Pia Sundhage One Win Away from Completing Her Golden Master Plan

Pia Sundhage, if you are a keen follower of the women's game, needs no introduction, she is now just one game away from winning gold at the Olympics for the third consecutive games.

If you are just dipping your toes into the WoSo world, let's have a quick recap.

The 56-year-old spent most of her playing career as a forward but was also capable in midfield and as an old-fashioned sweeper. She played 146 times for Sweden, scoring 71 goals. The Ulricehamn-native played at two FIFA World Cups and the first-ever women's football tournament at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

She's managed in her homeland and the United States. As a coach, she won two Olympic gold medals with the USA in 2008 and 2012—there is not much she hasn't seen or done in the women's game.

On Friday, she will have a chance to lift her third gold as Sweden take on Germany at the Maracana Stadium.

She is a bit of a marmite character, though; most people love her. Outspoken, brash, a bit off-the-wall, there is a lot to adore. However, some take her the wrong way and her tactics at this Olympics have split opinions, excellently summed up by journalist Ann Odong on Twitter.

Even in Sweden, although delighted with a place in their first Olympic final, it is possibly a surprise to some that Sundhage managed to hold on to her job for so long. That in itself shows the level of respect she commands.

Last summer, as Sweden were on the verge of elimination from the FIFA World Cup, a journalist asked, according to the Sunday Morning Herald, if she would resign if Sweden were knockout out.

Her response was typical Sundhage: "I think that is a stupid question," she said.

They had drawn against Nigeria and the USA, and a defeat to Australia would have seen them unthinkably dumped out of the tournament.

They would pick up another draw, setting up a round-of-16 fixture against Friday's opponents, Germany. Sweden would lose 4-1, and the Scandinavians' World Cup was one to forget.

It was a surprise that they managed to pick themselves up to win the four-team tournament that saw them qualify for this Olympics.

Optimism wasn't high going into the Rio games, and after two group matches, even that had dropped lower.

Unconvincing against South Africa and then a 5-1 defeat to Brazil. Once again, the Swedes were on the verge of an early exit.

Using all their experience and know-how, Sweden played out a 0-0 draw with China and secured a place as a best third-placed team—just like at the World Cup. Not the sort of route the Swedish were used to taking.

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It handed Sundhage a chance to reunite with a whole host of players she used to coach as Sweden were drawn against the USA in the quarter-finals.

With the way both teams had been playing, the Americans were heavy favourites. Sundhage knew that all too well.

There seemed to have been a realisation from the Swedish boss that they no longer have the legs or the power to take the game to the best teams in the women's game, so she looked to play to their strengths.

It's safe to say, she parked the bus. It may be negative, and it may not be attractive, but it worked.

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They played tight, frustrated the U.S. and hit on the break. Scoring through Stina Blackstenius, holding on for penalties and relying on the excellence of goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl to save Alex Morgan's spot-kick. Cristian Press shot over and Lisa Dahlkvist fired them in the semi-finals.

You never change a winning side, and Sundhage and Sweden did the exact same to Brazil and are now one win away from their first Olympic gold medal.

Pia's appearance in the final has given USA striker Morgan some mixed feelings, speaking to USA Today.

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It’s difficult because, obviously, us being knocked out by Sweden leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, but Pia gave me my first shot with the U.S. team.

I don’t know if I’m necessarily happy that Sweden is in the final, but I feel like for Pia (being) our ex-coach, leaving on good terms with her, it’s probably a best-case scenario.

"

Morgan's team-mate, Hope Solo, called Sweden "cowards" after the penalty shootout, to which the Swedish coach gave the perfect response. The Orlando Pride striker was more diplomatic in her view:

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When you see two attacking teams and a lot of counter-attacking and transition, that’s an exciting game for the fans. When you see someone kind of park the bus and sit in and value defence a lot more and have such a difference in possessions and shots between the two teams, I think for fans that’s not always the most exciting game to watch. I think it draws criticism from fans and obviously it draws frustration from the opponents.

"

Solo's comments had come from a place of frustration, but regardless of what you think of it, Sundhage is not going to change her plan going into the final.

Germany will start as favourites. They haven't been playing great football at the tournament, but through the leadership of Melanie Behringer—scoring five goals—the Germans have grown into the tournament.

They have taken the game to most of their opponents, only finding a problem when it comes to putting the ball in the net.

Improving with each game, they played well to beat Canada 2-0 on Tuesday, something that centre-back Saskia Bartusiak—who picked up her 100th cap against Canada—told FIFA.com that they expected:

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We’ve become closer as a squad. Although we had a bit of a bumpy ride in the group stages, we kept believing in ourselves and addressed a few things. We always knew what we had in us and what we were capable of, and we’ve shown that much better in the knockout phase.

"

For Sweden to turn a poor group stage into a guaranteed medal, they have Sundhage to thank for the change of tactics, but they have to give credit to their defence.

They have improved in their organisation and understanding, and so much of that is down to Chelsea's goalkeeper Lindahl, but she was quick to praise the team in front of her, via FIFA.com:

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I’m delighted that Pia has put her faith in me, and that confidence is crucial to our tactic of inviting opposing sides on and then hitting them on the counter-attack. It’s all down to the whole team, though. To play that way, we have to know exactly what we’re about. I think today you have to give credit to our defence, who cut out an awful lot of crosses.

"

Friday’s final might not be pleasing on the eye, but it will be a tactical masterclass. Sweden will look to keep the game tight and hit on the break. They will let Germany have the ball and invite pressure, and it will be up to Silvia Neid’s team to break them down.

The USA failed, Brazil were likewise, now it’s time for the Germans to try to unravel the Pia Sundhage master plan.