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Football powerhouse Germany battle against surprise packets Sweden in a clash for Olympic gold at Rio’s famed Maracana Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 06:15 AEST.
After respective group stages losses, the likelihood of Sweden and Germany making the final would have been long odds.
Even longer was the prospect of both teams besting their group stage vanquishers in the semi-finals, after Germany defeated Canada 2-0, while Sweden avenged their group stage thrashing from Brazil by dumping the hosts unceremoniously via a penalty shootout.
Sweden enter the final having only scored three goals from the preceding five games. Such is the paucity of the Swedish threat upfront, that coach Pia Sundhage may retain the semi-final team that contained a five-woman midfield protecting a back three.
With such a prospect, Sweden are likely to sit deep and invite Germany to press forward, and expose them to the counterattacking ability of forwards Stina Blackstenius and captain Lotte Stein.
Having only won once throughout the competition in 90 minutes, and that being courtesy of a late Nilla Fischer winner against South Africa in the group stage, Sweden have drawn parallels with the victorious men’s Portuguese team from the Euros. Such obduracy may serve them well in a game they are expected to be dominated by.
As decorated a name that Germany is, Olympic gold is the one title that still eludes both the men and women.
While the men will have their turn at the Maracana on Sunday, the ladies will be expected to deliver against a team that on form should be no match for them.
Yet since conceding five in the group stages, the German defence has since tightened to ensure clean sheet wins in their following two knockout games. Coach Silvia Neid, in her final game as boss of Die Nationalelf, will likely retain the 4-3-3 formation that defeated Canada, with Melanie Behringer the key player.
Having scored the opening goal in their last three games, Behringer’s influence in midfield will be critical in breaking down the likely packed central space occupied by the Swedes. Germany will still keep three upfront, with Dzsenifer Marozsan available to drop deeper if required as a target player.
The German back four should only be guarding themselves against crosses from Swedish wingers Lisa Dahlkvist and Caroline Seger, plus possible counterattacks.
On evidence and balance, Germany should win at a canter, yet the Swedes may fancy themselves to keep their fancies opponents for yet another contest in extra time.