Duisburg take command against Frankfurt

Grings opener
Duisburg are on their first European campaign but against an injury-hit Frankfurt side, Inka Grings struck early on, Kristina Plessen scored an own goal and Linda Bresonik took the visitors further clear. Birgit Prinz pulled one back for the three-time winners but Frankfurt have a huge task to turn the tie next Thursday.

Early goals
Frankfurt were missing several key players including striker Conny Pohlers, goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg and midfielders Pia Wunderlich and Karolin Thomas. They then fell behind to the first chance of the game on seven minutes when Grings exploited a Tina Wunderlich slip, picked up the ball and outpaced three defender before shooting in from 15 metres. Twelve minutes later Plessen sliced an attempted clearance from a corner into her own net and Duisburg were two up. The holders continued to struggle to get into the game and with Grings a constant threat, Duisburg remained dominant and late in the first half Bresonik scored from close range.

Arrears reduced
It took Frankfurt 64 minutes to register a first effort on the visitors' goal when Petra Wimbersky volleyed over from 16 metres. Three minutes later, Prinz finally had an opening, turned her marker and reduced arrears. The hosts looked for a second goal but failed and now must score three times at Duisburg, who were able to bring on Fatmire Bajramaj after her recent injury absence.

'Deserved' win
Grings said: "We were looking forward to the match, felt good and finally we had the little bit of luck we need and much deservedly won the match." Frankfurt coach Günter Wegmann added: "In the end it is a surprising result, but we don't have to be surprised given that we made two huge mistakes in the first half that paved Duisburg's way to victory. The second half showed that we can still manage it in Duisburg next week."