Finals Recap, Plus the Best of the 2016 Women’s Olympic Soccer Tournament
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Soccer Features
Thankfully, it wasn’t the snoozefest many were expecting. Although Sweden’s defense got them to the final, they weren’t as compact against Germany, allowing for more open play than in previous matches.
The Rio crowd seemed to collectively root for the other team in yellow, Sweden, despite them having defeated Brazil in the semifinal. Both teams had their chances in the first half but went to the break nil-nil.
Early in the second half, Germany played the ball around the down the right flank eventually finding Dzsenifer Marozsan at the top of the box who smashed a screamer past Hedvig Lindahl for the breakthrough goal.
Down a goal, Sweden were forced to play more aggressively, further opening up the game and making for a more exciting match. Marozsan would later take a free kick in the 62nd minute, which hit the post but was then deflected back into the goal by Sweden’s Linda Sembrant for an own-goal.
With the fire stoked, Sweden came roaring back in the 67th minute with a goal by substitute Stina Blackstenius. On the other end, Germany had several chances to add to their lead but failed to finish them.
There were several frantic moments in the final 7 minutes as Sweden tried to equalize with the crowd rooting them on. However, Germany would hold on to win the match for their first Olympic gold medal. Sweden won silver, their first-ever Olympic medal.
Canada Wins Repeat Bronze
Canada was just too good for Brazil in one of the more competitive contests of the tournament.
Midway through the first-half, Canada took advantage on a counterattack as Ashley Lawrence took the ball the length of field. Just outside the 6-yard box she laid the pass to Deanne Rose who booted in Canada’s first goal.
Rose would then assist on Christine Sinclair’s goal early in the second half to extend the lead to 2-0. In the 79th minute, Brazil’s Beatriz found the back of the net to make it a one-goal deficit.
An exhausted Brazil put in a gutsy performance to stage a comeback but in the end they couldn’t come up with the result they wanted.
BEST OF THE OLYMPIC TOURNAMENT
Best Goal – Tan Ruyin – China
Golazo Olímpico – el que hizo ayer Tan Ruyin para China vs. Sudáfrica en #fútbol femenino ????? #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/C4X3iyLTpk
— Rodrigo Frugoni (@rodrigoafp) August 7, 2016
Tan Ruyin of China scored this beauty from 40 yards out against South Africa during the group stage.
Breakout Star – Tie: Sara Däbritz (Germany) and Janine Beckie (Canada)
At only 21 years old each, both Däbritz and Beckie played critical roles for their teams scoring three goals a piece in the tournament.
Best Friend – Anja Mittag (Germany)
Immediately after winning gold, German forward Anja Mittag went to put on a Simone Laudehr jersey and then held Laudehr’s jersey up during the podium ceremony. Laudehr suffered an ankle injury in the first match versus Zimbabwe and was unable to compete in the rest of the tournament, but that didn’t mean Mittag couldn’t include Laudehr in the celebrations.
Best Fan – This Brazilian kid
This boy says Brazil’s women’s soccer team is “killing it” and it’s a sign of feminism. pic.twitter.com/YaHc3kmR1m
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 9, 2016
Best Hair – Marjory Nyaumwe – Zimbabwe
Need we say more?
Best Arm Sleeve – Tie: Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan
Wonder if they will be adding any new tattoos commemorating their gold?
Best Performance by a Non-competitor – Sydney Leroux (USA)
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Sydney Leroux still has some work to do but we think she’s definitely got a chance for 2020. Okay, maybe she should stick to soccer.