Umeå at the top of their game

The only team from outside Germany to win the UEFA Women's Cup, Swedish champions Umeå IK are in the sort of mood that could produce an unpredecented third European triumph.

Back in Europe
Continental title-winners in 2003 and 2004, Umeå were absent from Europe last season but return after clinching the 2005 Swedish league crown. On Thursday they are in the Netherlands to meet Saestum in the first leg of their UEFA Women's Cup quarter-final - the stage where they fell to domestic rivals Djurgården/Älvsjö in their last outing in the competition. But judging by how Umeå have been playing in 2006, first-time quarter-finalists Saestum have a daunting task.

Champions
Two weeks ago, with four rounds of fixtures still to go, Umeå clinched their fifth Damallsvenskan title in seven years, one shy of equalling Öxabäck IF's record of six championships. The northern side remain 13 points clear of Djurgården/Älvsjö after defeating Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 3-2 at the weekend - their 19th Allsvenskan outing without losing this term. They are also through to next month's Swedish Cup final against Linköpings FC, having lost the last two deciders to Djurgården/Älvsjö.

Winning run
In all competitions Umeå are on a run of 22 straight wins and are approaching 100 goals for the year, even more impressive considering Hanna Ljungberg has only just returned from a long injury absence to resume her deadly partnership with Brazilian striker Marta. Umeå coach Andrée Jeglertz told uefa.com: "I think it's quite amazing that we have so many players that manage to perform at the highest level week in and week out. I believe that the main reason behind this is the attitude and spirit within the club; there's a will and an ambition to always improve, to always do things better and that spurs everyone on."

No complacency
So dominant are Umeå that some are blaming them for falling attendances in the league, and that complacency could set in. "I don't think that is the case," Jeglertz said. "It's true that we win a lot, but on the other hand the players know that there's fierce competition for places and if they don't perform they run the risk of being replaced. There might also be a risk that other teams see us as unbeatable and that they don't really try as hard as they perhaps could do. It's not the case yet, but it might be something that could happen in the future."

Saestum puzzle
Saestum will, of course, give their all and Jeglertz is unsure what to expect: "I honestly don't know much about them yet. We had someone watching them at the weekend and after that I'll know more. I believe they must be a strong side as any team has to be to reach the last eight. They drew against [1. FFC Turbine] Potsdam in the group stage so that tells a bit about their capacity. Make no mistake, though, we want to win. We want to do well in the Women's Cup and victory is the only thing for us."