Zvezda surge into semi-finals

Zvezda-2005's dream debut UEFA Women's Cup bid will continue to a semi-final with Umeå IK in spring after they completed a comfortable aggregate success against experienced European campaigners Brøndby IF.

Hoodoo broken
Leading 4-2 from the first leg in Denmark, Zvezda travelled from their usual Perm home to Kazan 600km away and 3,000 fans were present to see them end Russia's quarter-final hoodoo in this competition at the sixth attempt. Vera Djatel and Natalia Barbashina scored early on and although Brøndby pulled one back early in the second half through Maiken Pape, Valentina Savchenkova's late strike removed all doubt.

Early goals
The only one of the eight quarter-finalists to have begun their season in the first qualifying round, Zvezda had won all seven of their fixtures before today, with scalps including holders 1. FFC Frankfurt. Brøndby were added to that list last week and Zvezda looked on course to repeat that when Djatel finished after a solo run on nine minutes. Soon after, striker Barbashina turned in a cross to leave the visitors needing four goals to force extra time.

Umeå encounter
One of those came Brøndby's way when Pape struck after the break, but late on Savchenkova completed the scoring. Zvezda will now take on two-time winners Umeå, who beat Arsenal LFC 8-3 on aggregate, in late March and early April, with the Russian side at home first. It will be no easy task – Umeå have been in five semi-finals in the previous seven editions, and won every tie.