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Pia Sundhage looks to lead Sweden in tough test vs. Germany in gold medal match

Related Topics: Pia Sundhage, Sweden, Germany

RIO DE JANEIRO — Pia Sundhage might be the most intriguing coach at these Olympics, and not just because she has led her native Sweden on a stunning run to Friday’s women’s Olympic soccer final against Germany (4:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN). On Wednesday, Sundhage went viral on Twitter when a reporter resurrected her famous 2014 quote when she was asked if she could coach a men’s soccer team.

“Well, Angela Merkel runs a whole f---ing country.”

It was Pure Pia: Direct, funny and smart, to say nothing of a little bawdy. Sundhage, 56, has been nothing if not colorful during her 41 years in the game as an elite player and coach.