Women’s World Cup 2011 Third Place Match, France Vs. Sweden: Ten-Woman Blagult Get Bronze With Impressive Win

Sweden’s Josefine Oqvist was shown a straight red card in the second half of the third place match of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, but going down to ten women didn’t phase the Blagult. They’ve won the bronze after a win over France by a final score of 2-1, thanks to an absolute wonder strike by Marie Hammarstrom.

The first half was fairly even, but it was Sweden who struck first, with Lotta Schelin scoring an absolutely brilliant placed finish in the 29th minute past Berangere Sapowicz. The French keeper was injured either during that sequence or very close to it, as she was substituted off for Celine Deville due to injury in the 32nd minute. Deville had a poor game, but made no errors that led to goals as France stayed in the match despite their poor goalkeeping.

Is the third place game at the Women’s World Cup - or any tournament for that matter - meaningless? Yes, probably, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching. With neither team having anything to lose, neither team has any incentive to play negative football. This usually results in some pretty entertaining football. The third place match in the men’s 2010 World Cup was arguably the most entertaining match of the tournament, as Germany and Uruguay put on a show in a goal-fest. With the attacking talent that Sweden and France have, the same could happen in this tournament.

Expect Marie-Laure Delie and Lotta Schelin to go crazy. Expect Caroline Seger and Camile Abily to try some Xavi-esque through balls. And expect very little defending.