Odebrecht predicts strong Potsdam challenge

After two consecutive UEFA Women's Champions League finals between 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam and Olympique Lyonnais, the pair meet in the last four this time around starting at Stade de Gerland on Sunday.

Potsdam midfielder Viola Odebrecht played in both those deciders, winning in Getafe two years ago but losing in London 12 months later, as well as lifting the UEFA Women's Cup in 2005 in her previous Turbine spell. She is optimistic that playing the second leg at home will help Potsdam to the Munich final, where she hopes Arsenal LFC and not 1. FFC Frankfurt will be waiting.

What kind of memories do you still have of the finals in 2010 and 2011 against Lyon?

Viola Odebrecht: Lyon are a very strong and powerful team with fast players that are also technically strong and know how to use the ball. Their passing game is strong and dangerous and they have a lot of potential – they can always score a goal.

How do you rate your chances?

Odebrecht: I would say it is the same as in the previous finals: 50-50. Form on the day will decide who is going to make it to the final. It might be a little advantage for us to play the first leg in Lyon and the second one at home because we are very strong in our own stadium. I hope that in the end we will be successful.

What will be the key for success?

Odebrecht: We need to be solid as a team and we must not leave them any space to develop their game. We need to play aggressively, win the tackles and improve our finishing because we won't get that many chances. This was one of our main problems recently.

Is it a special motivation that the final will be played in Munich?

Odebrecht: I wouldn't say it is a special motivation. We were not less motivated in the semi-finals in 2010 and 2011. Of course, it is great to play in front of a home crowd and it might give you a certain boost, but we wouldn't be less motivated if the final were to be played in Poland or Norway.

What is the special fascination of a Champions League final?

Odebrecht: It is a different kind of football compared to the Bundesliga. Lyon and all teams in the Champions League have international players and you can compete with them, it is a different level of women's football where you can show you belong to the European elite. The game is faster and more demanding – it is the icing on the cake of women's football.

Are you dreaming of an all-German final?

Odebrecht: I have to say no. I hope we meet Arsenal in the final because we know Frankfurt very well and we have played them quite often in Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Women's Cup. It is better if it is not an all-German final.

Interview courtesy of the German Football Association