Rottenberg relishes fresh 'challenge'

UEFA Women's Cup finalists 1. FFC Frankfurt have pulled off a transfer coup just three days after extending Birgit Prinz's contract with the signing of Germany goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg from FCR 2001 Duisburg.

'New personal challenge'
The 34-year-old, who has won three UEFA European Women's Championships and the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, will move in the summer after agreeing a two-year deal until 2008. "I am looking forward to this new personal challenge and I am keen to show my class on a European club level," said Rottenberg, who joined Duisburg in 2003 from FFC Brauweiler and who will link up with long-time international team-mate, defender Steffi Jones.

European final
Before Rottenberg's arrival, Frankfurt will attempt to wrest back the UEFA Women's Cup from 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in an all-German final on 20 and 27 May. In the Bundesliga, the race between unbeaten trio Frankfurt, Potsdam and Duisburg remains tight after all three gained comfortable away wins in their first matches of the spring season on Sunday.

Title race
Leaders Potsdam moved to 29 points from eleven outings with a 5-1 victory at FSC Frankfurt. Duisburg, a point behind having played a game more, prevailed 4-0 at VfL Sindelfingen. Frankfurt remain three further points adrift, but with three matches in hand, after their 4-0 triumph at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.