A Magnificent Seventh For Lyon

VfL Wolfsburg 1-3 Olympique Lyonnais

By Ben Gilby

Above: Olympique Lyonnais celebrate their Champions League success. Photo: @OLfeminin

Lyon won their fifth UEFA Women’s Champions League in a row and seventh from the last ten finals after victory in a high quality final against Wolfsburg in San Sebastian.

The final was settled by a goal from Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, who, with great irony had actually played more games for the German side in this elongated season’s competition than for her new French team.

Wolfsburg went into their fifth Champions League final in eight years desperate to put right their record of losing to Lyon in two previous finals. With their opponents missing both Ada Hegeberg (injury) and Nikita Parris (suspension) up front, the German champions felt that they had a real opportunity to claim their third Champions League title.

It was a lively start to the final with both teams showing their intent to attack from the first whistle. The French side fashioned the first opportunity when Saki Kumagai’s effort was well saved by Friederike Abt in the Wolfsburg goal.

The perennial danger of Lyon talisman Wendie Renard from set pieces was also in evident in the opening exchanges as her headers from both Dzenifer Marozsan and Amel Majri’s free-kicks narrowly missed the target.

In between, Chelsea target Pernille Harder had an effort on what was to be a relatively quiet night by her standards. Renard’s header clear fell to the Dane but her effort went over the bar.

Wolfsburg let another opportunity slip by on the quarter hour mark when Ewa Pajor and Alexandra Popp combined with a one-two but Sarah Bouhaddi in the Olympique Lyonnais goal claimed the ball.

Lyon made the Germans pay for missing those two opportunities on the twenty-fifth minute when a magnificent move down the right involving the influential Delphine Cascasino saw the ball cut back to Eugenie Le Sommer whose first effort was blocked by the feet of Abt, but the striker followed up rapidly with two defenders standing still around her to score.

Wolfsburg responded well, and within three minutes had another opportunity as Popp headed over. They were playing an excellent patient passing game which conjured up a chance for Fridolina Rolfo but the Swedish international side footed wide.

Cascarino was causing huge problems down the right with Sakina Karchaoui impressing on the left – and it was this pair that were influential for the remainder of Lyon’s efforts in the opening period.

From one such piece of Cascarino excellence, the 23 year-old laid off a ball from a corner to Saki Kumagai just outside the ‘D’ and the Japanese international crashed a shot in the bottom corner to put Lyon 2-0 up at the break.

The French champions almost made it three within minutes of the restart as Sakina Karchaoui ran down the left and cut in to feed Eugenie Le Sommer, but her effort was pushed out by Abt for a corner.

Wolfsburg rallied and Pernille Harder played in Svenja Huth whose cross was below standard and Ewa Pajor could not take advantage.

Just four minutes later, the Germans had better luck. Harder fed Rolfo who put in a great ball which Sarah Bouhaddi could only palm into the path of Alexandra Popp who didn’t miss.

Popp later combined well with substitute Pia-Sophie Wolter but the move was curtailed for offside.

Wolfsburg were pressing well, but unable to create the sufficient quality that was needed to bother Lyon, and as the game entered its final five minutes, it was the French side who rose to the occasion.

Lioness Jodie Taylor, on for Dzenifer Marozsan played in Eugenie Le Sommer, only for Lena Oberdorf to clear for a corner. From the resulting flag kick, Le Sommer drove in an effort which was heading narrowly wide before Icelandic international Sarah Bjork Gunnarsdottir stuck out a leg to deflect the ball past Abt for the winner.

There was one last chance for Lyon to add the icing on the cake when Melanie Malard found Taylor, but Abt saved with the assistant referee raising an offside flag.

Wolfsburg will feel that the score line didn’t do their efforts justice, but they learned a painful lesson – in order to defeat Olympique Lyonnais you have to convert a far higher ratio of the chances you create. They also lacked a playmaker with the creativity of Delphine Cascarino who, at her best can be unplayable.

Lyon took the honours yet again – but there is a growing band of teams across the continent, notably in England, who will feel that next time round things might be different.

