ATHENS, Aug 23 (AFP) - The United States are just one match away from farewelling their ageing football heroines with a gold after scoring a dramatic semi-final win over world champions Germany on Monday.
The United States upset the tournament favourites 2-1 at Heraklio Stadium in Crete, but only after the match was forced into extra time when Isabell Bohor equalised for the Germans two minutes into second half injury time.
Midfielder Kristine Lilly scored for the United States in the 33rd minute and the Americans looked to be comfortably in control until Bohor scored.
The United States appeared rattled in the first few minutes of extra time, especially when teenager Heather O'Reilly hit the post after beating German keeper Silke Rottenberg and facing an open goal from 15 yards.
But in the 99th minute the undisputed superstar of American and world women's football, Mia Hamm, stepped in to resolve matters, making an aggressive drive towards goal, then crossing sharply in and allowing O'Reilly to score.
For Hamm, Lilly, Julie Foudy and some of the other members of the 1996 gold medal winning team, Thursday's final will most likely be their last Olympic match.
Together they formed the core of one of the most successful women's football units the game has seen, with Team USA winning the 1991 and 1999 World Cup titles, as well as the silver medal in the Sydney Olympics.
But Germany has over-shaded them in recent years, making victory on Monday night even sweeter.
The other semi-final, between Brazil and Sweden, was to be played later Monday.