a time when women’s football was banned in many countries, a breakaway body known as FIEFF staged its own international tournaments, giving players the platform that FIFA refused to provide. The Danish team — built around the dominant BK Femina club side — travelled first to Italy in 1970, where they beat the hosts to lift the inaugural title. A year later, they defended their crown in Mexico, in front of record-breaking crowds that filled the Azteca Stadium with over 100,000 spectators.
Led by teenage sensation Susanne Augustesen, who scored a famous hat-trick in the 1971 final against Mexico, Denmark’s players captured the imagination of fans worldwide. But their achievements were largely erased from history, as the women’s game fought for recognition.
The episode explores the atmosphere of the tournaments, the social barriers faced by the players, and the parallel story of England’s “Lost Lionesses”, a team organised by Harry Batt who also defied official opposition to compete in Mexico. Together, they represent a forgotten generation who changed football forever — long before the world was ready to celebrate them.
Denmark Women 1970–71: The Forgotten World Champions
Long before FIFA staged a Women’s World Cup, Denmark’s pioneering women’s team achieved something extraordinary. In 1970 and 1971, they won back-to-back unofficial world titles — first in Italy, then in Mexico — at a time when women’s football was banned in many countries.
Led by teenage forward Susanne Augustesen, who scored a hat-trick in front of 100,000 fans at the Azteca, Denmark’s players stunned the world with their discipline, skill, and courage. The team, built around Copenhagen’s BK Femina, played modern, fast, and fearless football, blending defensive structure with ruthless attacking transitions.
The tournaments, organised by FIEFF, also featured England’s “Lost Lionesses” — a squad assembled by Harry Batt, who defied the FA’s restrictions to send a team to Mexico. Together, these women stood at the crossroads of sport and protest, challenging the system that excluded them.
Though their triumphs were written out of official history, the Denmark team of 1970–71 remain true pioneers — world champions before the world was ready to recognise them. Their story is one of forgotten greatness, rediscovered through the passion and persistence that define football’s earliest heroines.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Denmark’s back-to-back unofficial World Cup victories (1970 & 1971)
The creation of FIEFF and the fight against FIFA’s ban
The rise of teenage star Susanne Augustesen
England’s “Lost Lionesses” and coach Harry Batt
Record crowds and global attention in Mexico 1971
How these pioneers paved the way for future generations
Augustesen scores a hat-trick in front of 100,000 fans at Azteca
Denmark lift back-to-back unofficial World Cups
England’s “Lost Lionesses” defy the FA ban to compete
FIEFF’s tournaments draw record global audiences
Women’s football finds its first heroes
Notable Manager
Jørgen Hviid, FIEFF (Tournament Organisers), BK Femina coaching staff, Harry Batt (England “Lost Lionesses”)
Notable Players
Susanne Augustesen, Birte Kjems, Ann Stengaard, Lene Stengård, Bente Jensen, Bitten Hansen, Alicia Vargas (Mexico), Carol Wilson (England)
Style of Play
4-3-3 Formation, Direct Transitions, Compact Defence, Wide Overloads, Fast Counters, Set-Piece Precision
Denmark’s women’s team of 1970–71 played with remarkable discipline and modernity for an amateur side. Their system, often resembling a 4-3-3, was built on defensive organisation and quick, direct transitions. The foundation came from BK Femina, whose players already had years of club chemistry and a shared tactical understanding.
They combined compact, well-drilled defending with rapid forward play — pressing opponents high when possible, but more often sitting in a controlled mid-block before springing forward through the wide areas. Wingers stayed advanced, stretching defences and creating space for midfield runners to join attacks.
Their attacking play revolved around early balls into space, feeding the speed and finishing instincts of Susanne Augustesen. Set-pieces were another weapon — rehearsed routines that targeted the near post or capitalised on second balls. Against hosts Mexico in 1971, Denmark’s structured defending and fast, decisive counter-attacks silenced the home crowd and showcased a level of tactical maturity far beyond their amateur status.
This was pragmatic football with purpose — resilient, cohesive, and daring. Long before professionalisation or investment arrived, Denmark’s women played a brand of football defined by belief, unity, and the refusal to be underestimated.
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