Date:16/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/16/stories/2008081655471900.htm

Sport - Olympic Games

German women in semifinals

SHENYANG: Defender Kerstin Garefrekes and midfielder Simone Laudehr scored a goal each in extra time to help world champion Germany beat Sweden 2-0 on Friday and reach its third straight Olympic women’s football semifinal.

The teams drew 0-0 in regulation time before Garefrekes headed in a corner kick in the 105th minute, just barely getting the ball past Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, who touched the ball with her fingertips but couldn’t make the save. Laudehr sealed the victory with a right-footer in the 115th.

Germany will now face Brazil in a rematch of last year’s World Cup final, when it won the second of its consecutive world titles. The teams drew 0-0 in their Olympic opener.

Germany’s streak without allowing a goal in major tournaments was extended to 10 matches with Friday’s result. It won last year’s world title with six straight shutouts.

The match at the Shenyang Olympic Stadium was a rematch of the 2003 World Cup final, which Germany won 2-1 to clinch the first of its two consecutive titles. Germany also beat Sweden 1-0 in the bronze-medal match at the Athens Games four years ago. — AP