Grings goals take Duisburg to final
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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FCR 2001 Duisburg 3-1 Olympique Lyonnais (agg: 4-2)
Inka Grings scored twice and earned a penalty as Duisburg booked a berth in next month's two-legged UEFA Women's Cup final with Zvezda-2005.
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FCR 2001 Duisburg will attempt to keep the UEFA Women's Cup in Germany next month after victory against Olympique Lyonnais took them through to the final.
May final
The sides had drawn 1-1 in France last week and Germany striker Inka Grings ensured Duisburg made the most of home advantage as she struck twice in the last seven minutes before the break. Elodie Thomis quickly pulled one back, but after Grings was brought down in the box on 54 minutes, Linda Besonik converted the penalty that took Duisburg into the final against fellow European debutants Zvezda-2005. They will travel to Russia on 16 May before staging the second leg a week later.
Duisburg ahead
Lyon, who had never lost over 90 minutes in a European game, departed in last year's semi-finals after being held 0-0 at Umeå IK following a 1-1 home draw, and they were clearly keen to avoid a similar fate as they attacked from the start. However, they were unable to break down the Duisburg defence and the home side increasingly began to threaten, eventually making the breakthrough in the 38th minute when Grings latched on to a headed ball and faked a shot before sending a left-footed effort into the far corner from close range.
Quickfire goals
Five minutes later, the Germany striker scored again. She strode on to a long ball from Jennifer Oster and sealed her double with another accurate finish. In spite of those setbacks, Lyon responded well and Thomis pounced on a defensive lapse to reduce arrears before half-time.
Lyon denied
Grings soon played her part in restoring the two-goal cushion. She swept past several Lyon defenders before being brought down for a penalty, which Bresonik sent into the bottom left-hand corner. Just as in the opening exchanges, Lyon pushed hard but in vain, despite the 68th-minute appearance of Katia following an injury absence. Duisburg held on to keep alive their hopes of following last year's winners 1. FFC Frankfurt and 2004/05 champions 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam by ensuring a German UEFA Women's Cup triumph.