Teams: VfL WOLFSBURG: Abt, Blasse, Goessling, Doorsan Khajeh, Jansson, Huth, Syrstad Engen, Popp, Rolfo, Harder (c), Pajor. Substitutes: Kassen (GK), Kiedrzynek (GK), Jakobfi, Heindrich (for Doorsan Khajeh), Oberdorf (for Pajor), Bremer (for Blasse), Rauch, Wolter (for Huth), Dickermann, Wiedermeyer, Grawe.

Scorer: Popp 58

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS: Bouhaddi, Karchaoui, Renard (c), Buchanan, Bronze, Kumagai, Gunnarsdottir, Majri, Marozsan, Cascarino, Le Sommer. Substitutes: Gallardo (GK), Talaslahti (GK), Bacha, Henry, van der Sanden (for Cascarino), Carpenter, Greenwood (for Le Sommer), Cayman, Taylor (for Marozsan), Malard (for Majri).

Scorers: Le Sommer 25, Kumagai 43, Gunnarsdottir 88.

Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI).

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City

By Ben Gilby

Chelsea ran out deserved winners in the resurrected Women’s Community Shield at Wembley with defender Millie Bright showing how to finish on a day when her famously more prolific team mate Sam Kerr was below par.

Manchester City will point to the controversial sending off of Jill Scott just past the hour mark for a second bookable offence as the moment the game changed, however it would be equally fair to highlight the fact that had Sam Kerr’s finishing been up to standard, they would have been well out of the game by the time of Scott’s departure.

Chelsea gave a competitive debut to German midfielder Melanie Leupolz and also welcomed back Fran Kirby after many months on the sidelines. Fellow summer signings Jessie Fleming and Niamh Charles appeared from the bench.

For City, summer signing Chloe Kelly started and USWNT star Sam Mewis made an appearance off of the bench.

The Sky Blues were on the attack from the off and forced a corner within fifteen seconds. Kelly’s in swinger was gathered by Ann-Katrin Berger.

Chelsea constructed their first chance on three minutes when Ji So-yun played an inch perfect ball through to Sam Kerr, but the Matildas star’s effort went into the side netting.

It was noticeable that new Manchester City coach Gareth Taylor had introduced a more patient passing build-up in the early stages, and the West Londoners were more than happy to sit off.

Ji continued her dominant start by playing in Guru Reiten who won a foul from Steph Houghton.

City fashioned their first real opening on the twenty-second minute mark when Georgia Stanway hit a half volley towards the top left corner, but Berger reached the ball comfortably. Shortly afterwards a dangerous free-kick on the right from Chloe Kelly found Houghton, but the Lionesses star couldn’t quite get on the end of it.

The Sky Blues momentum was broken as Lauren Hemp cruelly pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring twinge, and she was brought off as a precaution. Canadian international Janine Beckie came on with Chloe Kelly taking Hemp’s position.

As the half wore on, Fran Kirby’s influence grew down the right and she looked to find Sam Kerr. It was City though, through Kelly once more that fashioned another great opportunity. She glided past four attempted Chelsea tackles as Maren Mjelde, Fran Kirby, Millie Bright, and Magdelena Eriksson all failed to stop the former Everton flyer from playing a ball across the box which an offside Beckie tapped in.

Kirby then combined with Ji through the middle before the South Korean was felled on the edge of the box by Jill Scott. The resulting free-kick in the ‘D’, just left of centre rebounded off of Eriksson’s back and into the path of Kerr who headed wide.

Stanway had another ferocious effort for City three minutes later which forced Berger into a fine save. Kelly’s follow up crashed back off of the left post.

Less than a minute later, Kerr let another chance go begging when the Fremantle born star saw off Houghton but her shot went wide. Chelsea had two further opportunities through Maren Mjelde before the break – the first blocked by Gemma Bonner with Ellie Roebuck saving the second. It remained goalless at the break.

Fran Kirby started the second half as she ended the first by going on a glorious run and playing in Kerr who appeared certain to score, but could only side foot the ball wide again. Shortly afterwards Demi Stokes got back well to put the Australian off as she went to hit another effort.

From City’s perspective, Chloe Kelly was once again involved in the best of their offensive efforts. She cut in off her wing and pulled off a magnificent shot from outside of the box which Berger held. On the hour mark, there was another great piece of build-up play when a lovely ball from Keira Walsh set Jill Scott away and her ‘through-the-eye-of-the-needle-pass’ found Stanway beautifully before the danger was cleared.

