Potsdam beat Duisburg, Lyon stride on

Germany's two UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finalists had mixed fortunes this week as 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam strengthened their Frauen Bundesliga title defence with a weekend win against FCR 2001 Duisburg – who then had their German Cup defence ended last night.

European and domestic titleholders Potsdam went into the game against Duisburg two points ahead of their third-placed rivals and a goal in the 84th minute by Anja Mittag gave Turbine a 1-0 win, though the visitors had their share of chances.

Potsdam coach Bernd Schröder said: "It was perhaps the best-ever meeting between Potsdam and Duisburg. Both teams performed wonderfully. A draw would probably have been fairer." Duisburg's Martina Voss-Tecklenburg added: "We pressed a lot in the first half and were once again not rewarded in the end."

With five games to go Potsdam are a point ahead of 1. FFC Frankfurt, who recovered from their 1-0 loss at home to Duisburg on 29 January with a 9-0 defeat of 1. FC Saarbrücken. Conny Pohlers scored four of those to leave the sole three-time European champions well placed for a return to UEFA competition next season.

Frankfurt also made it through to the German Cup semi-finals on Wednesday with a 4-0 win at FSV Gütersloh 04. Duisburg, though, were knocked out, losing 3-0 at FC Bayern München, who now have a last-four tie on 27 February with Potsdam, who beat SG Essen-Schönebeck 1-0 last month.

Turbine resume their UEFA Women's Champions League defence with the first leg of their quarter-final at FCF Juvisy Essonne on 16 March, the day before FCR Duisburg 2001 visit Everton, Arsenal LFC meet Linköpings FC and Zvezda-2005 play Olympique Lyonnais.

Lyon look in fine shape following their 3-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain FC on Sunday, leaving them with a perfect record 15 games into the French season. They are six points clear of Montpellier Hérault HSC and 15 ahead of third-placed Juvisy, 4-0 winners against Rodez AF with league-leading scorer Laëtitia Tonazzi striking twice to take her tally to 16.

None of the other quarter-finalists have begun their league seasons but Linköping had their first friendly at the weekend, beating KIF Örebro 2-1 with two Linda Sällström goals, new signings Lisa Klinga and Marianne Gajhede Knudsen making debuts. Zvezda have been on a training camp in Cyprus following their addition of versatile Ukrainian international Lyudmyla Pekur from FC Energy Voronezh.