German rivals ready for showdown

After a win apiece in two vital domestic matches over the last few weeks, FCR 2001 Duisburg and 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam take their rivalry on to the European stage on Sunday with the first leg of their UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final.

German titleholders Potsdam, who won the former UEFA Women's Cup in 2004/05, beat Duisburg 2-1 on 24 March to take control of the Frauen-Bundesliga. They are now five points ahead with five games left to FCR's four. But reigning European champions Duisburg hit back last Saturday, defeating Potsdam 1-0 to reach the German Cup final.

"Given the enormous strain, I don't think it is possible for any team to win all three titles," said veteran Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder a couple of weeks ago, and the home win apiece seemed to be bear that out. Following Saturday's loss to a Linda Bresonik goal at the PCC Stadion, where Potsdam again travel this weekend, Schröder said: "It was a deserved win for Duisburg. We simply were not capable of scoring a goal today. That hasn't happened in a long time. The willpower I saw within Duisburg's players is what I would have wished to see with my players."

Both sides warmed up for their next encounter with Wednesday league wins against mid-table teams. Duisburg triumphed 3-1 at SC 07 Bad Neuenahr, while Potsdam saw off FCR's German Cup final opponents FF USV Jena 7-0. "Scoring lots of goals is always good, it gives you confidence," said Anja Mittag, who scored for the 17th time in the league this season in that match, six behind Duisburg's Inka Grings.

Potsdam are without Monique Kerschowski after her cruciate knee ligament tear but can welcome back from injury Fatmire Bajramaj, who helped Duisburg win the UEFA Women's Cup last season before her switch to Turbine. Duisburg's Luisa Wensing is away at Austria's UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship mini-tournament, while Marina Hegering is doubtful with a heel injury. However, Duisburg will have Japan midfielder Kozue Ando available after a ruling on her eligibility.

"We have a psychological advantage," said Duisburg coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. "Our defensive work will once more be very important. I don't think there will be many goals between the two sides. There is always talk about the attacking power of the two teams, but it is often neglected that they are also defensively most solid."

Schröder, whose side will welcome Duisburg for the return next Sunday, added: "Anything is possible, but we have to come to terms with the cup defeat first," while Potsdam defender Bianca Schmidt vowed: "We will not perform again like in the cup against Duisburg."