Just two minutes after that came Scott’s final act. The Lioness went into a challenge with Ji So-yun and on the follow through, her knee make contact with the South Korean. Referee Rebecca Welch adjudged it a yellow card offence, and with Scott already been booked, she was then shown a red. It was certainly possible to feel sympathy for Scott as two committed players went for the ball.

To add rub salt into City wounds, just four minutes later they went behind. Ji laid off a pass to Millie Bright who hit a glorious curling effort from outside of the box past Ellie Roebuck to give Chelsea the lead.

Emma Hayes then began to make changes and introduced FAWSL Player of the Year Beth England for Sam Kerr and the terrier like Scottish star Erin Cuthbert for Fran Kirby. England made her presence felt immediately going on a trademark run before finding Ji, but Roebuck saved comfortably. Shortly afterwards England fired an effort over.

Chelsea were in control in the final twenty minutes and Ji combined well with Cuthbert down the right before Houghton intercepted the former Glasgow City player’s attempted ball to England.

Finally in stoppage time, the West Londoners added a second when Ji combined with Maren Mjelde. The Norwegian played in a pass towards Beth England who slid in with Houghton. The ball found its way to Cuthbert’s feet and the Scot doesn’t miss those sorts of opportunities.

Chelsea will be delighted to take the honours from the game, but ultimately, come May very few people will remember the outcome of the Community Shield. The FAWSL restarts next weekend, and one thing is certain – it’s going to be the strongest competition yet. Get strapped in, hold on tight because the roller-coaster ride is about to start.

Teams: CHELSEA: Berger, Eriksson, Bright, Ingle, Mjelde, Ji, Reiten, Leupolz, Andersson, Kirby, Kerr. Substitutes: Thorisdottir, Blundell, Carter, England (for Kerr), Fleming (for Andersson), Charles (for Reiten), Cuthbert (for Kirby), Spence, Telford (GK).

Scorers: Bright 66, Cuthbert 90.

MANCHESTER CITY: Roebuck, Stokes, Bonner, Houghton, Morgan, Walsh, Weir, Scott, Stanway, Kelly, Hemp. Substitutes: Bardsley (GK), Campbell, Coombs, Beckie (for Hemp), Park, White (for Stanway), Mewis (for Weir), Benameur.

Referee: Rebecca Welch.

PSG Wait Goes On As Lyon Extend Run

Paris St. Germain 0-1 Olympique Lyonnaise

By Ben Gilby

Lyon continued their domination over their closest rivals in the French domestic game with a 1-0 win over Paris St. Germain in Bilbao to reach their fifth consecutive Champions League Final.

The six times Champions League winners have a staggering record over the Parisians – having lost just four times to them in over forty matches. However, PSG can point to the fact that they were the last team to defeat the dominant force in French and European women’s football – albeit two years ago. Clearly the gap between the two sides continues to narrow, and PSG produced more than enough throughout this semi-final in the Basque Country to emphasise that it is just a matter of time before they lower Lyonnaise colours.

PSG coach Olivier Echouafni set out his side to deny Lyon the time, space and freedom to allow their creative players to dominate the game. The physical edge to the game which they showed so often against Arsenal in the Quarter-Final was also in evidence – it was a game plan which brought his team close to glory.

Paris were probing well in offence during the early exchanges and tried to maintain a high press. Sara Dabritz played a crucial role in this period, and she created the first real opportunity of the semi-final when she played in Perle Morroni, but the effort flew over the bar.

Just after the twenty minute mark, Lyon had an opportunity from a corner but Wendy Renard’s header could only hit the back of team-mate Lucy Bronze.

The ever dangerous Delphine Cascarino began to show her worth for the defending champions as she used her pace down the right to pull in a cross, but Nikita Parris, no slouch herself in the speed stakes, could not match her run to get onto the end of the cross in time.

The game then became disjointed after the half hour mark as PSG were forced to stop Lyon in their tracks with a number of fouls. From one of the eventuating free kicks, Dzenifer Marozsan played the ball in to Cascarino who hit an effort from outside of the box which was pushed away by Christiane Endler for a corner. As the resulting flag kick came in, Lucy Bronze’s free header was saved.

