RIO DE JANEIRO • Germany's winning its first women's football gold was the perfect way for coach Silvia Neid to step down after a distinguished career with the team, first as a player and then from the bench.
The Germans beat Sweden 2-1 in the final on Friday and she said that, while the Olympic title was a new summit for women's football in her country, it was now time for her to try something different.
"I really don't have words to describe this, it doesn't matter if it's the World Cup or the Euros or the Olympics, this is what you have earned through your hard work of weeks and months," she said.
"It's really crazy when you get to the end. When you have finally reached your goal, it is pure joy."
The victory in Rio's Maracana stadium follows a 2007 World Cup win, an Olympic bronze in 2008 and two European titles in 2009 and 2013 for the German women during Neid's reign.
She can also claim a World Cup win in 2003 as assistant coach.
"This is something completely new, this is definitely a new summit," said Neid, 52, who will hand over the team to assistant Steffi Jones and head the national sides' scouting department.
Dzsenifer Marozsan's sweet strike and Lisa Sembrant's comical own goal put Germany 2-0 up early in the second half, before Stina Blackstenius gave Sweden a lifeline.
Sweden coach Pia Sundhage missed out on a third consecutive Olympic title after leading the United States to gold in 2008 and 2012.
Canada beat hosts Brazil 2-1 in Sao Paulo earlier on Friday to claim bronze.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE