Lyon ready for Nordic tests

The ambitions of Olympique Lyonnais to be ranked among the continent's finest female teams are tested this week as they stage UEFA Women's Cup second qualifying round Group D against some tough opponents.

Gerland chance
Usually based at the Plaine de Jeux, Lyon's European games will be played at the Stade de Gerland as, on Thursday and Saturday, they meet last season's beaten semi-finalists Brøndby IK and Kolbotn IL respectively. The mini-tournament concludes next Tuesday as Lyon take on former quarter-finalists AC Sparta Praha, whose men's side lost 5-0 on their only competitive visit to the stadium in the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League. Only two teams will reach the last eight.

'Tougher challenge'
Since coming under the umbrella of Olympique Lyonnais three years ago, the former FC Lyon Fémenin have built a team heavy on the best French talent, plus Brazilian duo Simone and Katia, and now the moment has come for them to prove their worth, having warmed up in the first qualifying round by scoring 29 goals without reply in their three debut European fixtures. "We have been given the money, now we must bring back silverware," said coach Farid Benstiti. "Of course, we expect a tougher challenge here. The four teams all have the talent and skills to go through."

Professionalism
France midfielder Sonia Bompastor helped Montpellier HSC to the last four in 2005/06 before moving to Lyon, and explained why her club are able to compete with the likes of Brøndby and Kolbotn, from the traditional women's football powerbase of Scandinavia. "[Olympique Lyonnais] have brought us on to a par with the Nordic countries who all have semi-professional players," she said. "We are employed by the club's holding company and can train as often as necessary."