Schelin and Lyon realise final goal

Lotta Schelin is Olympique Lyonnais's leading scorer on their UEFA Women's Championship League run and, having helped the French side reach next month's decider with a 3-2 win at Arsenal LFC, she told UEFA.com: "This year our only goal has been to get to the final and now we're there."

Two Schelin goals at the Stade de Gerland put Lyon in control of the semi-final last week, and they struck three times before the break at Arsenal to ensure that, despite two second-half goals for the Gunners, the French champions will return to London for the final on 26 May. A year ago, Lyon made it to the showpiece in Getafe only to lose on penalties to 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, and either they or FCR 2001 Duisburg will await at Craven Cottage.

"Last year, we saw that we could do it and we had all the talent to get to the final," Schelin said. "And this year our only goal has been to get to the final and now we're there. So it is totally fantastic."

Schelin had said before the second leg that Lyon would not be playing to their strengths if they sat on their lead, and sure enough they tore into Arsenal from the off. "I think our best defence is to attack," said the Sweden forward. "We did that and we scored three goals, and after that we knew it was cool. I don't know how many goals they needed, but a lot! So after that we were easy-going, a little bit too much, but it didn't matter."

Lyon have already ensured some silverware this term – and a return to this competition next season – by clinching their fifth straight French title with four games to spare. That will help their preparations for the final, Schelin believes.

"We've had a super season and it's nice to know that the championship is behind us. We will play the last games of course but we're already champions so we can put all our efforts into the final."

Just to be there will be special for Schelin – until last season, no French side had ever made the final before, and now Lyon have made it again. "It's like a dream for me and the club, it's the second time in a row," said the 27-year-old, who has scored nine goals in the current campaign. "Now we've got to prepare ourselves for this and we've got to do our best in the final and see what happens."