PSG responded with the influential Dabritz who combined with Kadidiatou Diani, but Sarah Bouhaddi saved.

Cascarino’s marauding down the right continued to cause problems for the Parisians and she was stopped by Paulina Dudek’s foul. From the free-kick, Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir headed just wide.

The fouls began to rack up for PSG and Nadia Nadim, already booked, put in a cynical effort on Sakina Karchaoui which warranted a second yellow, but no card was shown by referee Anastasia Pustovoltova. It remained 0-0 at the break.

The second half began in a similar fashion. Within seven minutes of the restart, Nikita Parris was fouled, but the free-kick missed everyone in the box. However the main cause for interest in the move was a clear shirt pull by PSG’s Paulina Dudek on Kadeisha Buchanan in the box. Nothing was given – although it would not be long before the referee found her cards once more.

With sixty-five minutes played, Lionesses star Lucy Bronze went on a super run which could only be halted by another cynical Paris challenge – this time by Grace Geyoro, who had already been booked and so received her second yellow.

There was double despair for PSG, as Amel Majri floated in the resulting free-kick which was met by the head of Wendy Renard to put Lyon ahead.

Three minutes later, Nikita Parris was shoved by Parisian captain Irene Paredes as the ball went out for a throw in. Parris was at the centre of the next drama as well when, having been booked earlier for shouting back to the referee, she got involved by needlessly pushing Christiane Endler and received a second yellow.

This indiscretion served to buoy PSG who were no longer hampered by the double disaster of being behind in both the score and number of players. They dominated the remaining fifteen minutes of the encounter.

Diani fired in a dangerous cross which Bronze needed to head away, but the pressure remained and Majri needed to make a desperate thumping clearance to no-one in particular up the field.

There were two final opportunities for the Parisians as the clock ticked down – first Dudek’s chance from a free-kick caused a huge playground style scramble with Lyon’s Dutch star Shanice van der Sanden finally clearing. Then Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir handled on the left, far too close to her own goal for comfort, but Dabritz’s free kick was comfortably claimed by Sarah Bouhaddi and the final danger passed.

For the third time in the last five seasons there will be a Wolfsburg v Lyon Champions League Final. However, the French side’s ambitions of a record breaking seventh win in the last eleven years will be tempered by the realisation that they will be far from their usual strength offensively for the final as not only will they be missing Ada Hegerberg through continued injury, but Nikita Parris’ sending off will see her suspended.

Teams: PARIS ST. GERMAIN: Endler, Lawrence, Paredes, Dudek, Morroni, Bachmann, Dabritz, Geyoro, Diani, Katoto, Nadim. Substitutes: Voll (GK), Criscione (GK), Simon, Cook, Luana, Saevik, Fazer, Baltimore (for Nadim), Bruun (for Baltimore), Huitena, Formiga (for Bachmann), Khelefi.

OLYMPIQUE LYONNAISE: Bouhaddi, Bronze, Renard, Buchanan, Karchaoui, Gunnarsdottir, Kumagai, Cascarino, Marozsan, Majri, Parris. Substitutes: Gallardo (GK), Talaslahti (GK), Bacha (for Karchaoui), Le Sommer (for Cascarino), van der Sanden (for Marozsan), Carpenter, Greenwood, Cayman, Taylor, Malard.

Scorer: Renard 67.

Referee: Anastasia Pustovoltova (RUS).

Wolfsburg Smash And Grab Shatters Barca

VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 Barcelona

By Ben Gilby

Despite being second best in possession and territory for much of the evening in San Sebastian, it was Wolfsburg who edged their way into a fifth Champions League Final with victory over a luckless Barcelona.

The Spanish champions fashioned the first chances of this semi-final when Norwegian international Caroline Graham Hansen’s run down the left ended with her cutting in and shooting wide. Shortly afterwards, Asisat Oshoala played a lovely one-two with Maria Pilar Leon before hitting the side netting.

It took Wolfsburg until the twenty-first minute to create their first real opportunity and it came through Joelle Wedemeyer whose effort from outside the box was parried and then pounced on by Sandra Panos in the Barca goal.

