Contenders in form, Wolfsburg sign Simic
Monday, December 22, 2014
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The quarter-finalists have ended their domestic fixtures for the year, and UEFA.com looks at their form, with news of signings for VfL Wolfsburg and Glasgow City LFC.
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The eight UEFA Women's Champions League contenders have finished their fixtures for 2014 and in several cases do not kick off again until the quarter-finals begin in late March. UEFA.com rounds up their domestic form and winter transfer activity.
Quarter-final draw (21/22 & 28/29 March)
1. FFC Frankfurt (GER) v Bristol Academy WFC (ENG)
VfL Wolfsburg (GER, holders) v FC Rosengård (SWE)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Linköpings FC (SWE) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Semi-final draw (18/19 & 25/26 April)
Wolfsburg/Rosengård v Glasgow/Paris
Frankfurt/Bristol v Linköping/Brøndby
Final (Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, Berlin): 18.00CET, 14 May
Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1
UEFA.COM HAS THE LATEST RESULTS AND STANDINGS FROM EUROPEAN TOP DIVISIONS
1. FFC Frankfurt (GER)
It was a mixed end to the league year for Frankfurt with consecutive losses to leaders Wolfsburg and FC Bayern München before a 4-0 win at MSV Duisburg, leaving them in fourth, seven points off top spot. Still, on Sunday they ended the year with a 3-1 German Cup quarter-final defeat of Bayern, including two goals for the holders from Kerstin Garefrekes, who lies joint second in the Frauen Bundesliga scoring table below club-mate Célia Šašić.
Like most of their league rivals, Frankfurt's next action is in the 21st and final edition of the annual DFB Indoor Cup on 17 January in Magdeburg, and their league bid resumes with the visit of third-placed 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam on 15 February.
Bristol Academy WFC (ENG)
Although they have reached their first European quarter-final, Bristol finished seventh out of eight teams in England in 2014 and several key players have already left. Natalia and Jemma Rose have both gone to Arsenal LFC while Natasha Harding is joining Washington Spirit in the United States. Midfielder Sophie Ingle, however, has agreed a new contract ahead of the 2015 season.
VfL Wolfsburg (GER, holders)
At the end of a year where they retained their European and German titles, Wolfsburg are top of the Frauen Bundesliga and unbeaten, winning their last nine games of the year. They had kept nine clean sheets in a row before Saturday's 2-1 cup quarter-final defeat of SC Sand, Martina Müller winning that game three minutes from the end of extra time.
There was a further boost last week with the signing of 25-year-old midfielder Julia Simic from Potsdam on a contract until 2017. "With Julia Simic we have added a goalscoring midfielder," said coach Ralf Kellermann. "It is a clear gain for us, especially given that the second half of the season brings much tougher games."
FC Rosengård (SWE)
The Swedish close season is a long one but the reigning champions have already showed their hand by securing Brazil forward Marta on a new three-year deal and signing defender Emma Berglund from Umeå IK. Meanwhile, German midfielder Katrin Schmidt has left the club for Hammarby IF and Elin Rubensson departed for Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC with teenager forward Nicoline Sørensen also gone.
Glasgow City FC (SCO)
Like Rosengård, Glasgow ended 2014 as champions again and have dipped into the transfer market ahead of their maiden quarter-final. Scotland forward Hayley Lauder has arrived from Sweden's Vittsjö GIK and goalkeeper Megan Cunningham signed from Hamilton Academical WFC. Republic of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan, club and league player of the year, has agreed a new two-year contract.
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA).
Paris ended the year on a seven-match winning run, starting with a 1-0 victory at Olympique Lyonnais that took the capital side past their rivals in the UEFA Women's Champions League round of 16, and ended on Sunday as they defeated Montpellier Hérault SC 2-1. However, they are three points adrift of Lyon, who have a 100% record and inflicted Paris's sole defeat in November, a week before their European encounter.
Linköpings FC (SWE)
Needing to win this competition to return in 2015/16 after finishing fourth in the Damallsvenskan, Linköping have added goalkeeper Wendy Andersson from Älta IF. Departing the club are keeper Hilde Gunn Olsen, defender Jennie Nordin, midfielder Jéssica Silva and striker Linda Sällström.
Brøndby IF (DEN)
Brøndby ended 2014 in fine form, winning their last six league games and opening up a five-point lead over Fortuna Hjørring ahead of the winter break, which runs until mid-March. They are also in the semi-finals of the Danish Cup, which they are looking to win for the sixth year in a row.
Reserve goalkeeper Cecilie Breil Kramer, who played in the round of 16 away second leg against Gintra Universitetas, has joined Vittsjö but 17-year-old forward Nicoline Sørensen has arrived from Rosengård, though she is cup-tied for this competition.