Potsdam and Duisburg expect tense decider

In three meetings over the last few weeks there has only been one goal between 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam and FCR 2001 Duisburg so a nervous climax to the all-German UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final is likely on Sunday.

European champions Duisburg won the first leg 1-0 last Sunday, repeating their German Cup semi-final defeat of Potsdam the week before. Turbine did beat Duisburg 2-1 in a potential league decider late last month and with Fatmire Bajramaj in good form for Potsdam against her former club a week ago, anything could happen.

"Our chances of reaching the final are 50-50," said Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder, who led his side to the 2004/05 UEFA Women's Cup. "Everything is open, it's a whole new ball game."

German titleholders Potsdam gained a boost on Wednesday when they beat FC Bayern München 2-0 to move eight points clear of Duisburg with four league games remaining. Schröder said: "Our win against last year's second-placed team has changed our position for the better. The success is good for morale and also something our opponents will take note of."

A thunderous long-range shot from Femke Maes is all that separated the two sides in the first leg and both coaches know a similar moment of brilliance could decide the tie. "Small things will make the difference," said Bernd Schröder. "Anything is possible if you have a run."

Duisburg coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg added: "Two teams come toe to toe who know each other very well. We will see who will be have more persistence and maybe that little bit more luck."

The players are already excited as well. "There is tension, but it is a good tension," said Duisburg goalkeeper Ursula Holl, who helped 1. FFC Frankfurt beat Potsdam in the 2006 final and joined her current club in the summer. "We now know the final is in our grasp and we also know that we do not have to hide after beating the German champions twice."

When Holl tasted victory in this competition, the final was two-legged. The switch to a one-off decider, played in Getafe two nights before the men's UEFA Champions League final across Madrid, is welcomed by Voss-Tecklenburg.

"[This] is a definite, additional motivation for the match in Potsdam," the Duisburg coach said. "That's why I have made this great opportunity a topic in our team talks. It has to be our goal to score at least one goal – and as quickly as possible. Then we have a good chance of going to Madrid."