The Germans then created a flurry of opportunities – Khajeh Doorsan put Fridolina Rolfo thorugh, but the Swedish international ballooned her shot over the bar. Minutes afterwards Rolfo combined with Pernille Harder, who was kept quiet all evening, but a crunching challenge from Kheira Hamraoui cleared the danger.

Barcelona responed eight minutes before the break when a move was set in action by Jennifer Hermoso which saw Graham Hansen feed Oshoala. The Nigerian went in for the ball with Wolfsburg defender Kathrin Hendrich and keeper Friederike Abt with all three having to be disentangled after the ball was cleared.

There were two further opportunities for the Catalans in the closing stages of the half both involving Caroline Graham Hansen. First, she came in from the left and hit a shot diagonally across the goal which was wide, and then the Norwegian’s free-kick from the right swerved straight into the arms of Abt.

Wolfsburg offered more in the opening exchanges of the second half, and Alexandra Popp’s header from a corner flew over.

However, a minute later, there was a golden opportunity for Barca. Hermoso released Graham Hansen who found herself free on the edge of the box with options – shoot or square it to Asisat Oshoala – unfortunately neither really eventuated as Hansen took the ball too far before attempting to centre, with Abt saving comfortably.

Barcelona would pay for this indecision on the fifty-eighth minute, Wolfsburg fashioned the only goal of the game. Ingrid Syrstad Engen played an inch perfect cross field ball to Svenja Huth whose cross was poorly dealt with by Andrea Pereira allowing Ewa Pajor to launch an overhead kick which in turn stuck the foot of a defender and rebounded into the path of Fridolina Rolfo who smashed the ball gleefully into the net.

The Swede’s goal was the last offensive act that Wolfsburg would offer in the game as Barcelona dominated the remaining thirty-two minutes in a fruitless attempt to get back into this semi-final.

Leila Ouahabi’s cross found the head of Oshoala. Her powerful header was tipped over by Abt, but the officials refused to award the corner for Barcelona. The frustration mounted just four minutes later when Mariana Caldertey side footed an effort over the bar.

The chances stacked up for the Catalans – Marta Torrejon ran through and centred to Hermoso, whose effort went wide. Graham Hansen sent in a dangerous low ball into the midst of the six yard box, but again, Hermoso’s luck was out as she couldn’t quite stretch enough to reach it. With six minutes left, Torrejon played in another ball which substitute Aitana Bonmati could only lift over the bar.

It was a classic smash and grab raid by Wolfsburg to make their fifth Champions League Final in eight years. Whilst their joy was unconfined at the final whistle, for Barca, it was a case of what might have been, or indeed what should have been.

Teams: VfL WOLFSBURG: Abt, Doorsan, Hendrich, Wedemeyer, Huth, Syrstad Engen, Popp, Rolfo, Harder, Pajor. Substitutes: Jakobfi, Oberdorf (for Popp), Bremer (for Pajor), Blasse, Kassen (GK), Rauch, Wolter (for Rolfo), Dickerann, Goessling, Grawe, Kiedrzynek (GK)

Scorer: Rolfo 58

BARCELONA: Panos, Ouahabi, Pereira, Leon, Torrejon, Putellas, Hamraoui, Hermoso, Caldertey, Oshoala, Graham Hansen. Substitutes: Serrano, Losada (for Ouahabi), Guijarro (for Putellas), Coll (GK) Bonmati (for Oshoala), Crnogorcevic, Martens (for Hamraoui), Queiroz, Font (GK), Panedos, Velasco, Costa.

Referee: Katalin Kulczar (HUN).

Parisian Flair Too Much For The Gunners

Arsenal 1-2 Paris St. Germain

By Ben Gilby

A dream goal from Signe Bruun on her return from eighteen months out injured ensured that Paris St. Germain ended Arsenal’s Champions League hopes last night with a deserved victory over the Gunners in San Sebastian.

Bruun’s strike with thirteen minutes remaining was the eventual difference between two sides, although it was becoming clear that the two competitive games that PSG have played in recent weeks was enabling French side to win the physical fitness battle after the shut-down of the sport due to coronavirus.

The early stages saw Arsenal creating good opportunities with Vivianne Miedema pressing Christine Endler on a pass back and ensuring that the PSG keeper rushed her clearance out for a Gunners throw. The Dutch star also combined well with Kim Little before Nadia Nadim tidied away the danger. Arsenal also earned a free kick on the edge of the box in this period, but Beth Mead’s attempted ball in was disappointing.

