Potsdam stumble as Frankfurt soar

German champions 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam suffered a shock defeat on the opening day of their title defence but UEFA Women's Cup holders 1. FFC Frankfurt grabbed seven of the 29 goals struck in the division.

Potsdam shocked
Potsdam, who like Frankfurt begin their European campaign on Tuesday, visited SG Essen-Schönbeck and fell behind to a Stefanie Weichelt goal early on. Isabel Kerschowski equalised before the break from the penalty spot and Conny Pohlers gave Potsdam the lead on 58 minutes. But Inken Becher struck from the spot six minutes later and Charline Hartmann claimed the winner for Essen-Schönbeck 18 minutes from time.

Garefrekes hat-trick
Kerstin Garefrekes took only four minutes to put Frankfurt ahead at newly-promoted VfL Wolfsburg, and Birgit Prinz made it 2-0 just part the half-hour. Sandra Smisek swiftly added the third and early in the second half Petra Wimbersky got on the scoresheet. Garefrekes then struck twice more to complete a hat-trick and Wimbersky completed the 7-0 victory in the 74th minute.

Crailsheim surprise
Elsewhere, last season's title challengers FCR Duisburg scored a 1-0 win against SC Bad Neuenah, FFC Heike Rheine reached defeated FFC Brauweiler Pulheim 2000 6-2, FC Bayern München beat Hamburger SV 4-1 and TSV Crailsheim, freshly promoted, triumphed 3-0 at SC Freiburg.