Germany see off Sweden for Olympic gold
Friday, August 19, 2016
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Silvia Neid brought down the curtain on her 11-year reign as Nationalelf coach triumphantly as Germany overcame a spirited Sweden side 2-1 to win their first Olympic title.
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Germany have scooped Olympic gold for the first time in their history thanks to a 2-1 victory against Sweden in the Rio final.
Dzsenifer Marozsán (48) curled Germany in front from the edge of the area and the final looked as good as over as Linda Sembrant put through her own net in the 62nd minute when Marozsán's free-kick cannoned into her after hitting the post.
Stina Blackstenius (67) turned in Olivia Schough's cross 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute to give Sweden hope but they could not prise an equaliser for coach Pia Sundhage, who was aiming for a third consecutive Olympic triumph having guided the United States to gold in 2008 and 2012.
Germany's success provided a fitting finale for their coach Silvia Neid, who ends her tenure as Nationalelf coach after 11 years. The 52-year-old had steered Germany to Olympic bronze in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Previous European best in women's Olympic football
1996: Norway (bronze)
2000: Norway (gold)
2004: Germany (bronze)
2008: Germany (bronze)
2012: France (fourth)
