Vital wins for Lyon, Torres and Wolfsburg
Monday, March 4, 2013
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Olympique Lyonnais beat Paris Saint-Germain FC 3-0 to all but seal the French title, ASD Torres CF recovered from a rare defeat and VfL Wolfsburg returned with a semi-final win.
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Olympique Lyonnais look set to clinch a seventh straight French women's title after overcoming second-placed Paris Saint-Germain FC 3-0 at Stade de Gerland.
In a match shown live in prime time on national television on Saturday evening, Sweden striker Lotta Schelin scored one goal in each half and Amandine Henry added a third from the spot to see off the challenge of PSG, coached this term by former Lyon chief Farid Benstiti. The result takes Lyon six points clear with a game in hand on PSG, though the ambitious capital club are still on course for UEFA Women's Champions League football next season as Montpellier Hérault SC – having also played a match fewer – are seven points adrift in third.
Lyon coach Patrice Lair, who welcomed back Elise Bussaglia after a three-month absence and has now overseen 16 straight First Division wins this campaign with 98 goals scored, said: "We have taken a big step towards the title."
Lair's side are aiming for a third consecutive European crown and face FC Malmö in the quarter-finals later this month, while compatriots FCF Jusivy Essonne also take on Swedish opponents in the shape of Göteborg FC. Juvisy lie fourth, one point behind Montpellier, after overcoming Yzeure Allier Auvergne FF 3-0.
A week ago Italy's quarter-finalists ASD Torres CF lost their unbeaten Serie A record with a 2-0 home defeat by ACF Brescia, but on Saturday the Sicilian team maintained their one-point lead over UPC Tavagnacco by beating CF Chiasiellis 6-0 with four Patrizia Panico goals. Torres are up against Arsenal LFC, whose most recent pre-season result was a 5-0 victory away to Scottish champions Glasgow City LFC.
Frauen Bundesliga leaders VfL Wolfsburg began their spring season on Saturday, winning 5-0 against SC Freiburg in the German Cup semi-finals to set up a 19 May decider against 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, who along with 1. FFC Frankfurt are one point shy of Ralf Kellerman's side in the league. Wolfsburg's European quarter-final opponents FC Rossiyanka trail FK Zorkiy Krasnogorsk by two points with a game in hand in Russia, whose league resumes this month.
