Frankfurt ease through to Munich final
Saturday, April 21, 2012
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1. FFC Frankfurt 2-0 Arsenal LFC (agg: 4-1)
Dzsenifer Marozsan marked her return to the side with a goal and an assist as the German outfit booked their place in next month's showpiece.
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Second-half goals from Dzsenifer Marozsan and Jessica Landström took three-time UEFA Women's Cup winners 1. FFC Frankfurt through to their first final since the 2009/10 switch to the UEFA Women's Champions League with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal LFC.
Marozsan was the inspiration for the hosts, rewarding coach Sven Kahlert's decision to draft her into the side that won 2-1 in London last weekend. A lively presence all afternoon, she calmed Frankfurt nerves with the opener on the hour, her shot deflecting in off Alex Scott. She also hit the post before delivering a free-kick for Landström – the player she had replaced in the starting XI – to turn in five minutes from time.
It was little more than an enterprising Frankfurt performance merited as, after an even start, the German team took a grip on proceedings. Melanie Behringers' free-kick forced Emma Byrne into action and Marozsan narrowly missed the target in a physical contest. The visitors struggled to gain a foothold, but delivered a warning shot three minutes before the break when Stephanie Houghton's long-range shot rose over the bar.
Marozsan's goal gave Frankfurt some breathing space though Arsenal responded well and Desirée Schumann had to tip over Kim Little's effort from distance. The Gunners pushed on in the final quarter, with substitute Gemma Davison directing just too high, and Frankfurt thrived on the counterattack. Marozsan hit the post before teeing up substitute Landström to seal a 2-0 win on the day.
It means a return to the final stage for Frankfurt, winners of the UEFA Women's Cup in 2002, 2006 and 2008. Their opponents at Munich's Olympiastadion on 17 May are likely to be holders Olympique Lyonnais, who take a 5-1 lead to Frankfurt's German rivals 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam on Sunday.