European success guaranteed

In 17 FIFA World Cups, no European side has ever claimed the trophy outside their own continent. On Sunday, however, either Germany or Sweden will bring the FIFA Women's World Cup back across the Atlantic.

Stunning win
The two come head-to-head to decide the fourth edition of the tournament, having both upset the odds to meet at the Home Depot Center stadium in Carson, California at 19:00 CET. Germany produced a stunning last-four win against hosts and holders the United States, while Sweden had to beat the African, Asian and South American champions on their way to their first World Cup final.

Tough start
Sweden, with their young forward line of Victoria Svensson and Hanna Ljungberg, could not have had a tougher start against the US, and duly lost 3-1. But Svensson's early goal beat the highly rated Democratic People's Republic of Korea 1-0, and two second-half Ljungberg efforts clinched a 3-0 win against Nigeria.

Emotional triumph
Many predicted that Brazil - 4-1 conquerors of 1995 winners Norway - would prove too much for Sweden in the last eight; instead they earned a fully deserved 2-1 victory. Next came Canada who had shocked China and seemed to be on their way to a similar upset until Malin Moström and substitute Josefine Öqvist scored in the last eleven minutes to secure an emotional 2-1 comeback triumph. Ljungberg admitted afterwards: "This was my most fantastic game."

Goalscoring feats
Germany, however, will start as favourites. They beat Sweden in the finals of the 1995 and 2001 UEFA European Championships, and have produced a spectacular run in the US. Canada were beaten 4-1 in the opening group game, and with a 3-0 victory against Japan, Germany were through with a game to spare - where for good measure they cruised past Argentina 6-1.

'Best game ever'
There was more to come in the quarter-finals, where Russia were blown away 7-1 to set up the showdown with the US in Portland. In what US coach April Heinrichs called "the best game ever played in women's football", Garefrekes's 15th-minute header was followed in added time by efforts from Maren Meinert and Birgit Prinz - the latter's tournament-best seventh goal - to set up a second World Cup final appearance. Germany lost previously to Norway in Sweden eight years ago.

Swedish tactics
However, Sweden are not prepared to let the underdogs' tag trouble them, not least as those two European final defeats by Germany were both on German soil. Coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors said: "We are going to have to use our speed and our skills to keep them from pushing too far up on us while we also get in behind them to attack." Moström agreed, saying: "We will need to play very aggressively against Germany."

'Totally focused'
But it is Germany, who only need two goals to equal the record total of 25 for a World Cup finals, who must feel that destiny is awaiting in the Sunday afternoon heat. Coach Tina Theune-Meyer said: "The team is totally focused and we are determined to win the title; they do not need any extra motivation." She has respect for Sweden, though. "Sweden are like us, packed with footballing quality," she said.

President plumps for women

Appropriate landmark
Whatever the result, history will be made on two fronts. Not only will a World Cup finally come to Europe from another continent, but either Domanski-Lyfors or Theune-Meyer will become the first female coach to win the Women's World Cup. An appropriate landmark for a tournament that has taken giant steps in all four of its editions.