Final joy for Frankfurt

23 May 2002

1. FFC Frankfurt completed the second leg of what promises to be an unprecedented treble by defeating Umeå IK 2-0 in the inaugural UEFA Women's Cup final at the Waldstadion tonight.

Unbeaten runs
With the German champions having not tasted defeat since June last year and their Swedish counterparts entering the game on the back of a 54-match streak without losing, something had to give in Frankfurt. In the end it was Umeå's two-year unbeaten run as second-half headed goals from Steffie Jones and Birgit Prinz ensured Frankfurt made it two wins out of two in knockout competitions with the German Cup long secured.

All-conquering Frankfurt
Monika Staab's all-conquering outfit are also eleven points clear in the 1. Bundesliga and appear certain to cap a momentous season with another German championship triumph. The goals had particular resonance for Jones and Prinz, Frankfurt's leading lights, as both were determined to bow out on a high prior to moving to the Women's United Soccer Association.

Key players missing
The heart of Richard Holmlund's side had been ripped out with injuries to Tina Nordlund - arguably Sweden's finest player - Madeline Göras and Frida Östberg, while Hanna Ljungberg, Umeå's talismanic striker, picked up one yellow card too many in the second leg of the semi-final victory against HJK Helsinki. The absence of Ljungberg was particularly noticeable as the tall Frankfurt defence absorbed much of what Umeå threw at them, which, in fairness, was little.

Excellent footwork
Nevertheless, Umeå did create two fine openings in the first half from which they could have registered an opening goal. In the 19th minute Anna Sjöström displayed excellent footwork to skip past two Frankfurt defenders before letting fly with a rasping shot which flew narrowly wide of Marleen Wissink's left-hand post. Wissink was beaten in the 36th minute, however, but Hanna Marklund headed over from six metres after being found free in the centre of goal from a fine header back from a dangerous in-swinging corner.

Goal gaping
Frankfurt had signalled their intent as early as the third minute when Jones forced a save from Umeå goalkeeper Sofia Lundgren, diving low to her right, with a powerful header after being found in space at the far post by a Renate Lingor free-kick. Lingor started the game brightly and was at the hub of much of her side's play but she could only look to the heavens after squandering a gilt-edged opening in the 15th minute. Prinz had shown great strength to outstrip a defender before rounding Lundgren and squaring the ball for Lingor who, inexplicably, hit it over with the goal gaping from five metres.

Defended deeply
Umeå, who only named three substitutes, one of whom was a goalkeeper, set the their stall out to defend after the break and they increasingly got players behind the ball in an attempt to frustrate Frankfurt. The tactic paid dividends initially as Frankfurt were reduced to shooting from range, particularly Prinz who worked tirelessly to create an opening for herself without ever quite finding one.

Frankfurt rewarded
As the half wore on, however, Umeå began to tire and Frankfurt, with the 29-year-old Jones pulling the strings in the centre of midfield, were finally rewarded for their more adventurous approach. A dangerous 68th-minute corner was cleared by Lotta Runesson to Prinz whose first-time scuffed shot found its way to the head of Jones who powered the ball into the net.

Prinz goal
Umeå dug deep in attempt to find an equalising goal and they nearly found one completely against the run of play in the 89th minute when substitute Emma Lidqvist side-footed a powerful effort into Wissink's midriff. A minute later Lidqvist was made to pay for her profligacy as Jennifer Meier found Prinz with a delightful centre and the striker glanced in the second goal to put the seal on a fine personal and team display.