Sweden finished third at the Women’s World Cup after beating France 2-1 in the playoff, despite finishing the game with 10 players.
Sweden striker Lotta Schelin put her side ahead in the first half, only for Elodie Thomis to equalise. Substitute Marie Hammarstrom won the game, and the bronze medal, for Sweden with a superb strike in the 82nd minute.
Both teams had already secured the two available European places at the 2012 Olympic Games in London by reaching the semi-finals.
“Our campaign ends with two losses, but the team played with great heart,” said France coach Bruno Bini.
Sweden’s 3-1 defeat to Japan in Frankfurt and France’s 3-1 loss to the US in Moenchengladbach brought the teams to the play-off.
The Swedes took the lead when a pass by defender Sara Larsson from inside her own half found Schelin and the striker chipped her shot past French goal-keeper Berangere Sapowicz on 29 minutes.
To add insult to injury, Sapowicz was stretchered off after landing on her right ankle which, replayed showed, buckled underneath her.
France got back on level terms when winger Gaetane Thiney set up substitute Elodie Thomis on 56 minutes.
Sweden were then reduced to 10 players when Josefine Oqvist was shown a red card for lashing out, but the Scandinavians dug deep for the winning goal.
From a corner, the ball was headed away to Hammarstrom, who controlled the ball with her chest and unleashed a fierce drive, which gave substitute goal-keeper Celine Deville no chance.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2011.
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