Umeå scrape through to fifth final
Sunday 6 April 2008
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Umeå are through to their fifth final (©Imeå IK)Umeå IK secured their fifth UEFA Women's Cup final berth after a 0-0 home draw against Olympique Lyonnais saw them go through on away goals after the first leg was drawn 1-1 in France.
Well-matched opponents
In a game played between two very well-matched sides, a nervous Umeå team found it hard to break down Lyon's defence and it was the away outfit who could have taken the lead early on after Camille Abily hit the top of the crossbar after 16 minutes. Umeå, who won the trophy in 2003 and 2004, struggled to impose themselves on the game, only really getting into their stride towards the end of the game.
'Fantastic game'
However, it was European debutants Lyon who came closest to scoring – a goal which would have seen them make the final – when Sonia Bompastor hit the post in injury time. Umeå held on, though, and will now meet 1. FFC Frankfurt in the final which is played over two legs in May, with the Swedish champions at home first. "This was a great day for women's football," Umeå coach Andrée Jeglertz said. "It was a fantastic game between two very good sides. I've never faced a better team with this club."
Record awaits
Goalkeeper Ulla-Karin Rönnqvist said: "We're really looking forward to the final against Frankfurt. We've played them before and they're a good side, but we know we're in with a really good chance." Whoever triumphs in the final will have won a record third UEFA Women's Cup with both sides having two successes apiece.
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