Germany halt American reign

United States 0-3 Germany

Cutting edge
The UEFA Women's Championship holders had signalled their intent with a 7-1 victory against Russia in the previous round, and although the US had opportunities throughout the match, Germany proved to have the cutting edge, their final two goals coming in added time.

Early goal
They scored first on the quarter-hour after an exciting opening period, when Renate Lingor's corner was turned in at the near post by Kerstin Garefrekes. The US responded well to the setback, Cindy Parlow, Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm forcing Germany on to the back foot but without creating real chances.

Prinz goes close
Goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg was in form for Germany as she blocked a Hamm one-on-one on 34 minutes, and continued her heroics into the second half. But it was the German counterattacks that provided the biggest threat to goal, Birgit Prinz twice going close, and in the first minute of added time the game - and revenge for their 1999 quarter-final defeat by the US - was sealed.

Clinching strikes
The clincher came when Maren Meinert found herself alone in the American box after a Prinz pass and made no mistake. Prinz then registered her seventh goal of the tournament - three more than anyone else - two minutes later as Meinert returned the favour in another break.

'Great chances'
Afterwards, German coach Tina Theune-Meyer said: "I had a good feeling today. In the final minutes, the US had to push up further which created great chances for us to counterattack. Silke Rottenberg had an amazing match and the whole side worked really well for each other." Her team now face Sweden - whom they beat to win the European crown in 2001 - in Sunday's final.

'Best game ever played'
The US will meet Canada in the third-place play-off, and their coach April Heinrichs said: "On reflection, we will be able to deal with this loss in a lot of ways because that was the best game ever played in women's football. I am as proud of them now as I was before kick-off."