Podvorica powers Potsdam to final

UEFA Women's Cup holders 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam remain on course to retain their crown after Aferdita Podvorica inspired them to a thrilling 5-2 semi-final victory against Djurgården/Älvsjö in Solna, as the German side overturned a 3-2 first-leg deficit against the team they beat to win the competition last spring.

All-German final
Podvorica was a surprise inclusion in Potsdam's starting lineup, and quickly vindicated coach Bernd Schröder's decision with a blistering first-half performance at the Råsunda stadium. The striker levelled the aggregate scores after just five minutes, and then created goals for Jennifer Zietz and Ariane Hingst before the interval. Victoria Svensson was also on target for the home side, but further strikes from Conny Pohlers and Mittag left the visitors on course for an all-German final against 1. FFC Frankfurt next year.

Aerial dominance

Svensson strike
Rocked by the early goals, the Swedish outfit, attempting to maintain their country's proud record of having a finalist in every UEFA Women's Cup final, regained their composure and Svensson edged them back into the aggregate lead ten minutes before the break when she capitalised on a defensive error by Hingst. Djurgården/Älvsjö's advantage was short-lived, however, as Hingst made up for her mistake by pouncing on goalkeeper Maja Åström's failure to hold on to Podvorica's free-kick to score.

Grandstand finale
Pohlers made it 6-4 on aggregate eleven minutes after the restart when she skipped around Jenny Curtsdotter and slotted the ball in to leave the visitors seemingly coasting to victory. But Djurgården/Älvsjö have made a habit of quick-fire responses in this tie, and reduced the deficit again through Ann-Marie Norlin moments later to set up a grandstand finale. Both teams had chances in an open encounter, and either side could have booked a place in the final before Mittag ensured it would be Potsdam with just four minutes remaining.