Frankfurt nerves tested to full

Coach Hans-Jürgen Tritschoks admitted that 1. FFC Frankfurt's 2-1 victory against WFC Rossiyanka in the UEFA Women's Cup quarter-finals was a nerve-wracking experience.

Nervous occasion
Following a goalless first leg in Moscow last week, the German champions went into the break two goals up before a stoppage-time Elena Morozova strike ensured a tense finale. "That was not a match for the faint-hearted," said Tritschoks. "The half-time score was deceptive, because they had nothing to lose and we were a little careless, giving them the opportunity to hit back."

'Special' match
Goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg also confessed to being "scared" while striker Birgit Prinz, scorer of Frankfurt's second goal, echoed Tritschoks' sentiments having been replaced after 89 minutes. "I was shaking after I was substituted and had to watch the closing minutes from the sidelines," said Prinz. "But these matches are special and you don't get to play in them too often."

'Phenomenal' performance
Prinz's overall contribution to securing a semi-final against Italian outfit ASD CF Bardolino Verona was praised by Tritschoks after the 30-year-old also had a hand in Petra Wimbersky's opener. "Her performance has to be singled out, it was phenomenal," he said. "Even though she was not fully fit, she was decisive in ensuring that the team reached the semi-finals." The first leg of the last-four encounter takes place in late March.