German giants reign supreme

Two teams from the same nation will meet in the UEFA Women's Cup final for the first time in 2006, but it took dramatic comebacks by holders 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam and inaugural winners 1. FFC Frankfurt to set up next May's all-German tie.

Second-leg comebacks
On Saturday, Frankfurt overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress on away goals against Montpellier HSC following a 3-2 victory in France. The following day Potsdam, against the team they beat in last year's final, Djurgården/Älvsjö, began the return in Sweden 3-2 down, and ended it 7-5 up.

Breakfast brainwave
Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder is regarded as a master tactician equipped with the art of making the right decisions at the right time. And when sitting down for breakfast ahead of Sunday's encounter at the Råsunda stadium, the 63-year-old pondered his attacking options. With German internationals Anja Mittag and Conny Pohlers certain of their places the coach had to make a decision between Christiane and Aferdita Podvorica for the final berth up front.

'Gut feeling'
After a quick think, Schröder opted for Podvorica. "It was a gut feeling. I simply believed that Aferdita's more physical approach would do us good," he said. And by choosing the 27-year-old he even managed to surprise Djurgården/Älvsjö coach Benny Persson who apparently believed that his experienced counterpart was simply playing tricks.

Opening goal
Schröder's decision to look to Podrovica immediately paid off with the 27-year-old putting on a blistering first-half performance. On five minutes she gave her side an important lead when volleying in a Petra Wimbersky cross. Furthermore, her corner led to Mittag doubling the advantage and it was her free-kick that was tapped in by Jennifer Zietz to give Potsdam a 3-1 half-time lead.

Podvorica delight
Further goals from Pohlers and Mittag after the break ensured the defending champions had done enough to book their place in the final. "It was a great performance from the whole side and we deserved to reach the final," said Podvorica.

'A wonder'
Schröder added: "Considering the result in the first leg, today's result is a wonder. We came out attacking and obviously the early goal suited us. We didn't make the same mistake as one week ago when we stopped attacking. Instead we kept pushing forward and continued to score when we needed to."

Podvorica suspension
However, when Potsdam come up against Frankfurt in the final the 63-year-old will not have the luxury of being able to choose between Podvorica and Christiane. Podvorica picked up her second booking of the competition and will miss the first leg.

Frankfurt keep heads
Twenty-four hours earlier in France, Frankfurt had come through a bad-tempered tie to reach their third final in five years, equalling the tally held by Umeå IK. Coach Dr Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks was happy with how his players held their nerve. In a game of two sendings-off - including Frankfurt goalkeeper Marleen Wissink, replaced by reserve custodian Ursula Holl for the final 16 minutes - Montpellier missed a penalty and then converted one to set up a nervous finish.

'Tactics worked'
"I would like to compliment my team," Tritschoks said. "We kept our cool in a volatile atmosphere and won the match. Our tactics worked to perfection. Montpellier couldn't close down the players on the ball because we played one-touch football."