Holmlund relishes home help

Should Umeå IK win the two-legged UEFA Women's Cup final against Fortuna Hjørring they can lay claim to being the most successful club side in Europe. Coach Richard Holmlund is the man masterminding the Swedish champions' rise to the top.

United example
Holmlund cites Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United FC manager, as his coaching hero and Umeå are as dominant in Sweden as the English champions are domestically. Unlike United, however, Umeå are yet to taste glory on the European stage. After losing last season's inaugural final to 1. FFC Frankfurt, Umeå are determined to succeed against their Danish opponents.

Latest challenge
Ahead of the first leg at Umeå's Gammliavallen stadium, uefa.com spoke to Holmlund about the challenge which lies ahead.

uefa.com: This is Umeå's second season in the UEFA Women's Cup. Do you think that you are a better side this year after gaining experience of European football last season?

Richard Holmlund: Yes. For us to reach the final last year gave us a lot of experience, as has reaching a new one. We have a lot of players with plenty of international experience but for the team to get it as a whole is great.

uefa.com: After losing in the final to Frankfurt last season, it must have been fantastic to beat them in the semi-final?

Holmlund: Oh yes. In the final last year we had a lot of injuries and our leading striker, Hanna Ljungberg, was suspended. We drew 1-1 at home in the first leg and Frankfurt must have thought they were going to win the second leg so it was fantastic to beat them away. The way it happened after sudden-death penalties was heart-stopping!

uefa.com: Is Hanna Ljungberg even more determined to do well after missing out last year?

Holmlund: Yes. I think she has dreamt of reaching the final since last year and for her it is a very big moment to be able to play. It is also very important for us that she plays.

uefa.com: Defender Hanna Marklund injured her knee playing for Sweden against Italy. Is she going to be fit to play?

Holmlund: Yes. She played in a league game on Wednesday and is fine. She has no problems.

uefa.com: What is the mood in the camp like and how are preparations for the match going?

Holmlund: The preparation is going well. It has been raining today but we hope to have better weather for Monday. The team are in great shape and we expect to sell out the game - 5,000 [tickets] have already been sold and the stadium holds 8,800.

uefa.com: Does playing in front of big crowds bring out the best in your players?

Holmlund: Absolutely. We like to play in front of lots of fans as it's very inspirational.

uefa.com: Do you know a lot about Fortuna Hjorring?

Holmlund: We have watched them on video and been to watch them in a league game. We know a lot about them but it's a new game on Monday. I think they also know a lot about us, too.

uefa.com: Finally, what sort of games are you expecting?

Holmlund: I think the team which gets the tactics right and copes with the pressure mentally will be successful. There are two games to play so Monday is only the first half. Our aim is to be the champions after the second match.