Carson, CA - A new queen of women's soccer has been crowned.

Nia Kuenzer's golden goal sent Germany to its first-ever World Cup
title Sunday at the Home Depot Center in a 2-1 triumph over Sweden.

Renate Lingor played a free-kick into the area and Kuenzer, who came
on as a sub in the 88th minute, was there for the perfect header
finish and the golden goal.

Hanna Ljungberg opened the scoring for Sweden, while Maren Meinert
equalized the match a minute into the second half.

The win looked certain for the Germans as they outplayed Sweden,
tallying 24 corner kicks.

Grit and a little bit of luck kept Sweden in the match until the back-
breaking game-winner that came eight minutes in to the first extra-
time period.

Germany knocked off the U.S. to reach the final, while Sweden edge
Canada last Sunday to set up this thrilling match.

Kuenzer was the unlikely heroine as she played less than 70 minutes
in Germany's six matches.

The lethal USA 2003 combination of Ljungberg and Victoria Svensson,
as they have all tournament, came through just before halftime to
give Sweden a 1-0 lead.

After failing to convert many opportunities, Ljungberg slipped behind
the German defense and sent a right-footed kick into the near corner
of the net. Svensson fed the forward a great pass and she came
through with the finish.

It was Ljungberg's third goal of the tournament and Svensson's third
assist.

Germany wasted little time bringing the match level in the second
half.

Meinert, one of the best all-around players in the world, came
through with a goal off a rolling ball from Birgit Prinz within the
first minute of the second half. Sweden 'keeper Caroline Joensson
came off her line and had no chance to stop Meinert's shot.

It was Meinert's fourth goal of the tournament and Prinz's fifth
assist.

Chaos ensued in the 57th minute inside the Sweden area. Germany's
Kerstin Garefrekes was taken down in the penalty area, but the
officials said to play on.

The ball came out to Bettina Wiegmann, who had a great look on goal,
but her shot was saved by Joensson.

Germany continued to apply the pressure in the second half with well-
placed corners and crisp passing. In the 60th minute, Ariane Hingst
played a header, but Joensson was there to bat it away before Prinz
followed with another shot that was knocked out of bounds.

Meinert nearly put the Germans ahead in the 74th minute. The
midfielder got great position inside the area on a free kick and
fired a shot that Joensson just got her fingertips on to knock it
over the bar and into the stands.

The high humidity in southern California may have worn down Sweden in
the latter stages of the second half and into extra time.

However, Sweden got a second wind 10 minutes from half.

Ljungberg should have put the Swedes ahead but she bumbled a cross
from Svensson deep inside the area, completely missing a wide open
net.

Both teams had their chances late in regulation, but neither could
come through with the game-winner.

Despite Germany's high-octane offense, defense dominated the match
early. Neither team fired a shot through the first 24 minutes.

Possession may have favored the Germans early, but Sweden looked the
better on the attack. Svensson, who came in as the team's leading
goalscorer for the tournament, fired the first shot in the 25th
minute. Her attempt from just outside the area, rolled wide.

MATCH NOTES: Germany lost to Norway in the 1995 final, 2-0...The two
met in the European championships in 2001 with Germany winning, 1-0
on a golden goal.