Viewers knew it wasn’t meant to be when the USA began the final lap essentially even with Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man who was attempting to win his ninth gold medal.
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Asked how the young and inexperienced German players would deal with the hostility from the Brazilian fans, Germany coach Horst Hrubesch said: “What could be a greater experience for a young player than to be here at the Maracana for the final of an Olympic Games, playing in front of almost 80,000 people?”
“I think we actually won the silver medal rather than losing the gold”, Sweden coach Pia Sundhage said. It is the first time one nation has had both its teams in the final.
However, a fine strike from Dzsenifer Marozsan and Linda Sembrant’s comical own goal ensured Germany were deservedly crowned champions for the first time at the Maracana on Friday, with Stina Blackstenius’ response ultimately in vain for Sweden.
Once the United States was eliminated from the women’s soccer competition at the Rio Olympics, the tournament became a wide-open affair.
Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who led the U.S. to Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, was philosophical after the defeat.
In the women’s soccer gold medal match, Germany defeated Sweden 2-1.
Canada fell to Germany in the semifinals which set them up for this bronze medal match with Brazil.
Sweden, who scored just three goals in their five games in the run up to the showpiece, started positively.
They had the better chances in the first half, but it was not until three minutes after the break that Dzsenifer Marozsan’s sailed into the top-right corner.
“It’s different to play against the US and Brazil – and Germany – you have to look at the differences”, Sundhage said.
In the previous two matches, Sweden hunkered down on defense – drawing criticism from US goalkeeper Hope Solo – but Sundhage had her team attack more against Germany.
CLUELESS: Now that we’ve reached the point of memorizing most of the Olympic commercials, we feel safe offering our nomination for the most annoying. It is easier when you make the decisions yourself.
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Melanie Leupolz powered a close-range header over before Mittag inexplicably missed in a frustrating opening period for Germany, who were threatened by Sweden’s star turn Lotta Schelin and Lisa Dahlkvist. “I want to keep on learning other things”.
