Group 1: Umeå on form

Umeå IK made a fine start to their campaign to reach a second consecutive UEFA Women's Cup final as they comfortably won Group 1.

Sparta show form
The Swedish group hosts faced tough competition from Czech representatives AC Sparta Praha, and the two favourites both made good starts. Sparta began their campaign with a 6-0 victory against Estonians TKSK Visa Tallinn, Katerina Doskova giving them an early 2-0 lead, with the win sealed after the break by two goals from American Regina Holan and one each for Eva Knavova and 17-year-old Alexandra Mouchova.

Four for Ljungberg
Hanna Ljungberg - who was suspended for the 2001/02 final - was the star for Umeå as they outdid Sparta with a 7-0 win against KÍ Klaksvík of the Faroe Islands. Ljungberg scored four goals, two in each half, to ensure a dream start for Umeå. Lotta Runesson had added the third ten minutes before the break and Emma Lindqvist claimed two second-half goals to complete the victory.

Contenders on course
Sparta and Umeå then set up a final day decider with further 4-0 victories. Umeå overcame Tallinn thanks to Maria Nordbrandt, Linda Dahlqvist, Ljungberg and an own goal, while Sparta beat KÍ with another Holan double and further strikes from Doskova and Knanova.

Umeå too strong