RIO DE JANEIRO Germany’s victory over Sweden in the Olympic women’s soccer final was the flawless way for coach Silvia Neid to step down after a distinguished career with the team, first as a player and then behind the bench.
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Germany failed to qualify for the Olympics in 2012 but won the bronze the last three times they played, in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Sweden could count themselves extremely fortunate to head into half-time level after their goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl parried Leonie Maier’s shot into the six-yard box.
Sweden, having scored just three goals in reaching the final, finally showed their attacking abilities with a well-worked move finished off by Blackstenius five minutes later.
Germany looked set to triumph with a degree of comfort when a Marozsan free-kick struck the post after 62 minutes and Sembrant inadvertently thundered the loose ball into her own net.
A frantic closing period saw the Scandinavians push for an equalizer – making a mockery of the cowards tag previously given them by USA goalkeeper, Hope Solo – but Germany always looked unsafe on the break.
Neid, who will take on a new role heading up the national sides’ scouting department, is now handing over the team to assistant Steffi Jones.
“I’m very proud of my team”, said Marozsan after the victory. “It’s completely different when you decide yourself when to stop”, she said. “We are in very good shape now we’ve worked very hard and that is the most important thing”. She was an assistant on Germany’s team that won the 2003 World Cup, then took over as coach of the senior women in 2005, leading the team to another World Cup title in 2007. She’s had an equally illustrious coaching career, winning gold medals with US national team at both the Beijing and London Games. When they did it was a goal worthy of a cup final. She can also claim a World Cup in 2003 as assistant coach.
Earlier in the day, Canada beat Brazil 2-1 in the bronze medal match.
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Neid said for 34 years she has been a player, an assistant or a coach. “Now I want to do something else, to keep on learning, do something different”.
