Germany claimed the first half of what it hopes will be an Olympic football double Friday by defeating Sweden 2-1 to claim women’s gold in Rio’s Maracana Stadium.
There were ecstatic scenes at the full-time whistle as the German bench and players piled on top of one another.
Although, Die Nationalelf has recorded two World Cup triumphs and eight European Championship wins over the years, this was its first success on the Olympic stage.
For German women’s coach Silvia Neid, the success was the perfect sendoff in her last match after 11 years in charge.
Neid’s side opened the scoring just after halftime when Dzsenifer Maroszan delightfully curled the ball home from the edge of the Sweden area.
The advantage was doubled on the hour mark when Sweden’s Linda Sembrant inexplicably lashed the ball into her own net after a German free-kick attempt hit the post.
But the Swedes weren’t done yet and pulled one back moments later when Stina Blackstenius slid in to reduce the deficit.
“I’m very proud of my team. It’s amazing. Unexplainable,” goalscorer Maroszan told reporters. “It is a wonderful feeling. It was very motivating for us that the fans were cheering for Sweden.”
Earlier Friday, Canada upset host nation Brazil 2-1 to claim bronze.
Deanne Rose and Christine Sinclair put the Canadians two goals ahead and, despite Beatriz pulling a goal back late on, Brazil couldn’t take the game to extra time.
