ANNA Sharkey’s Paralympic goalball dream ended this afternoon as Great Britain were knocked out on a golden goal by Sweden.
Sharkey had put GB in front in their quarter-final tie but Malin Gustavsson equalised for Sweden and forced overtime before she netted the winning goal seconds into the first period of extra time.
Sharkey made an important goal-line save in the second minute after Malin Gustavsson’s throw from the left came off Georgina Bullen in the second minute.
But that was the closest either team came to scoring in a cagey first half where defences were on top.
A Jessica Luke delivery caused problems for the Swedes a minute into the second half but Gustavsson eventually dealt with the danger.
In the 15th minute Sharkey blocked a Jalmestal throw with her arms and the ball went just wide of the right upright and out.
And the Westcliff player was back in action a minute later when she was penalised for a high ball.
But she superbly blocked Jalmestal’s penalty with her legs before opening the scoring seconds later.
The Southend Hospital physiotherapist’s throw down the right went in off Gustavsson and into the right-hand side of the Swedish goal.
The crowd cheered wildly as the sensed GB were on their way to booking their place in the semi-finals.
But Gustavsson restored parity with a throw from the right which went into the centre of the GB goal off Bullen’s legs in the 17th minute.
Luke nearly handed GB the lead again two minutes later when Gustavsson pushed the ball onto the right post but it went harmlessly out.
But that was the closest either side came to settling the affair in the 24 minutes of normal time, so the match moved into overtime.
However, GB’s dream of a semi-final place were dashed seconds into the first period when Gustavsson scored the golden goal.
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