So close to the final but they just missed out: The Germany Women have lost 1-0 to the USA in the semi-finals of the Olympic football tournament in France. It took until extra time for the Americans to get the winner through a Sophia Smith strike (95'). Horst Hrubesch's side will now face world champions Spain, who lost to Brazil in the second semi-final.
Schüller sidelined with tendonitis
The day of the semi-final match got off to the worst possible start for the DFB team: an hour after it was announced that Alexandra Popp would be unable to play, the bad news came that Germany's top scorer and FCB player Lea Schüller would also be ruled out due to inflammation of her patella tendon. This meant that Bayern defender Giulia Gwinn led the team out as captain. Klara Bühl and Sydney Lohmann were also in the starting XI.
Impressive performance
Germany had been beaten 4-1 by the USA in their group game, but on Tuesday evening the DFB team put in an exceptional shift. Germany coach Hrubesch was happy with his side's defensive performance, the way they pressed the opposition and their good attacking play over the 90 minutes in his penultimate game in charge, and the FCB players also did a good job. In extra time, however, it was the USWNT who took the lead thanks to a good move, a moment of indecision by the German defence and a bit of luck. Germany did have the chance to equalise in the last minute, but US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made the save for her team..
Bronze medal match against the world champions
Their opponents in the third place play-off will be the world champions from Spain. Brazil ran out surprisingly comfortable 4-2 (2-0) winners against the team featuring Ballon d'Or recipients Atiana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas. The bronze medal match will take place on Friday, 9 August at 15:00 CEST in Lyon, while the gold medal match will be played on Saturday, 10 August at 17:00 in Paris.
FCB Women have signed Julia Zigiotti Olme:
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