The dream is becoming a reality for the Germany women’s national team. The women’s team will be competing for an Olympic gold medal for the first time in the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio. The European Champions made history with their 2-0 victory over Canada in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte. On Friday they will try and give head coach Silvia Neid a golden send-off in the final against Sweden.
Just like in the quarter final against China, the terrific Melanie Behringer put Germany in the lead with her goal in the 21st minute. The Bayern München midfielder’s penalty kick was her fifth goal of the tournament so far. The second goal scored by Sara Däbritz in the 59th minute secured their place in history.
Neid opts for the same starting eleven against China
The German team succeeded in getting revenge on Canada for their 1-2 loss against them in the preliminaries last week. The men’s national team also celebrated reaching a final in the Belo Horizonte Arena after their 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.
In her 179th and also penultimate game as head coach, Neid used the same 4-2-3-1 starting formation as in the quarterfinal against China. Her team came out a lot stronger and less apprehensive on the field against the 2012 Olympic bronze medalists. Germany had the first good chance from a free-kick however Canada’s goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé got to the ball before a lurking Melanie Leupolz in the area.
Behringer scores her fifth goal of the tournament
Four minutes later however, Canada fought back and Janine Beckie hit the side netting after a counter-attack. The team started to pick up up pace and the duel between the two sides became increasingly physical, especially from Canada.
This led to the first goal. Kadeisha Buchanan took down the newly selected Women’s Footballer of the Year Alexandra Popp in the penalty area. Referee Ri Hyang OK (North Korea) immediately pointed to the spot and booked the centre-back. Behringer hammered the ball into the top of the net. After conceding the first goal, Canada went looking for the equaliser. Just before half-time, full-back Tabea Kemme kept Germany in the lead as she cleared Buchanan’s header off the line for a corner.
Germany came out stronger in the second half
Shortly after the start of the second half, Däbritz was through on goal but shot the ball straight at the keeper. About ten minutes later Melanie Leupolz nearly scored the second goal for Germany, she couldn’t quite reach Alexandra Popp’s flick on. Canada came back on the counterattack but luckily for Germany Janine Beckie shot wide from 16 meters. After Däbritz’s great goal in 59th minute, Germany was well on track for reaching the Olympic final. Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schullt prevented Canada from getting a goal back with his fine saves against superstar Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson in the second half.
Germany will face Sweden on Friday after the Scandavian team beat hosts Brazil to a place in the final. Pia Sundhage’s team managed to beat the hosts 4-3 in a penalty shootout and now they are looking to win an Olympic gold. Sweden also knocked out favourites USA in the quarterfinal, winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
The dream is becoming a reality for the Germany women’s national team. The women’s team will be competing for an Olympic gold medal for the first time in the legendary Maracanã Stadium in Rio. The European Champions made history with their 2-0 victory over Canada in the semi-final in Belo Horizonte. On Friday they will try and give head coach Silvia Neid a golden send-off in the final against Sweden.
Just like in the quarter final against China, the terrific Melanie Behringer put Germany in the lead with her goal in the 21st minute. The Bayern München midfielder’s penalty kick was her fifth goal of the tournament so far. The second goal scored by Sara Däbritz in the 59th minute secured their place in history.
Neid opts for the same starting eleven against China
The German team succeeded in getting revenge on Canada for their 1-2 loss against them in the preliminaries last week. The men’s national team also celebrated reaching a final in the Belo Horizonte Arena after their 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup.
In her 179th and also penultimate game as head coach, Neid used the same 4-2-3-1 starting formation as in the quarterfinal against China. Her team came out a lot stronger and less apprehensive on the field against the 2012 Olympic bronze medalists. Germany had the first good chance from a free-kick however Canada’s goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé got to the ball before a lurking Melanie Leupolz in the area.
Behringer scores her fifth goal of the tournament
Four minutes later however, Canada fought back and Janine Beckie hit the side netting after a counter-attack. The team started to pick up up pace and the duel between the two sides became increasingly physical, especially from Canada.
This led to the first goal. Kadeisha Buchanan took down the newly selected Women’s Footballer of the Year Alexandra Popp in the penalty area. Referee Ri Hyang OK (North Korea) immediately pointed to the spot and booked the centre-back. Behringer hammered the ball into the top of the net. After conceding the first goal, Canada went looking for the equaliser. Just before half-time, full-back Tabea Kemme kept Germany in the lead as she cleared Buchanan’s header off the line for a corner.
Germany came out stronger in the second half
Shortly after the start of the second half, Däbritz was through on goal but shot the ball straight at the keeper. About ten minutes later Melanie Leupolz nearly scored the second goal for Germany, she couldn’t quite reach Alexandra Popp’s flick on. Canada came back on the counterattack but luckily for Germany Janine Beckie shot wide from 16 meters. After Däbritz’s great goal in 59th minute, Germany was well on track for reaching the Olympic final. Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schullt prevented Canada from getting a goal back with his fine saves against superstar Christine Sinclair and Diana Matheson in the second half.
Germany will face Sweden on Friday after the Scandavian team beat hosts Brazil to a place in the final. Pia Sundhage’s team managed to beat the hosts 4-3 in a penalty shootout and now they are looking to win an Olympic gold. Sweden also knocked out favourites USA in the quarterfinal, winning the penalty shootout 4-3.
