August 22 – Germany’s women won their first Olympic gold medal beating surprise finalists Sweden 2-1 in a tense final at the Maracanã. Canada broke Brazilian hearts beating hosts Brazil 2-1 in the bronze medal play-off.
Sweden had qualified for the final after penalty shoot out wins against the USA and Brazil, and playing a defensive style in the knock out rounds that had been condemned by opponents.
But the final saw different Swedish approach to the game, one that even dominated possession in the first half.
Germany opened the scoring just after halftime with goal from Dzsenifer Marozsan. A failed clearance fell to her and she curled a right-footed shot past diving Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.
Germany doubled their lead after an hour with a Marozsan free kick coming off the post but rebounding back into the goal off defender Linda Sembrant,
Sweden cut the deficit in half in the 66th minute, with Blackstenius meeting a cross to make it 2-1. But Sweden’s late pressure was not enough to prevent the German win and sends the country’s legendary former player and manager Silvia Neid out as a gold medallist – it was her last match managing the national team.
Canada took their third consecutive Olympic bronze medal, beating Brazil 2-1. Deanne Rose and Christine Sinclair scored for Canada while Beatriz pulled one back for the Brazilians.
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