SINSHEIM: Sweden finished third at the women’s World Cup after beating France 2-1 in Saturday’s play-off despite finishing the game with 10 players.
Sweden striker Lotta Schelin put her side ahead in the first half only for French replacement Elodie Thomis to equalise on 56 minutes before Swedish striker Josefine Oqvist was sent off on 68 minutes.
But in the dramatic closing stages, substitute midfielder Marie Hammarstrom won the game—and the bronze medal—for Sweden with a superb strike in the 82nd minute.
“I wasn’t thinking of my friends in Lyon, just my friends in Sweden,” said striker Schelin, who plays for Olympique Lyon in France.
“I am so happy about what we have achieved. It is a good team and we work for each other.
Both teams had already secured the two available European places at the 2012 Olympic Games in London by reaching the semi-finals.
“It ends with two losses, but the team played with great heart,” said France coach Bruno Bini.
“We tried to get back in the game, but sometimes things don’t go your way. At least we have qualified for the Olympics.”
Sweden’s 3-1 defeat to Japan in Frankfurt on Wednesday and France’s 3-1 loss to the USA in Moenchengladbach the same day brought the teams to the play-off. (Agencies)