FC Gold Pride midfielder Formiga was one of five Brazilian players in WPS who made the trip to Europe this week for friendlies against Germany and Sweden. (John Todd | isiphotos.com)

The German media were calling it the “Duel of the Best” – which American soccer fans would probably take some major issue with considering last year’s Olympic gold medal victory for the U.S. – but when all was said and done, Wednesday’s 1-1 draw between Germany and Brazil at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany was a big win for women’s soccer regardless of which country you root for.

A crowd of 44,825 attended the friendly between the World No. 2-ranked Brazilians and No. 3-ranked Germans setting a record for a women’s soccer game in Europe by eclipsing the previous mark of 29,093 set at the opening game of the 2005 European Championships in Manchester, England.

Several WPS stars were on hand including Cristiane (Chicago Red Stars), Formiga (FC Gold Pride), Erika (FC Gold Pride), Francielle (Saint Louis Athletica) and Marta (Los Angeles Sol). And with Brazilian Olympic coach Jorge Barcellos busy in Saint Louis running his Athletica team for the 2009 WPS Season, newly-installed Kleiton Lima oversaw the Brazilians.

Germany struck first on a 24th-minute goal by Anja Mittag, but the Brazilians struck back on a goal by Maurine in the 36th minute off a free kick from Grazielle. The Germans dictated play in the second half but could not convert as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

In attendance was 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup chief and former Washington Freedom standout in the WUSA, Steffi Jones. With more than two years to go until the 2011 World Cup in Germany, the excitement is already building.