Doctor's prescription for victory

Successful club
Frankfurt won this competition's inaugural edition in 2002 against Umeå IK, only to lose to the same team in the 2003 semi-finals and 2004 final. uefa.com caught up with Frankfurt coach Dr Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks, a 49-year-old who also works at the Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine at the German Sport University in Cologne, ahead of the start of their European campaign against Group B3 hosts SC Luwin.ch of Switzerland, AC Sparta Praha and Azeri champions Gömrükçu Baku.

uefa.com: You must be eager to get going?

Dr. Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks: I am definitely full of excitement and I am glad that this European campaign is finally starting. I am very satisfied that all my players are in great shape and I am convinced that we will be successful this season.

uefa.com: It must be a boost to have signed Germany striker Sandra Smisek from rivals FSV Frankfurt to partner Birgit Prinz?

Tritschoks: It is fantastic to have them here in my squad as a pair for a complete season. They know each other very well because Birgit and Sandra not only play together for Germany but were also schooled together at FSV. They have outstanding link-up play. Sandra in particular has been in great form since she arrived, scoring at least once in every match. I am glad to have her here because previously there was just too much pressure on Birgit. Our game is not as predictable as it was before.

uefa.com: Potsdam won the UEFA Women's Cup and the German Cup last season, though you were Bundesliga champions. You must be keen not to be outdone again?

Tritschoks: Yes, we are keen to prove that we are the better team this season. We were extremely disappointed this summer because we only lost two matches throughout the whole season and we ended up with just one title. One of the matches was in the league against [FCR 2001] Duisburg, and the other one was the big Cup final in Berlin against Potsdam. This is very unfortunate. But I have to admit that we deserved to lose the final.

uefa.com: Are you looking forward to gaining revenge?

Tritschoks: Of course! The best thing that could happen to us would be another cup final against Turbine next year. Then we would be able to prove that we can turn the tables. We also aim to win the German title again, and it would be a dream come true if Frankfurt and Potsdam both reach the Women's Cup final.

uefa.com: Can we expect German dominance in Europe again?

Tritschoks: I do not think so. Potsdam and Frankfurt will certainly be hard to beat, but we should not forget the Scandinavians, especially the Swedes. They will definitely be a tough challenge for us. I expect the Women's Cup to be very competitive.

uefa.com: How do you feel the Women's Cup has developed over the last few years?

Tritschoks: I'm eager to find out myself, because I am looking forward to my first European match. Generally, the quality of the teams has improved a lot in recent years. I would say that it has become much harder to win the trophy, because the competition has helped women's football to improve in every respect.

uefa.com: Of the German 'big two', Frankfurt are considered the traditional giants and Potsdam the force for the future. Is that fair?

Tritschoks: Before I answer, I have to emphasise that Duisburg must be regarded as a top German team as well. Anyway, I think the images are not quite right. It is true that we have some veterans like Prinz, Steffi Jones and Renate Lingor. But we also have lots of young promising players who will step up as the season goes on. We have a great mixture.