Duisburg eliminate holders to make last four

FCR 2001 Duisburg confirmed their place in the UEFA Women's Cup semi-finals after a 2-0 home win over fellow German outfit and last season's winners 1. FFC Frankfurt gave them a 5-1 aggregate success.

Comprehensive win
Duisburg, in their debut European campaign, had won 3-1 in Frankfurt in the first leg and extended their healthy advantage on the stroke of half-time through Inka Grings. Despite dominating large periods after the break, Frankfurt could not fight their way back into the tie and the holders' fate was sealed 18 minutes from time when Linda Bresonik struck the home side's second.

Duisburg in control
A crowd of 3,250 turned out for the all-German affair and after just three minutes, Duisburg had the first chance, Bresonik – who had scored her side's third in the away fixture – going close with a header. Frankfurt came into the game as it progressed but it was still the hosts who looked the most dangerous, Grings going close just past the quarter-hour mark. Both sides fought to gain control of midfield for the rest of the half and with Frankfurt needing three goals to progress, the onus was on them to take chances going forward.

Killer goals
However, it was Duisburg who looked the more dangerous and it was no real surprise that they broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Grings was quickest to react following a goal-mouth scramble. The hosts fell back after the interval and played on the counterattack, Grings nearly adding to the lead in the 50th minute. The holders enjoyed the majority of possession, but could not make it tell and Kerstin Garefrekes' wayward header midway through the half was their best attempt. Duisburg then put the tie beyond all doubt, when Bresonik broke clear to make it 2-0 after 72 minutes. They will now play either Olympique Lyonnais or ASD CF Bardolino Verona in the last four with the French side holding a 5-0 advantage from their first leg.