Germany's shock defeat to Japan in the quarter-finals of the women's football World Cup has also cost them a place at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as they miss out behind Sweden and France.
The hosts and defending champions Germany crashed out of the World Cup when they were floored by an extra-time goal from Japan who will now meet Sweden in the semi-final in Frankfurt on Thursday.
Having won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, Germany's defeat to Japan has also cost them a ticket to the London Olympics.
Sweden's 3-1 win over Australia in their quarter-final means they join France and Japan in the last four.
The Swedes and French now qualify to compete at next year's London Olympics as the best two European teams from the women's World Cup while England, who lost to France, qualify automatically as the hosts.
However the Germany coach Silvia Neid says the Germans' absence from London could be a blessing in disguise as it will give them more time to prepare for Euro 2013 to be held by Sweden.
