ITALY’S surprise run to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup this year went a long way towards changing misconceptions about the women’s game in a country where the most popular sport is dominated by men.

Out of a population of 60 million, more than 20 million spectators watched Italy’s five matches on RAI state TV, setting audience records for women’s football game after game.

Nearly all of the big men’s clubs — Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma — have recently developed teams to play in the growing Serie A women’s league — with games shown live on Sky Italia every weekend.