Norway claims women's title

SYDNEY, SEPT 28. Dagny Mellgren's golden goal gave Norway victory over the United States and the gold medal in the Olympic women's football tournament here today after the sides had drawn 2-2 in normal time.

Mellgren - a second-half substitute - appeared to control the ball with her arm in the 12th minute of the extra period but was allowed to fire a shot low into the corner that the US goalkeeper Siri Mullinix should have saved.

The result confirmed the Scandinavians' position as the nemesis of the United States, which had previously been unbeaten in international competition since losing to Norway in the semifinal of the 1995 World Cup.

Tiffany Milbrett's last minute header from Mia Hamm's cross had forced the extra period after Norway had taken a scarcely deserved lead in the 77th minute.

Mullinix was again at fault, colliding with defender Joy Fawcett when dealing with a regulation cross to allow Ragnhild Gulbranden's header to fly into an empty net.

But the Norwegian's real hero was goalkeeper Bente Nordby who made a string of second-half saves to keep the scores level.

The Americans had taken the lead as early as the fifth minute when Hamm broke into the penalty area and cut the ball back for Milbrett to drive into an unguarded net.

Milbrett went close again before Julie Foudy headed Shannon McMillan's cross against the bar.

But Norway equalised with their first attempt on goal a minute before the interval.

Defender Gro Especeth climbed above Kate Sobrero to plant a firm header in the net from Hege Riise's corner.

After the break the Americans piled forward and Nordby saved brilliantly from Milbrett and Hamm before Kristine Lilly spurned a great chance to put the Americans ahead midway through the half.

She fired at Nordby from point-blank range before hitting the rebound straight at Goeril Kringen, who was able to head the ball off the line.

Mullinix's blunder appeared to have gifted Norway victory but Milbrett pounced late to save the us before their tiring defenders were exposed by Mellgren.

Germany bags bronze

Germany took the bronze medal with a 2-0 victory over Brazil. Renate Lingor put the Germans on their way with a stunning free- kick midway through the second-half, curling the ball over the wall and into the top right-hand corner.

And striker Birgit Prinz made it two in the 78th minute, brilliantly trapping a long thorough ball and running on to slot past the advancing Andreia.

With the Brazilian defence in tatters Inka Grings should have added a third a minute later but she blazed wide of an open goal having rounded the exposed Andreia.

Germany, which won 2-1 when the sides met in the group stage, began lethargically - possibly still in shock from Tina Wunderlich's horrendous own goal, which gifted Norway victory in Monday's semifinal.

But Prinz came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first-half when her in-swinging corner rattled against the crossbar.

Sandra Minnert also went close with a long-range free- kick and Maren Meinert forced another effort from distance narrowly over the bar.

The Brazilian's only real chance was a shot from Formiga in the 13th minute, which was scrambled clear.

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