Emphatic Duisburg storm to first-leg victory

FCR 2001 Duisburg captain Inka Grings scored a hat-trick as the German outfit overwhelmed Zvezda-2005 in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Cup final in Kazan.

Ruthless display
The hosts were forced on to the defensive from the outset and, having already had a penalty saved, Duisburg went ahead through Femke Maes's neat finish three minutes before half-time. Grings ensured Duisburg were not so forgiving with their second penalty after 62 minutes and that proved the prelude to a flurry of late goals, with a strike from Fatmire Bajramaj, another from Maes, and two more from Grings in the final six minutes leaving next Friday's return in Germany all but a formality.

Penalty save
Duisburg's early forays forward belied the pre-match statement by Grings that they would adopt a cautious approach. Having stamped their authority on proceedings, it was only the reflexes of Nadezhda Baranova which kept the score level on 12 minutes as the Zvezda goalkeeper dived to her right to keep out Linda Bresonik's spot-kick after Alla Lishafai had been penalised for handball.

Maes goal
Zvezda failed to build on their reprieve, however, as Duisburg continued to attack, but although Simone Laudehr, Bajramaj and Marina Hegering all threatened for the visitors, they could find no way past Baranova. That allowed Zvezda to gain a foothold in the match, yet just when they seemed set to end the half on level terms, Duisburg went in front when Grings sent Maes clear and the Belgian international lifted the ball over Baranova.

Second penalty
Zvezda emerged for the second half a different side, threatening the Duisburg goal for near enough the first time when Olesya Kurochkina's effort was blocked. As in the first half, though, Duisburg struck just as Zvezda were enjoying their best period, Natalia Barbashina's handball in the penalty area allowing Grings to double the visitors' lead.

Hat-trick
Soon after it was three when Grings played in Bajramaj, who made no mistake with her lob and, with the home defence in disarray, Duisburg ruthlessly took full advantage. Maes increased the lead with a shot from inside the area and, two minutes later, Grings added a fifth by turning in a cross from the right. The Duisburg captain completed her hat-trick in added time to leave Zvezda with mere pride to play for in the return leg next week.