Potsdam strike blow to Duisburg

Reigning Frauen-Bundesliga titleholders 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam gained a psychological edge ahead of their UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals with FCR 2001 Duisburg after beating their rivals 2-1 in a top-flight meeting on Wednesday night.

Home side Potsdam were two up at the break through Anja Mittag and Jessica Wich. They then lost the creator of both goals – Fatmire Bajramaj – to a red card on the hour mark, but Duisburg could not take advantage until Runice Beckman's final-minute effort.

The result completed a miserable week for Duisburg, who suffered their first league loss this season 2-0 at home to 1. FFC Frankfurt on Saturday and they now trail unbeaten Potsdam by two points, with the leaders having seven games left to FCR's five.

"It was a very close game and we were lucky to come out on top," said Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder. "We've opened up a lead at the top of the table now, so it's in our hands." Duisburg coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg added: "Neither side deserved to win. My team showed character in this emotional, exciting encounter. Right now, of course Potsdam have a huge advantage."

However, Duisburg have a chance for revenge even before the defence of their European title continues when they welcome Potsdam in the German Cup last four on 3 April hoping to repeat their 7-0 defeat of Turbine in last season's final. Eight days later the teams meet in Duisburg in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-finals with the return the following Sunday in Potsdam.

The other semi-final on 10 and 18 April matches Olympique Lyonnais with Umeå IK. Lyon are third in the French league with a six-point deficit to Paris Saint-Germain FC and a game in hand. They will face the capital side in the French Cup semi-finals after winning 2-0 at ASJ Soyaux on Sunday. Umeå, meanwhile, lost the Swedish Super Cup to last season's league champions Linköpings FC 2-0 and begin their bid to reclaim the title on 5 April with a trip to Jitex BK.