Swedish rivals set for European epic

By Jan Juhlin

Djurgården/Alvsjö and Umeå IK's epic four-game series continues in Stockholm on Wednesday with the first leg of their UEFA Women's Cup quarter-final.

Umeå victory
Reigning European champions Umeå cruised to a 6-2 win at their arch-rivals last Sunday in the concluding match of the Swedish league season in front of more than 6,000 fans - but Djurgården/Alvsjö had already racked up enough points to retain their national title. This week now sees the two legs of their Women's Cup encounter, with the return on Sunday, before the Swedish Cup final on 6 November.

Titanic tussle
The league victory was a useful boost for Umeå who are aiming for a hat-trick of triumphs in this tournament, having never failed to reach the final in the three previous editions. Coach Andrée Jeglertz, whose side need to win this competition again just to gain entry in 2005/06 having been pipped by a single point domestically, has predicted a titanic tussle in these European ties.

'Tough games'
"I think it is safe to say that we know almost everything there is to know about each other by now, and the players all know that it will be a couple of tough games," Jeglertz said. "We know that if we play like we did on Sunday, then we are in with a good chance." Laura Kalmari claimed two goals at the weekend, with Anna Sjöström, Jessica Juhlin, Malin Moström and Marta also scoring, but key player Hanna Ljungberg is a doubt for Wednesday with a thigh injury.

Ljungberg doubt
Ljungberg admitted of her race for fitness: "It is getting better slowly but surely, but I do not know if it will be OK to play with the injury." Defender Sofia Eriksson took a knock to her achilles tendon and is another question mark for the visitors.

Pair injured
Defeat in their final league game may or may not have taken its toll psychologically on European debutants Djurgården/Alvsjö - but it certainly has physically. Striker Venus James and midfielder Linda Fagerström both look set to be sidelined in Stockholm at least after injuries against Umeå.

Dennerby worry
Djurgården/Alvsjö coach Thomas Dennerby confirmed: "Venus has suffered a dislocated shoulder and Linda twisted her knee on Sunday. These two situations were crucial in deciding the outcome of the game and they might also play an important part in the coming three games."