Magnificent Montpellier move ahead

Diguelman strike
Frankfurt, inaugural winners of the competition in 2002, began the tie as favourites to reach their third final, but in front of more than 5,000 fans a second-half strike from Ludivine Diguelman proved the only goal and left Montpellier in the driving seat ahead of next Saturday's return.

Wissink save
Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks's side began by putting the pressure on their opponents. But one of Montpellier’s dangerous counterattacks gave the visitors the first chance to score after five minutes, though Hoda Lattaf's close-range effort was saved by Frankfurt goalkeeper Marleen Wissink. The German title-holders were impressed by their opponents' courageous showing and began to retreat. Frankfurt's usual passing moves did not trouble Montpellier, who were proving physically stronger in midfield.

Duo denied
It took more than half an hour for Birgit Prinz to provide Frankfurt's first inspirational moment with a 20-metre volley that went wide. And just before half-time, two fine free-kicks by playmaker Renate Lingor and Prinz both missed the goal by centimetres. In the second half, the home team started brightly but within five minutes they were caught out. The outstanding Elodie Thomis stepped up the pace on the right wing and crossed precisely to Diguelman, who connected with her right foot and beat Wissink.

Frankfurt frustrated
Now Frankfurt needed to attack but, to the frustration of the local fans, Montpellier retained control of the match. A Lingor shot from five metres out and a Steffi Jones header in the final minutes were not enough to beat visiting goalkeeper Céline Deville and Montpellier had good reason to celebrate their impressive win - having become the only team other than two-time champions Umeå IK to defeat Frankfurt in this competition.