Turbine wary of Swedish power

By Andreas Alf

Djurgården/Älvsjö have been beset by injuries in the build-up to the first leg of the UEFA Women's Cup final on Sunday but 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam are taking nothing for granted.

Striking blows
The Swedish champions' main selection worries concern their striking options. Laura Kalmari is a certain absentee, while Sara Johansson is struggling to overcome a muscle injury, and American youngster Venus James is doubtful following a recent illness. The team could be lifted by the return of Victoria Svensson, however, after she returned to full training this week.

'Still strong'
Despite the setbacks, Djurgården/Älvsjö coach Mikael Söderman is confident his side can overcome their German opponents at the Stockholms stadium. "We're convinced we are still strong enough," he said. "We have faith in our approach to the game." Indeed, despite the casualty list, the Swedes warmed up for the encounter with a 2-0 victory at Mallbackens IF last Wednesday.

Domestic struggle
The win failed to paper over an otherwise disappointing start to their domestic season, which sees them in sixth place after four games and Söderman admitted it was "very important for our self-confidence to have won our last match". Potsdam have also struggled in domestic competition and failed to score in their last two Bundesliga outings against FSV Frankfurt and TSV Crailsheim.

Returning triumvirate
The goalless draw with German rivals Frankfurt was an acceptable result but the 2-0 defeat by Crailsheim is a blow, although coach Bernd Schröder will welcome back several key players for what he describes as "the highlight of our club's history". German internationals Petra Wimbersky and Britta Carlson have recovered from ankle injuries, while Anja Mittag and Peggy Kuznik are in contention after completing school exams.

'We are underdogs'
"We will start with our best formation, the one that has seen us undefeated in the UEFA Cup so far," Schröder told uefa.com. But while basking in a clean bill of health, the Potsdam coach is aware of the danger the opposition pose. "Djurgården are a team full of top stars with a lot of experience," he said. "My side is still learning. We are underdogs.

Superior fitness
"The Swedish season has just started so they [Djurgården/Älvsjö] are completely fit. We're about to end our campaign and need time to recover after every match. Additionally, our eleven German internationals have played lots of games this year."

National pride
The Germany-Sweden final is a repeat of last year when the countries' more familiar women's names, FFC Frankfurt and Umeå IK met. The Swedes triumphed then, but Turbine are keen to bring the trophy back to Germany. "It is about representing German women's football," Schröder continued. "And rewarding the 50 supporters who will travel with us to Stockholm. I'm hopeful of a good result with at least one goal before completing the job back home."