Shock entry for Germany in final

Germany reached the final of the Women8217;s World Cup by shocking hosts and defending champions the United States 3-0 on Sunday. They will...

Germany reached the final of the Women8217;s World Cup by shocking hosts and defending champions the United States 3-0 on Sunday.

They will meet Sweden in the October 12 final, after the Scandinavians scored twice in seven minutes late on to beat Canada 2-1 in the day8217;s other semi-final.

The U.S., favourites 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 counter-attack to increase American woe, and leave players such as Mia Hamm 8212; likely bowing out of World Cup soccer after a glittering career 8212; in tears.

8220;That may have been the greatest match in the history of women8217;s soccer,8221; U.S. coach April Heinrichs said.

8220;We had our chances 8230; but we were playing against a great team. The margins between success and failure are so slim.

8220;I just told my players I8217;M Proud of them, and that I would not swap them for anyone else.8221;

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With 12 goals to their name before Sunday8217;s clash, the U.S. were strongly favoured to add to the world titles won in 1991 and 1999.

But Germany, the reigning European champions, have improved through every stage of this year8217;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 Lingor8217;s inswinging corner.

Thereafter, Germany were overworked in repelling wave after wave of U.S. Attacks, and were indebted to goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg for preserving their lead. She saved well from Kristine Lilly, Hamm and Cindy Parlow, while the U.S. players called for a penalty when she collided with substitute Tiffeny Milbrett in the second half.

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With the U.S. Throwing players forward in search of anequaliser in the first minute of injury time, Prinz released Meinert for Germany8217;s second goal and two minutes later, Meinert returned the favour for Prinz, the tournament8217;s leading scorer, to notch her seventh goal of USA 2003.

The win avenged their defeat to the U.S. In thequarter-finals four years ago.

8220;Perhaps our relaxed attitude today was the difference to1999,8221; Germany coach Tina Theune-Meyer said.

8220;Silke Rottenberg had an amazing match and the whole sideworked really well for each other.

8220;But I had a good feeling for today.8221;

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Canada have been the surprise package of this year8217;stournament and it looked as though they could extend their run when Kara Lang8217;s swerving free kick from 30 metres was parried into the top corner by culpable Sweden keeper Caroline Joensson after 64 minutes. But a brilliant link-up between Victoria Svensson and MalinMostroem saved Sweden in Portland.

Their quickly-taken free-kick enabled Mostroem to level inthe 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 U.S. And Canada will contest the third-fourth placeplay-off in Carson on October 11. Reuters