Sunday, October 5, 2003

 

The North American teams will meet for Third Place Saturday when the United States and tournament surprise Canada square off in the consolation match. Meanwhile, the two European nations of Germany and Sweden will play for the championship Sunday courtesy of 3-0 and 2-1 wins, respectively, over the US and Canada.

 

SEMIFINALS

In a tight, back-and-forth match, the game was much closer than the final score indicated as Germany put two away in the second half stoppage time to ice their victory and ensure their spot in the championship match. Kerstin Garafrekes scored the opening marker in the 15th minute on a corner kick. Birgit Prinz would score her tournament-leading seventh goal in the third minute of stoppage time, giving her a three-goal cushion over Garafrekes and Brazil's Katia.
FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/29/index.html

Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kara Lang nearly sent the surprising Canadians onto the final with her 30-yard free kick that Swedish goalkeeper Caroline Jonsson was unable to fully stop at the far post in the 65th minute. But Sweden's constant attack finally was able to crack the makeshift Canadian defense, which was created from injuries to several starters and survived the continual pressure of China in the Quarterfinal. Sweden would score twice in the final 11 minutes, beating surprising goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek with two unstoppable goals. Malin Mostroem leveled the game in the 79th minute and Josefine Oeqvist struck the game-winner in the 86th to advance to the final, where they will face Germany.
FIFA Game Summary: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/30/index.html

Schedule/Results: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/match/index.html

Final Group Standings: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/group/index.html

Statistics: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/03/en/t/stat/overview.html