Torres, Rossiyanka, Juvisy complete lineup
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Article summary
FCF Juvisy Essonne and FC Rossiyanka came through tight contests as they and ASD Torres CF completed the quarter-final lineup after the conclusion of the last round of 16 ties.
Article top media content
Article body
FCF Juvisy Essonne, ASD Torres CF and FC Rossiyanka have completed the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final lineup after the conclusion of the last three round of 16 ties. The open draw for the remainder of the competition will be held on 27 November with the eventual prize a place in the 23 May final in London, staged at Stamford Bridge.
Quarter-final lineup: Arsenal LFC (ENG), ASD Torres CF (ITA), FC Rossiyanka (RUS), FCF Juvisy Essonne (FRA), Göteborg FC (SWE), Olympique Lyonnais (FRA, holders), VfL Wolfsburg (GER), WFC Malmö (SWE)
FC Rossiyanka 2-2 AC Sparta Praha (agg: 3-2)
The Russian champions survived a scare to repeat their feat from last season of making the quarter-finals and condemn Sparta to a fourth straight elimination at this stage. Just three minutes in, Lucie Voňková levelled the aggregate score for the visitors and it was not until early in the second half that Petra Vyštejnová's own-goal restored Rossiyanka's advantage. On 63 minutes, Fabiana gave the home team a cushion and although Nikola Danihelková made it 2-2 deep in added time, it was too late for Sparta to get the further away goal that would have taken them through.
FCF Juvisy Essonne 2-1 Stabæk FK (agg: 2-1)
Juvisy captain Sandrine Soubeyrand struck a superb shot to account for Stabæk, sealing the French club's place in the quarter-finals for the second time in three years. Sandrine Mathivet's team were up against it when, having registered a goalless draw in Norway, they fell behind to Kristy Moore's 21st-minute goal in south-east Paris. But Janice Cayma's leveller shortly before the break prompted a second-half onslaught, and Soubeyrand's sublime finish on 69 minutes clinched a deserved 2-1 aggregate win.
CFF Olimpia Cluj 0-3 ASD Torres CF (agg: 1-7)
Already three goals to the good, Torres played with confidence at the new and elegant Cluj Arena. Wingers Silvia Fuselli and Sandy Ianella – who opened the scoring – were a constant threat to the home defence. In the second half, Patrizia Panico struck twice in the space of five minutes to add to her first-leg hat-trick and take her season's tally to eight, the best of the knockout phase so far. Olimpia showed spirit throughout and can take credit for the best-ever Romanian run in this competition.
Tournament calendar
Quarter-final & semi-final draw: 27 November
Quarter-finals: 20/21 & 27/28 March
Semi-finals: 13/14 & 20/21 April
Final (Stamford Bridge): 23 May