Europeans clear Olympic hurdles
Saturday 9 August 2008
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Germany's Kerstin Stegemann celebrates scoring against Nigeria (©Getty Images)
All three European contenders won their second games in the Olympic women's football tournament 1-0 on Saturday, meaning Norway are into Friday's quarter-finals with Germany and Sweden likely to join them.
Germany win
World and European champions Germany were keen on victory after being held 0-0 by Brazil in their Group F opener and duly defeated Nigeria 1-0 in Shenyang. But they were given a tough game by the African champions before Kerstin Stegemann headed in a 64th-minute cross from substitute Anja Mittag. Brazil lead Germany on goals scored after a 2-1 win against Korea DPR with first-half efforts from Swedish-based duo Daniela and Marta before a late consolation. On Tuesday, Germany take on North Korea, who are one point behind but look likely to go through at least as one of the two best third-placed teams in the three groups.
Sweden recover
Sweden lie third in Group E but also are on course to progress after bouncing back from their 2-1 loss to hosts China with a 1-0 win against Argentina in Tianjin. The South American side have improved from their disappointing FIFA Women's World Cup showing but Sweden finally broke through when Therese Sjögran's free-kick was turned in by Nilla Fischer. Coach Thomas Dennerby said: "I felt as the game progressed that we would always win, but it didn't come easy. Now that we have our first points we can come out and be a little more relaxed in our next game." Sweden are a point behind their next opponents Canada and China, who drew 1-1.
Norway through
Norway are definitely in the quarter-finals and remain in control of Group G after beating New Zealand 1-0. Having overcome the United States 2-0 on Wednesday, the 2000 gold-medallists prevailed today thanks to Melissa Wiik's second goal of the tournament. Earlier, the American defending champions bounced back with a Carli Lloyd goal giving them a 1-0 win against Japan to move two points ahead of both their opponents and New Zealand. A point against Japan on Tuesday would give Norway first place in the pool while the Asian side need victory to keep their hopes alive – as do New Zealand against the US, who will meet the winners of Germany's group should they finish runners-up in the pool.
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