Swedes share German joy

Timely goals from Hanna Marklund and Malin Moström helped Sweden join Germany in the Olympic Games women's football tournament quarter-finals, but hosts Greece are out after losing heavily to Brazil.

Swedish worry

Sweden, who had lost their opening Group E match 1-0 to Japan, needed a draw in Volos to reach the last eight as the third-placed team with the best record from the two three-team pools. But Mercy Akide gave Nigeria a 25th-minute lead, leaving the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup finalists facing an embarrassing exit.

Progress sealed

However, on the day when striker Hanna Ljungberg and defender Karolina Westberg won their 100th caps, Marklund levelled the scores with 22 minutes left. Moström then put Sweden ahead at 2-1, a result which left them top of the group on head-to-head record and goals scored. Nigeria finished second and Japan third, but both teams progressed.

Germany win again

Germany, who had started with a tournament record 8-0 win against China, continued their good form against Mexico in Athens. Petra Wimbersky's header gave the world champions a 19th-minute advantage and eleven minutes from time Birgit Prinz's tournament-leading fifth goal sealed a 2-0 victory and first place in Group F. Mexico, by avoiding a defeat as heavy as China's, took second spot but the Asian side's one point was inferior to Japan's record in finishing third in Group E and they are out.

Hosts out

The other team to be eliminated are Greece, who ended up bottom of Group G after losing 7-0 to Brazil in Patras. The Greeks had needed victory to have any chance of a top-three finish in the four-team section, but fell behind on 21 minutes to a goal from Pretihna and Cristiane doubled the lead just before the break. Grazielle and Cristiane made it 4-0 within ten minutes of the restart, and in the closing 20 minutes Swedish-based duo Marta of Umeå IK and Kopparbergs/Landvetter IF's Daniela found the target before Cristiane completed her hat-trick.

US held

However, Brazil had to settle for second place behind the United States who drew 1-1 with Australia in Thessaloniki. Kristine Lilly put the US in front midway through the first half, and while Joanne Peters equalised seven minutes from time with the first goal scored against the US in the tournament, Australia finished third.

Quarter-final lineup

All the quarter-finals are played on Friday, with Germany taking on Nigeria in Patras and Sweden meeting Australia in Volos. The US tackle Japan in Thessaloniki - with the winners encountering Germany or Nigeria in Monday's semi-finals - while Mexico face Brazil in Heraklio.