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Rediff.com  » Sports » Women's Euro: Look! They can bend it like Beckham!
This article was first published 11 years ago

Women's Euro: Look! They can bend it like Beckham!

Last updated on: July 26, 2013 15:20 IST

Image: Lotta Schelin (8) of Sweden and Annike Krahn (back) of Germany battle for the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 semi final match
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

Soccer's popularity knows no bounds. It is used as one of the popular methods to unify people.

And when women take over the field, there has to be fireworks.

In the ongoing women's European Football Championship in Sweden, these women are making heads turn for the right reasons.

Defending champions Germany withstood a staggering assault by hosts Sweden to secure a narrow 1-0 win and advance to the final, where they will face Norway.

Norway reach final by beating Denmark on penalties

Image: Team members of Norway celebrate after winning the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 semifinal match
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

Norway beat Nordic neighbours Denmark 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their semi-final on Thursday.

Norway stunned the Danes by scoring from the first corner of the game in Norrkoping, Ingvild Stensland's pass into the box brushed off Marit Christensen and ended up in the back of the net after just three minutes.

Denmark gained upper hand

Image: Ingvild Isaksen (left) of Norway and Katrine Veje of Denmark battle for the ball
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

But Denmark, who only made the knockout round at the expense of Russia after a drawing of lots with the two countries having finished the group stage level on two points, gradually gained the upper hand in a tight game.

Despite Denmark's burgeoning dominance, Norway countered quickly when given the chance and Ada Hegerberg shaved the top of the crossbar on the half-hour mark.

Mariann Knudsen snatched an equaliser

Image: Marianne Knudsen (centre) of Denmark heads her team's equalizing goal
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

The Danes enjoyed long periods of possession in the second half but with the Norwegian defence funnelling most of their attacks infield, the Danes had difficulty turning that into chances.

Norway looked to be heading for the final until Denmark snatched an equaliser in the 87th minute, Mariann Knudsen heading in Pernille Harder's flick-on from a free kick.

Ingrid Hjelmseth was the hero for Norway

Image: Ingrid Hjelmseth (centre), goalkeeper of Norway celebrate with her teammates
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

That goal was enough to send the game to extra-time but despite dominating throughout, Denmark failed to fashion a winner, which cost them dearly as the game went to penalties.

Goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth was the hero for Norway, saving Denmark's first two spot-kicks from Line Roddik and Theresa Nielsen. All four of Norway's efforts were successful, with Trine Ronning taking the final kick to put them into the final.

Germany reach final

Image: Lena Goessling (centre) of Germany celebrate with her teammates while Caroline Seger of Sweden looks dejected
Photographs: Martin Rose/Getty Images

Germany beat hosts Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg on Wednesday to book their place in the final, which will be played at the Friends Arena in Stockholm on Sunday.