Giants start strongly
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Article summary
There were wins for past UEFA Women's Cup winners 1. FFC Frankfurt and Umeå IK as well as a 4-0 victory for holders Arsenal LFC as the second qualifying round began.
Article body
Holders Arsenal LFC and former winners 1. FFC Frankfurt and Umeå IK enjoyed decent wins as the first set of matches in the UEFA Women's Cup second qualifying round were completed.
Comprehensive victory
Hosts of Group B1 Arsenal cruised to a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Kazakh representatives Alma KTZH. Goals from Karen Carney (2), Katie Chapman and Ciara Grant sealed the three points. In the section's earlier kick-off, ASD CF Bardolino Verona defeated Neulengbach SV 3-1.
Umeå too strong
Last season's beaten finalists, Umeå of Sweden, were too strong for Romanian champions CCF Clujana and ran out 3-1 winners. The day's first game in Group B2 also produced a 3-1 result as WFC Rossiyanka defeated Belarus contenders WFC Universitet Vitebsk. The Russian side scored two first-half goals with no reply to send them on their way to three points.
Hosts win
Two time competition winners Frankfurt started the second qualifying round with a 3-1 victory over Icelandic champions Valur Reykjavík in Belgium. Meanwhile, Group B3 hosts FCL Rapide Wezemaal won 2-1 against Everton LFC, who finished second in last year's FA Women's Premier League but are representing England alongside Arsenal following the latter's league and UEFA Women's Cup double last season.
Credible draw
Olympique Lyonnais are hosting Group B4 and they started their games in the section with a credible 0-0 draw against Danish champions and last year's semi-finalists, Brøndby IF. There were goals in the other game however as the other team beaten in the 2006/07 last four, Kolbotn IL, defeated AC Sparta Praha 3-1.