As PSG settled they began to spray some beautiful passes around the field and looked increasingly comfortable on the ball. On the twelfth minute mark, Kadidiatou Diani was awarded a free kick after being fouled by Danielle van der Donk. Sara Dabritz’s ball in from the right was cleared, but not without penalty claims from the Parisians which were waved away by referee Esther Staubli.

Three minutes later, PSG were in front. Marie-Antoinette Katoto got away from Leah Williamson at a corner to side volley in a stunning strike.

Arsenal responded well to this blow and shortly afterwards they fashioned an opportunity when Noelle Maritz was played in by Miedema and then found Kim Little whose side footed effort went narrowly wide.

Little was involved again just after the half hour mark when she found Lisa Evans, but the French side tidied away the danger.

The Gunners’ efforts though were rewarded six minutes before the break when Maritz combined with Little who threaded a ball through to Beth Mead who fired a shot across the diving Christiane Ender into the far corner. PSG claimed the England forward was offside – something which replays seemed to agree with, but the goal stood.

Arsenal fashioned a further opportunity three minutes later when the increasingly influential Little went on a storming run down the left and cut inside to find Miedema whose effort went wide and the score remained 1-1 at the break.

Paris St. Germain came out firing in the second half, and within four minutes of the re-start, their former Chelsea star Ramona Bachmann ran down the right and came in to provide a pass to Kadidiatou Diani, whose effort was deflected out for a corner.

The French side were now well in control and forcing Arsenal onto the back foot throughout, ensuring that the North Londoners struggled to maintain any possession that they gained.

Just after the hour mark Sara Dabritz combined with Diani but Zinsberger saved well. Diani was linking up magnificently with Marie-Antoinette Katoto with the pair at the heart of the majority of Arsenal’s woes in the second half. The pair combined on 74 minutes with Zinsberger needing to stand up strong to block Diani’s effort with her feet.

PSG introduced Signe Bruun for the hardworking Ramona Bachmann with twenty five minutes left and the Danish striker was in the thick of the action immediately as she shot over the ball after being played in by Diani.

Just two minutes later though, Bruun killed off Arsenal’s hopes of Champions League progress. Katie McCabe lost out to Diani who played in Katoto once more. Her low cross found Bruun who swept the ball home.

Five minutes later the Parisians fashioned another opportunity when the dangerous due of Diani and Katoto combined to force Zinsberger into a save with Dabritz’s follow-up going narrowly wide.

To their credit, Arsenal rallied and finished strongly – aided by their bench. Last season at times it could be ventured that Joe Montemurro’s side fell down against the top sides due to a lack of strength in depth. Not so now – any team that can have players like Jordan Nobbs, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Jill Roord as substitutes is going to be up there fighting tooth and nail with the best on all fronts.

The final stages saw Arsenal on the front foot in an attempt for an equaliser to force the tie to extra time. Caitlin Foord played in Miedema but the opportunity was cleared for a corner. The Dutch star was involved in Arsenal’s final opportunity when she combined with Katie McCabe to force a corner which was dealt with by the French side.

Paris St. Germain ran out deserved winners and now face domestic foes Olympique Lyonnais for a place in the Champions League Final. As for Arsenal, two weeks out from the start of the new FAWSL season, they will be in a good place to fight back for silverware domestically in a bid to return to this competition in twelve months time.

Teams: ARSENAL: Zinsberger, Maritz, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe, Walti, van der Donk, Evans, Little, Mead, Miedema. Substitutes: Nobbs (for Evans), Catley (for McCabe), Roord (for van der Donk), Foord (for Mead), Maier, Gut, Schnaderbeck (for Beattie), Stenson (GK), Felis, Mace.

Scorer: Mead 39.

PARIS ST. GERMAIN: Ender, Dudek, Paredes, Lawrence, Geyoro, Nadim, Dabritz, Diani, Morroni, Katoto, Bachmann. Substitutes: Voll (GK), Simon, Cook, Paixao, Saevik, Fazer, Baltimore (for Nadim), Bruun (for Bachmann), Huitenna, Formiga (for Diani), Khelifi, Pinguet (GK).

