Potsdam pack a punch

UEFA Women's Cup holders 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam began their defence of the trophy by finishing top of second qualifying round Group B1 on goal difference ahead of ambitious French side Montpellier HSC.

Potsdam cruise
Less than four months after defeating Djurgården/Alvsjö to lift the trophy, Potsdam showed they had lost none of their touch as they defeated Austria's SV Neulengbach 12-1 in their opener in France. Petra Wimbersky scored twice within the first ten minutes, and Ariane Hingst, Anja Mittag, Isabel Kerschowski and Inken Becher all struck before Wimbersky completed her hat-trick to make it 7-1 at the break, Sandra Graf having replied for Neulengbach.

Montpellier success
Mittag and Britta Carlson each found the target early in the second half, and then Mittag secured her own treble before Wimbersky converted a penalty and Karolin Thomas had the final word. Montpellier overcame Dutch side Saestum 2-1, Hoda Lattaf opening the scoring on 16 minutes, and although Shirley Smith equalised early in the second half, Virginie Faisandier claimed Montpellier’s winner in the 63rd minute.

Duo advance
By the end of Matchday 2, Potsdam and Montpellier were through to the quarter-finals. Potsdam overcame Saestum 2-0, with Wimbersky on target in the 76th minute and Hingst quickly adding a second, while Montpellier saw off Neulengbach 4-0. Faisander's first-minute goal was added to midway through the half by Lattaf, who scored again in the 75th minute, with Elodie Thomis completing the victory.

Quarter-final ties
All that was left to play for was first place, and Potsdam secured that honour on goal difference with a 0-0 draw and will now play Valur Reykjavík while Montpellier meet Brøndby IF over two legs next month. Saestrum defeated Neulengbach 4-3 to secure third position.