Frankfurt aim to move past Malmö

The only side to have won three European female club titles, 1. FFC Frankfurt are in sight of a dream UEFA Women's Champions League final at Munich's Olympiastadion but their Swedish defender Sara Thunebro is not looking beyond Thursday's last-eight visit to her compatriots FC Malmö.

While Frankfurt have resumed their Frauen Bundesliga campaign with two victories and, with a stable squad, even have the luxury of being able to concentrate on signings for next season, Swedish champions Malmö are in flux with the departures of Nilla Fischer, Manon Melis and Caroline Seger. New coach Peter Moberg has brought in Swiss striker Ramona Bachmann but their other attacking recruit, Germany forward Anja Mittag, is cup-tied.

Many are thereby tipping Frankfurt to move a step nearer the Munich decider yet Thunebro is not thinking that way. "I don't know if the other girls are talking about it, but I'm not," she told UEFA.com. "I want to be focused on what's next, and that's Malmö, and for me it's a special feeling to play against a Swedish team. I want to develop. I came to Germany to join a better team, so of course I want to win against Malmö."

While Frankfurt striker Fatmire Bajramaj was not at the club for their 2002, 2006 and 2008 UEFA Women's Cup wins, she has claimed European crowns with FCR 2001 Duisburg and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, and her sights are set on further success in Munich. "It was our target to reach the final and we are still in the hunt, and quite close to winning it," the German international said. "I think that a team like this, with players like this, belongs there."

Malmö, whose only previous European adventure ended at Frankfurt's hands in the 2003/04 semi-finals, are themselves upbeat. "It's so exciting," forward Katrine Veje said. "I don't know everything about them but I know they have a lot of internationals – quite good I think.

"We have got some new players, really good players like Ramona Bachmann. It will be good to face Frankfurt as our new players know the German style. Because of the Algarve Cup we'll have had only five training sessions together before the game, which is different to normal. We have played friendlies and I think we are OK."

Veje lifted the Swedish title last year in her debut campaign since joining from Odense BK and has enjoyed the Damallsvenskan experience. "In Denmark we only have two teams at the top but in Sweden there are 12 good teams," she said. "It's like playing an international match, the players are so good. We have Marta and Ramona Bachmann, all these good players. It is exciting to be in the league right now."