Scorers: Katoto 15, Bruun 77.

Referee: Esther Staubli (SUI).

Pernille Piles On The Pain

Glasgow City 1-9 VfL Wolfsburg

by Ben Gilby

The Scottish champions’ incredible run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League came to a shattering end in San Sebastian last night against a star-studded Wolfsburg side.

This tie was always going to be tough for Scott Booth’s team, but the extra difficulties added since the coronavirus outbreak proved to make the tie virtually impossible for City.

The Petershill Park based outfit went into the game not having been able to play a match since February whereas their German counterparts, Champions League winners in 2013 and 2014, were able to complete their domestic campaign in June. This, plus an inherent difficulty in defending balls into their box conspired to make the game far more one sided than it may otherwise have been.

City started well with Krystyna Freda threatening only to be ruled offside. However, either side of the ten minute mark, Wolfsburg began to test Lee Alexander in the Glasgow goal. First, Fridolina Rolfo ran down the left before cutting in and hitting a cross shot that needed to be held. Shortly afterwards, Rolfo combined with Joelle Wedemeyer to play a ball into Ingrid Syrstad Engen, whose weak shot was saved.

The opening goal came after fifteen minutes when Danish star Pernille Harder drove through from midfield and played a one-two with Alexandra Popp. Harder was not picked up after offloading the ball and had the freedom to run onto the return pass to hit her shot past Lee Alexander.

Just four minutes later, the Germans doubled their lead. From a corner. Engen got away from Leanne Crichton, her would-be marker and her weak header squirmed into the net. Unfortunately for City, this goal marked the beginning of a worrying trend to concede from balls across their box.

After the quick fire concession of two goals, Glasgow City did well to stem the tide and, just past the half hour mark offered an attack of their own when Sam Kerr powered up the flank and played a ball in, but there was no-one there.

With five minutes left before the break, City had another chance. Lauren Wade looked up and saw Wolfsburg keeper Friederike Abt slightly off her line and put up a high lob which fell wide.

All City’s hard work in aiming to go in just two goals in arrears despite having only twenty percent of the possession then went up in flames as Wolfsburg doubled their lead in the closing two minutes of the first half.

First, a teasing ball in from the right was met by Ingrid Syrstad Engen who was allowed to come between two defenders to notch her second of the game. Then Laura Goessling’s free-kick on the left was played back to Pernille Harder who blasted an effort from outside the box. Lee Alexander got a hand to the shot, but only to help it fly even faster into the goal. It was 4-0 to Wolfsburg at half-time.

Wolfsburg brought on new signing from Manchester City, Pauline Bremmer after the break, but it was Glasgow City who fashioned an early opportunity. Lauren Wade played a ball through to Krystyna Freda, with the American’s effort just wide.

Six minutes later though, Wolfsburg showed once more how clinical they are. Once more, City struggled with a cross into the box and Pernille Harder was allowed to run between two defenders to head home.

Glasgow City were though rewarded for sticking in there on sixty three minutes, with the goal of the game. A long kick from Lee Alexander was flicked down to Lauren Wade who hit a glorious effort into the far top corner of the net.

The joy of the strike was cut short just three minutes later when Harder broke through. Zaneta Wyne’s tackle only succeeded in pushing the ball straight to substitute Felicita Rauch who grabbed Wolfsburg’s sixth of the evening.

It took just another five minutes for the Germans to add another goal, and it was the Danish star Pernille Harder who once more reaped the rewards in a painfully familiar style as far as City were concerned. Svenja Huth’s free-kick on the right was played in and Harder was allowed to run between two defenders again to head home.

The final ten minutes only served to add further heartbreak for the Scottish champions as, first Huth’s cross ballooned up and was headed past her own keeper by Leanne Ross and then, at the death, Lena Obersdorf’s attempted cross was deflected into the net off of Jenna Clark.

It was a cruel end to Glasgow City’s fairytale run – but this club’s history and ethos can make you sure of one thing – they’ll come back stronger from this.

Teams: GLASGOW CITY: Alexander, McLauchlan, Van Wyk, Ross, Wyne, Love, Kerr, Crichton, Wojcik, Freda, Wade. Substitutes: Clachers (GK) (for Alexander 83), Howat (for Love 63), Clark (for McLauchlan 83), Colvill (for Wade 78), Foley (for Wojcik 78) .

