Jeglertz hails Scandinavian strength

Umeå IK are one step close to an unprecedented third UEFA Women's Cup triumph after a 5-2 home win against Saestum gave them an 11-3 quarter-final aggregate victory.

Game of two halves
"We felt pretty comfortabale ahead of the game, but were fully focused on getting a good result," said Umeå coach Andrée Jeglertz. "The first half was very good with strong passing play, lots of movement and we made it very hard for Saestum. We were a bit less concentrated in the second half but that's not much to talk about."

Kolbotn test
In any case, the focus is really now on the semi-finals, and a rematch with a Kolbotn IL side who dramatically eliminated the holders, and Umeå's old foes, 1. FFC Frankfurt in the last eight. The Scandinavian teams recently met in the second qualifying, a last-minute Ingvild Stensland own goal giving Umeå victory. "We'll now face Kolbotn which is perhaps it bit of a surprise, but they're a very good team who gave us a real scare in the group stage," Jeglertz said.

Nordic alliance
"It's going to be very tough. They play a very strong 4-3-3 system with a very flexible and quick midfield. I think it's great that the German teams have been knocked out. Many people talk about how much stronger the German teams are compared to the Nordic sides, so it's great to see three Nordic teams in the semi-finals."