Jeglertz predicts Swede success

Umeå IK go into the first leg of the third UEFA Women's Cup final at the Råsunda stadium on Saturday confident of retaining their title against an injury-hit 1. FFC Frankfurt side.

'Fully fit'
"We've got a fully fit squad," Umeå coach Andrée Jeglertz told uefa.com. "Emma Lindqvist had a cold earlier this week, but I believe everyone will be ready, so it's looking good."

Lingor out
The same cannot be said for Frankfurt, who will be without key midfield player Renate Lingor as coach Monika Staab's injury list continues to grow. Lingor, who has been capped 86 times for Germany, is suffering from ankle ligament damage. She played a major role in Frankfurt's run to the final, scoring three goals in the semi-final against Malmö FF, and Staab conceded: "It is a huge blow for us to lose her."

Injury worries
Staab has already had to contend with the absence of long-term injury-victims Nia Künzer, Sandra Albertz and Patrizia Barucha. Reserve goalkeeper Barbara Legrand is suffering from concussion and the midfield player Pia Wunderlich is also likely to miss the first leg.

Jones return
Staab has, however, been boosted by the return of Steffi Jones from a cruciate ligament injury and the German international midfield player could play a part on Saturday. "Steffi is coming along nicely. She managed to play 45 minutes in our match against FSV Frankfurt on Tuesday," Staab said.

Fierce rivals
Saturday's meeting is the latest in a series of titanic tussles between the two sides. Frankfurt beat Umeå in the inaugural UEFA Women's Cup final in 2002 before the Swedish side gained revenge last year, defeating Frankfurt in the semi-finals then trouncing Denmark's Fortuna Hjørring 7-1 to clinch the trophy for the first time. Both sides were also well represented in Germany's FIFA Women's World Cup final victory over Sweden in California last summer, giving Umeå further incentive on Saturday.

'Raring to go'
Despite the disappointment of having to play their home leg away from the artificial turf of their Gammliavallen stadium, Jeglertz is confident Umeå will prevail. "I believe that we've got good knowledge of Frankfurt's pros and cons, but we don't look too much at our opponents," he said. "We know that we're a good team, and we know what we can do, and we won't change our way of playing depending on who we're playing. We know that we can get a good result."

Terrific form
The Swedish side have started the season in terrific form, scoring 25 times and conceding just two goals in their opening four games. That coupled with Frankfurt's injury problems might have given another side cause for concern, but coach Staab is confident Frankfurt can overcome their obstacles.

'Highly motivated'
"We are highly motivated because we desperately want to win the UEFA Cup for the second time," she said. "We know that we are up against a side with a lot of UEFA Cup experience and they too desperately want to take a good result into the return leg in Frankfurt. However, they are under more pressure than us because they need to win the competition to secure their place in Europe next season."

'Most successful'
Frankfurt manager Siegfried Dietrich added: "It is great to be back in the UEFA Cup final, especially because a win would make us the most successful side in Europe in the last three years." Umeå may have something to say about that.

Live coverage
Follow the action from the Råsunda stadium on Saturday and the second leg from Frankfurt on 5 June with uefa.com's live minute-by-minute coverage.