By David Gold
July 11 – Germany will not be in attendance at the London 2012 Olympic football tournament after the women’s World Cup favourites suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Japan in the quarter finals in Wolfsburg.
France and Sweden will head for London as the European qualifiers instead after both made the semi-finals of the competition, where they face the United States and Japan respectively.
Holders Germany were expected to win the tournament on home soil having claimed both the 2003 and 2007 titles, but Karina Maruyama struck a surprise winner in extra-time of their quarter final to win the game 1-0.
They came through their group easily with a 100 per cent record, having defeated Nigeria, Canada and, ironically, France, whom they beat 4-2.
Yet the French are in the 2012 tournament after defeating England 4-3 on penalties in their quarter-final in Leverkusen.
Sweden’s place in the last four never seemed in doubt in their quarter-final with Australia, whom they beat 3-1 in Augsburg.
They now face the US, who beat Brazil – already qualified for London 2012 via the 2010 Women’s Sudamericano – on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw, including a last minute equaliser for the Americans in extra time from Abby Wambach.
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