No doubt the biggest match of the weekend in the world of women’s football was the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League Semifinal between German giants Turbine Potsdam and Duisburg. Duisburg had won at home 1-0 in the first leg. Here’s a recap from Davey Harris, an English-based Potsdam enthusiast:

In a sensational game in which everyone involved will remember for a long time, the “Turbine” from Potsdam won 3-1 on penalties against FCR Duisburg and marched into the first Champions League final in the history of women’s soccer. The afternoon offered a high level of drama – the match would be decided a penalty shoot-out.

Potsdam began visibly nervous, as they had yet to equal the 0-1 deficit from the first leg. The event surged initially before a crowd of 4,522 spectators, especially between the two penalty areas. There were several big chances but none could be converted by either team.

After the break, Potsdam were stronger and they increased the pressure. Turbine coach Bernd Schröder showed a golden touch Tabea Kemme came on for Corina Schroder in the 61st minute. Not 60 seconds later, the 18-year-old scored the goal to level the aggregate score. A corner courtesy of Fatmire Bajramaj came to the U20 National Team forward and Kemme headed into the far left hand corner.

Potsdam’s captain Jennifer Zietz would later express that ”we really wanted to make it 2-0″ but there would be no further goals in regular time. After 90 minutes with the aggregate score still tied, the referee whistled for extra time.

This 2×15 minutes developed into some innocuous play, which took place mostly between the penalty areas. Duisburg were on the offensive and looked ever stronger, typically lurking in Potsdam’s half. The extension period had elapsed with the score still 1-0 and the finalist had to be determined by penalties. The absolute high-class women’s soccer match contained tension that was downright palpable!

First Potsdam captain Jennifer Zietz held her nerve and hammered the ball into the bottom left corner. Inka Grings stepped up to be the first shooter for the guests, but her half-right shot was parried by Potsdam’s goalkeeper Sarholz. 1-0 Potsdam. Anja Mittag sank the leather for turbine into the bottom right corner as Duisburg goalkeeper Holl dove back into the wrong corner. 2-0 Potsdam. Next Duisburg shooter was Linda Bresonik. After Anna Sarholz parried their first she decided to repeat, the 17-year-old (!) Potsdam Keeper again went right an blocked Bresonik’s shot. Then 3-0 Potsdam. Babett Peter put the ball to the left. Then came the substitute Lena Wermelt for Duisburg, who finally got one on the board. 3-1 Potsdam. Ursula Holl then saved from Lira Bajramaj. 3-1 Potsdam. Then Sarholz stopped what would be the decisive penalty by Irini Ioannidou and the “Turbines”, the entire team, most of the nearly 5000 attendees at the stadium, and those who couldnt make it by checking the score on Turbine’s Liveticker (myself included) went crazy.

“Today, we are just happy,” the goalkeepers first words after the game.
Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder found it difficult to find words.”We are very happy to be in Getafe for the final of the Women’s Champions League. We do not care who we play there. We want our club, the city of Potsdam, the region, the country and the East represented worthy! ” Against whom the “Turbines” on 20 May in Getafe will play, is at present not yet clear as the match between Umea and Lyon was postponed due to the volcanic ash.

Duisburg showed themselves as a fair loser. “Potsdam deserved to win, we have simply failed to score a goal. We have failed,” admitted Annike Krahn, “we wish the best to Potsdam in the final.”

By Davey Potsdam Norwaywnt Harris

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

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