On top of the world

By Paul Saffer

When the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup began little over a fortnight ago, an all-European final seemed a long shot.

Hosts tipped
With the finals returning to the United States, a rerun of the 1999 decider between the hosts and China was favoured by bookmakers. Even 1995 winners Norway and UEFA Women's Championship holders Germany, rated by FIFA as No2 and No3 in the world, were expected to falter against the US, who they were both potentially scheduled to meet in the knockout phase.

Norway blow
The US seemed to have confirmed their ranking as favourites when they overcame Sweden in their first group game, and when Brazil saw off former winners  Norway 4-1 to ensure the European side would play the US in the last eight, the hosts' progress to glory at the expense of UEFA affiliated sides looked inevitable.

Storming win
The US duly ended Norway's campaign, but the other three quarter-finals marked a distinct shift back across the Atlantic. Germany had a storming 7-1 win against Russia, and Sweden kept themselves on course as they beat much-fancied Brazil.

Holders blown away
But perhaps just as significant was Canada's sensational 1-0 win against 1999 finalists China. Showing that shocks could arrive even at this level, it was maybe the inspiration as Germany stepped on to the pitch against the US, and blew them away 3-0 to reach their first final since their 1995 defeat by Norway in Stockholm.

European replay
Hours later, also at Portland's PGE Park stadium, Sweden set up a replay of the 1995 and 2001 UEFA Women's Championship finals - both of which they lost to Germany - as a late Josefine Öqvist goal sealed a 2-1 comeback victory against Canada. In the first World Cup in 1991 Sweden beat Germany in the third-place match - now, on Sunday, they will face off for the gold medal. 

Prinz tally
Certainly, Germany's win against the US seemed to confirm the European champions' status as the tournament’s stars. Their five games have seen them register 23 goals - the next highest tally is 12 - and concede just three. Meanwhile, Birgit Prinz is three clear of any other individual scorer with seven goals.

'Everybody was calm'
US coach April Heinrichs admitted that their semi-final was "the best game ever played in women's football", and her opposite number Tina Theune-Meyer said: "In the dressing-room everybody was calm. We were sure that we could accomplish this task."

Young talent
In Sweden, though, they face a side packed with young talent, including 24-year-old striker Hanna Ljungberg, who has now scored 50 international goals, and Victoria Svensson, the Nordic side's inspiration against Canada.

Happy as underdogs
Having lost both of those European finals against Germany on their opponents' home soil, they could fancy their chances on the neutral territory of Carson, California, and Ljungberg is happy to be playing for the underdogs, saying: "We have everything to win, so we know what we need to do."

Sweden's self-confidence
It may be a far cry from their opening defeat against the US, but coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors said their tough start - they also had to beat Asian champions Democratic People's Republic of Korea to progress - helped then. "I think it was the best group. I also knew that if we got through it that we would be very strong. Then we got Brazil and won that game. Then I think we had the self-confidence to go all the way."