NEW YORK, 7 October 2003 — Germany reached the final of the Women’s World Cup by shocking hosts and defending champions the United States 3-0 on Sunday.
They will meet Sweden in the Oct. 12 final, after the Scandinavians scored twice in seven minutes late on to beat Canada 2-1 in the day’s other semifinal.
The US, favorites to retain their title, fell behind to an early Kerstin Garefrekes header and despite dominating much of the tense encounter in Portland, Oregon, could not break down a diligent German rearguard.
Maren Meinert and Birgit Prinz both claimed injury-time goals on the counterattack to increase American woe, and leave players such as Mia Hamm — likely bowing out of World Cup soccer after a glittering career — in tears.
“That may have been the greatest match in the history of women’s soccer,” US coach April Heinrichs said.
“We had our chances ... but we were playing against a great team. The margins (between success and failure) are so slim.
“I just told my players I’m proud of them, and that I would not swap them for anyone else.” With 12 goals to their name before Sunday’s clash, the US were strongly favored to add to the world titles won in 1991 and 1999.
But Germany, the reigning European champions, have improved through every stage of this year’s tournament in search of a maiden world crown.
It took 15 minutes for Garefrekes to break the deadlock, directing a header in off the underside of the crossbar from Renate Lingor’s inswinging corner.
Thereafter, Germany were overworked in repelling wave after wave of US attacks, and were indebted to goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg for preserving their lead.
She saved well from Kristine Lilly, Hamm and Cindy Parlow, while the US players called for a penalty when she collided with substitute Tiffeny Milbrett in the second half. With the US throwing players forward in search of an equalizer in the first minute of injury time, Prinz released Meinert for Germany’s second goal and two minutes later, Meinert returned the favor for Prinz, the tournament’s leading scorer, to notch her seventh goal of USA 2003. The win avenged their defeat to the US in the quarterfinals four years ago.
“Perhaps our relaxed attitude today was the difference to 1999,” Germany coach Tina Theune-Meyer said.
“Silke Rottenberg had an amazing match and the whole side worked really well for each other.
“But I had a good feeling for today.”
Canada have been the surprise package of this year’s tournament and it looked as though they could extend their run when Kara Lang’s swerving free kick from 30 meters was parried into the top corner by culpable Sweden keeper Caroline Joensson after 64 minutes.
But a brilliant link-up between Victoria Svensson and Malin Mostroem saved Sweden in Portland.
Their quickly taken free-kick enabled Mostroem to level in the 79th minute and, from a low Svensson cross four minutes from time, substitute Josefine Oeqvist steered home the winner off the upright. The final will be played at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California.
The US and Canada will contest the third-fourth place playoff in Carson on Oct. 11.
