Sweden survive Germany surge to reach final

Sweden will take on the United States in Wednesday's Algarve Cup final after defeating world and European champions Germany 3-2 in an exciting Group A decider. Finland ended bottom of that pool following a 1-0 loss to China, while second place in Group B went to Denmark after they overcame Iceland 2-0. The sixth of the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finalists taking part in Portugal, Norway, suffered a third defeat at the hands of the US. uefa.com rounds up Monday's action.

Group A
Germany 2-3 Sweden
Sweden withstood a second-half onslaught to reach their first Algarve Cup final since winning the trophy in 2001 and ended a run of six straight losses to Germany. Needing victory to overtake Germany at the top of the table, Sweden took the lead on 27 minutes when Nilla Fischer finished off a fine team move. Germany pushed forward, but that allowed space for Lotta Schelin to make it 2-0 in the 36th minute after a fast break. Two minutes later Schelin, who missed the 0-0 draw with China and 1-0 defeat of Finland with wisdom tooth pain, scored again following another counterattack.

Germany were three down until the 77th minute before Inka Grings reduced arrears as she pounced on a long ball, and Kim Kulig's volley ensured a nervous finish. Germany came close to an equaliser but will play Denmark for third place on Wednesday. Sweden captain Victoria Svensson, who equalled Kristin Bengtsson's national record of 157 caps, said: "Our first half was great, the other OK too. It was good to make a breakthrough against Germany." Their opponents in the final are coached by Sweden legend Pia Sundhage.

Finland 0-1 China
UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ hosts Finland, without first-choice goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela due to a dead leg having already lost striker Laura Österberg-Kalmari to injury earlier in the tournament, slipped to a third group defeat. Nina Hietanen went close twice after the break but Bi Yan decided a tight game with a short from the edge of the box 17 minutes from time. Finland coach Michael Käld, whose team go into the seventh-place play-off against hosts Portugal, who won Group C, said: "Had we got the opening goal I think more would have followed. We controlled the game."

Group B
Denmark 2-0 Iceland
Denmark will be Germany's opponents in the third-place match after getting the better of Iceland, who will meet China for fifth position on Wednesday. With Tina Rasmussen making her senior international debut at the age of 29, Denmark knew they had to win to overtake Iceland for second place, with the US having already assured top spot. Nadia Nadim make Denmark's early dominance count with her first international goal on only her first appearance. Christina Ørntoft struck the second on the counterattack in the 66th minute, also her first goal at this level. Rasmussen said: "I could have played a little better but I'll just get used to the fact that our national team does not play as directly as we do at Skovbakken [IK]. But it was cool to be part of the win."

Norway 0-1 United States
Norway already knew they would finish fourth and ended the group without a point. Megan Rapinoe's 21st-minute goal secured a third victory for the US, who are yet to concede as they aim to win the competition three years running, just as they did between 2003 and 2005 before losing the following final on penalties to Germany. Norway will hope to break their run of four straight losses in 2009 when they take on Austria, runners-up in Group C, for ninth place.