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Swedes gunning for France in bronze game

Having lost in the women's World Cup semi-finals, Sweden take on France on Saturday in the third-place play-off with both sides insisting they are going for bronze.

Swedes gunning for France in bronze game

Sweden went down 3-1 to Japan in Frankfurt on Wednesday, the same night France were humbled at the hands of two-time winners the USA in Moenchengladbach by an identical margin.

While Japan and the Stars and Stripes march on to Sunday’s final, the French and Swedes will clash having both already secured the two available places at the London 2012 Olympic Games by reaching the semi-finals.

After his side were dominated by Japan, Sweden coach Thomas Dennerby explained why he pulled his squad together on the pitch in Frankfurt to demand they focus on finishing their campaign with another victory.

“This third-place play-off is very important for us, it is the reason why we got back together on the pitch,” said Dennerby.

“I told the players we win and lose together, I said they have to enjoy the next match as we will be fighting for a medal in a few days. We need to recover and not be depressed.”

But the French are also determined to finish their campaign on a high with forward Gaetane Thiney insisting: “I think it’s important to show that we are the third best team in the world.”

France coach Bruno Bini said his side have done exceptionally well to reach

the play-off.

“I’m proud of my players. Life’s still beautiful because we have earned the

right to fight for third place, which is amazing when you consider nobody was talking about us two months ago.”

France had only previously played in one World Cup in 2003 where they

failed to get out of the group stages.

For Sweden, the prize is bronze and the chance to perform their dance routine — inspired by French rapper Moussier Tombola’s hit Logobitombo — one more time for their fans in Germany.

“Thomas said that we could be disappointed, but wanted us to be proud of what we have achieved here and stressed that we have to come together for the game against France,” said Sweden defender Charlotte Rohlin.

“We want to be dancing again at the final whistle, knowing that we are the

third-best team in the world.”

“I want to win that game and every single member of the team wants to win.

We are going to fight until the end,” Rohlin said.

Skipper Caroline Seger won’t be able to play Saturday’s bronze play-off against France due to an unusual calf injury but striker Lotta Schelin will play, provided her cold, which she suffered during the Japan match, doesn’t get any worse.

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RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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