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Matchday Five
Gold Medal Bound For Europe
by Jeremy Ruane
The gold medal on offer at the Olympic Women's Football Tournament at Rio 2016 is destined for a European nation, after Germany and Sweden prevailed in semi-finals action on August 16.
70,454 fans piled into the Maracana Stadium to cheer on hosts Brazil as they looked to break down the defence-based ploy to which the Swedes have turned to fulfil their dream of winning a first-ever Olympic medal for women's football.
Ten days ago, Brazil had inflicted a 5-1 hiding upon Pia Sundhage's side, but there was to be no repeat of that goal-fest in this encounter, which saw neither side able to break the deadlock over the course of two hours of action.
Brazil enjoyed the bulk of possession, with Marta frequently leading the charge in an effort to fire "La Canarinha" in front. Debinha, Beatriz and Cristiane all had chances, but Hedvig Lindahl proved equal to all they could muster, although Lisa Dahlkvist went close to opening the scoring at the wrong end when heading past her own post to keep out a corner from Marta.
At the other end of the park, chances were less frequent, but Lotta Schelin was invariably a factor when the Swedes threatened, particularly in extra time. Barbara had to keep out a Stina Blackstenius effort before the ninety minutes was up, while the next denial of note she would make was in the penalty shoot-out.
Cristiane had already seen Lindahl save her spot-kick when Barbara denied Kosovare Asilani from twelve yards. Then it was Andressinha's turn, the youngster in despair after Lindahl flung herself to her right to keep out her effort, the last of Brazil's five shots before sudden death became necessary.
It wasn't, however, Dahlkvist ramming her effort past Barbara to silence the natives and send Sweden into the final, where they will face Germany, who overcame Canada 2-0 in front of 5,641 fans at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.
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It was sweet revenge for Silvia Neid's team, whom John Herdman's charges had edged 2-1 earlier in the tournament. There was to be no repeat for the Canadians this time, however, relentless early pressure from the Germans rewarded when Melanie Behringer belted home a twentieth minute penalty, awarded after Alexandra Popp had been brought down by Kadeisha Buchanan.
The Canadian defender was only denied an equaliser before half-time by Tabea Kemme's goal-line clearance, but on the hour, Germany doubled their advantage, Sara Daebritz belting home from the edge of the penalty area after a Melanie Leupolz-inspired raid had caught the Canadians on the hop.
They sought a way back into it, but when Diana Matheson saw Almuth Schult turn her 77th minute effort to safety, the game was up for Canada, who will look to win bronze for the second successive Olympics when they take on Brazil at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo from 4am on Saturday, NZ time.
The gold medal encounter will be the first-ever all-European clash in an Olympic Women's Football Tournament, with all five previous finals having involved the USA.
It will also be the first Olympic final for either Germany or Sweden, who meet at the Maracana from 8.30am on Saturday, NZ time, with the match being the last occasion Silvia Neid will be in charge of the German team.
She is stepping down after twelve years in charge, during which time she has won the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011 and an Olympic bronze medal three years prior. And her final will be the first final with two female coaches in opposing dugouts!
Details:
Brazil 0, Sweden 0 aet Sweden, 4-3 on pens
Canada 0, Germany 2 (M. Behringer (20 pen), S. Daebritz (59)) HT 0-1
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