Frankfurt retain hope

Influential Marta
Frankfurt could not handle the Brazilian brilliance of Marta at the Råsunda Stadion, the forward scoring in the 16th and 58th minutes and creating the second for Frida Östberg four minutes after half-time. However, the German champions have not yet abandoned hope of repeating their success of 2002 in this competition.

Staab call
"Nothing went our way," said Frankfurt coach Monika Staab, "but everything did for Umeå. If we improve and play more aggressively in midfield, cut out the poor passing, concentrate for the full 90 minutes and score an early goal then we might just be able to cause a sensation. The fans will be important, too."

Superb Marklund
That may be a lot to ask, but Frankfurt hope to welcome back German international Renate Lingor to add some spice to a midfield which was outclassed and overrun by Östberg and Umeå captain Malin Moström. Birgit Prinz, Frankfurt's spearhead, will also need to be more involved having been shackled superbly by Hanna Marklund.

Östberg strike
Östberg, who scored the goal of the game in the 49th minute, drilling a superb effort into the top corner from range following a one-two with Marta - "I was shocked to see it go in, but obviously it delighted me" - refused to accept that the trophy was won.

Well prepared
"Frankfurt are a very good side who are well capable of scoring three goals in the second leg," she said. "We were mentally and physically prepared and that showed as we played one of our best matches. Beating one of Europe's top sides 3-0 says everything about our performance."

'Healthy advantage'
Victorious coach Andrée Jeglertz felt the success was a triumph of planning and discipline. "We played a very good game," he said. "We had a plan and we stuck to it. This gives us a healthy advantage, although we will be even more focused then on clinching the crown."

Noisy crowd
Despite the first leg being switched from Umeå's Gammliavallen home to Stockholm, 700km south, due to Frankfurt's concerns about playing on an artificial pitch, the home side were backed by a noisy crowd at the Råsunda Stadion. Frankfurt general manager Siegfried Dietrich believes his side's fans will also have a part to play in the second leg.

Retaining hope
"The match will be a special event," he said. "The crowd will be offered top-level football. We are proud to play against such a strong side but who knows? If our injured players return we can still do it. We'll certainly be trying anyway."