Happy ending at Umeå for Östberg

Östberg bows out
The Swedish side's captain, Frida Östberg, was playing her last game after announcing her retirement from top-level football, while striker Marta – scorer of four goals on Wednesday – is now deciding whether to leave Umeå to join Los Angeles Sol in the United States' new professional league. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Vic Akers, who set up the women's team in 1987 and has made them the dominant female club in England, was in charge for his last European match as he is stepping down at the end of the 2008/09 season.

'Fantastic memories'
Versatile Swedish international defender Östberg, 30, spent her entire career with Umeå save for a spell at Linköpings FC between 2005 and the end of last year. Among her many honours she won two UEFA Women's Cups in 2003 and 2004. She said: "I'd like to thank the players and coaches who've been by my side during my 14 years at the top level. Together we've won great titles, but above all you've given me fantastic memories that I'll always carry with me ... I feel proud to have been a part of Umeå IK with all the incredible players and Andrée [Jeglertz]. Umeå have some of the best players and coaches in the world, but have still had the drive as a club to progress and never be satisfied. I've gathered incredible experience as a person."

Marta delight
Marta is keeping her counsel about her own future. The Brazil international made an immediate impact on her 2004 move to Umeå as they successfully defended the European title but has been on the losing side in the last two finals. They are on course to go all the way again after an 8-3 aggregate win against Arsenal booked a spring semi-final encounter with Russian champions Zvezda-2005. "It was a great match," said Marta. "We created chances from the beginning, and [goalkeeper] Ulla-Karin (Rönnlund) handled everything they threw at her. I can't remember another match where we've played so well." As for Östberg, Marta added: "Frida is a great person on and off the pitch. She was the first person to take care of me when I arrived."

Akers disappointed
There was frustration for Akers as he suffered the biggest European defeat of his time in charge of Arsenal, where he also works alongside Arsène Wenger with the men's team. "Sadly we never got out the stalls," he said. "It's disappointing obviously for me on a personal note. I finish at the end of this season and it's not the way I would have liked to gone out of this competition."