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Norwegians into Olympic women's football final after German blooper

From Sports Illustrated • SI Images: Photos from the Games • Tim Layden: Miller close to 200 decision • Richard Hoffer: Media avoids collusion with boxing • Grant Wahl: U.S. soccer women "set" for success • Jack McCallum: All in the family • Medal Picks: SI's Predictions More Features • Wake-up Call: Tracking the day in sports • Viewers' Guide: What to watch for • Quiz: Today's Tester Athletes • Just Checking In: U.S. softball pitcher Michele Smith • Fashion Report: Miki Barber -- Very hip, very trendy • Just Checking In: U.S. swim assistant Jack Bauerle • Athlete Bios: U.S. Rosters Multimedia • Photo Gallery: Shots of the Day • Photo Gallery: Racing in the rain • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Video and More

SYDNEY, Sept 24 (AFP) - Norway defeated Germany 1-0 courtesy of a horrendous own goal by Tina Wunderlich to earn a place in the final of the Olympic women's football tournament here Sunday.

Under no pressure the centre-back sent a looping header over her onrushing goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg in the 80th minute just as this tense affair looked destined for extra-time.

Wunderlich appeared not to hear her team-mate's call and the Norwegians had found the net and a gold medal clash with the United States in the most innocous manner.

In truth it was probably the only way in which the 1995 world champions would have scored so poor were they in attack.

Germany made most of the early running in a poor opening half but lacked the neccessary composure in front of goal.

Ariane Hinst found herself in considerable space in Norway's penalty area in the 15th minute but inexplicably hammered the ball towards the far corner flag.

Then Maren Meinert screwed her effort wide, when well positioned before Inka Grings' fierce free-kick was well parried by Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby.

Grings had the best chance of the half in the 39th minute but pulled her shot just wide of the post after pouncing on a mistake by Kristin Bekkevold.

Norway - bronze medallists in 1996 - began to come into the game in the latter end of the first period and Brit Sandaune volleyed narrowly over the bar after 38 minutes.

Then a surging run from Solveig Gulbrandsen ended in similar fashion.

The second-half was even more tedious than the first and neither side created a clear opportunity until Wunderlich's moment of madness.

That sparked Germany into life and they were inches away from equalising immediately when Bettina Wiegman shot just wide.

In the dying seconds Steffi Jones headed their last chance agonisingly wide to leave Wunderlich in tears at the final whistle.

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