Germany scored two much-awaited goal in extra-time, edging Sweden to reach semifinals of the Olympic women's soccer.
Midfielder Kerstin Garefrekes jumped for a header in the 105th minute after Renate Lingor crossed the ball from the left corner. Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl stuck up a hand, but couldn't stop the ball sailing toward the far post.
In the second half of extra-time, Renate Lingor confirmed the German victory with a small angle shot from the right.
The late goals sent Germany into the semifinal when they are going to meet the United States, who also came through extra-time in a match with Canada.
The two sides fought fiercely and created many chances in both halves, but neither of them could break the deadlock before the half-hour extra time.
Melanie Behringer nearly ended the goal drought in the last minute when her curling shot hit the far post.
Forward Birgit Prinz also missed at least four perfect chances to open the scoring. She failed to put the ball into the empty net after speedily breaking free and dodging the Swedish goalkeeper in the 34th minute, and squandered more opportunities to find the net in the second half.
The Germans overwhelmed the Scandinavians in the first half. In the eighth minute, playmaker Renate Lingor fired a powerful shot which was denied by goalie Hedvig Lindahl. Linda Bresonik followed up, chested the ball down, but her strike skewed just wide to the right of the net.
Sweden replenished powder after the break. In the 49th minute, captain Victoria Svensson had sight of goal after receiving a neat cross from Caroline Seger, but missed wide from inside the area.
In the 57th minute, Sweden struck twice in a crowded melee in the box but both were blocked by German defenders.
in the 82 minute Anna Paulson threatened to score with long dipping shot from the right edge of the box, but only to see Nadine Angerer make a flying save and palm it onto the top of the net.
World chanpions Germany scored only two goals in three group stage matches, conceding none.
Friday's game is a rematch of the semifinal in Athens, where Germany beat Sweden 1-0. They also faced each other in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup final, when the Germans won the title with an extra-time golden goal.
(Xinhua News Agency August 15,2008)