Scorer: Wade 63.

VfL WOLFSBURG: Abt, Doorsoun, Hendrich, Goessling, Wedemeyer, Engen, Popp, Huth, Harder, Rolfo, Pajor. Substitutes: Kasen (GK), Kiedrynek, Jakobfic, Janssen (for Hendrich 60), Bremmer (for Pajor 45), Blasse (for Doorsoun 75), Rauch (for Rolfo 59), Dickermann, Oberdorf (for Popp 81) Wolter.

Scorers: Harder 15, 45, 56, 71. Syrstad Engen 19, 45. Rauch 66. Ross (OG) 80, Clark (OG) 90.

Referee: Tess Olofsson (SWE).

Keeping the Women’s Game Well and Truly in the Picture

During lockdown, Impetus became aware of some incredible graphic design work being done to promote women’s football. So impressed were we that editor Ben Gilby sought out Graphics by PW to find out a bit more about their work for the women’s game.

Looking through social media connected to women’s football during the peak of the coronavirus outbreak, some incredible art work showing Lionesses and Chelsea hero Fran Kirby popped up. The images were produced by Graphics by PW and seemed to be the perfect reflection of the modern and edgy image that women’s football encapsulates.

Above: Graphics by PW’s piece showing Arsenal and Netherland’s star Vivianne Miedema. Photo via: Paige Walder.

Upon digging a bit further, we came across more of the work done relating to women’s football by the same artist and, apart from wanting to commission a piece for ourselves, we wanted to know more about the background of the artist creating this spectacular series of work, so we made contact with Paige Walder who put the pieces together:

Paige told us:  “I’m a 27 year old graphics designer from Brighton. I create logos, promotion work and sports graphics.  A year ago I started creating graphics for friends ahead of their game days as a hobby and I am now preparing to do it full time!”

Above: A piece showing the stars of the Matildas, Australia’s national women’s side.

The next obvious question was why women’s football. “I realised recently that there was a huge gap in the market around graphics for women’s football and got to work creating some digital art for multiple women’s teams across Europe. The sport is growing massively and needs eye catching marketing to take it to the next level, which is where I come in! After recently landing a season long partnership with England and Chelsea star Fran Kirby, I think I’m one step closer to reaching a wider audience and hopefully growing graphics design around women’s football!”

Above: Further examples of the work of Graphics by PW. Image via: Paige Walder.

If you are impressed by the quality of Paige’s work as we were, she has advice for you on what to do next: “You can see some of my work and hopefully get an idea of my style and creativity from some of the examples shown in this article. If you like it, feel free to check out my social media where I post most of my work and reach out if you’d like to have your own personal graphic created!” You can find the work on the @graphics_by_pw Instagram page.

Plymouth Warriors: Outstanding Efforts and Achievements

Impetus editor Ben Gilby spoke to Melissa Curtis, coach of Plymouth Warriors Ladies, a club who are doing extraordinary things with a group of extraordinary players.

Above: Plymouth Warriors with the FA People’s Cup. Photo supplied by: Melissa Curtis.

Melissa began our conversation by outlining the incredible story of the club. “Plymouth Warriors was founded in 2018. One of our Co-Directors Luke Childs, who formed the club along with Simon York, has two children diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, after he found out that only 1% of children with additional needs take part in active sport, he felt it was something he could help the community with. The Warrior Ladies team actually started as a team of Mums and carers with disabilities, who were dropping their children to training. Instead of standing on the side watching, the ladies started their own team. From this, the club started advertising for new players, and when we had enough we joined the Devon Disability Counts League. As our first year as a team we weren’t expecting much, so when we won the league and the Devon Cup we were over the moon. Our next focus was on the F.A. People’s Cup, so you can only imagine how amazed we were to get in to the finals at St Georges Park! We wanted to take everything in and our main aim was to try our best and enjoy ourselves. It still doesn’t seem real now that we lifted the FA Peoples Cup Trophy.”

Unlike many clubs, there is no separation between the men’s and women’s teams at the club, as Curtis explains: “The club in general is really close. Everyone knows everyone from the children’s teams to the adult teams, families, friends and supporters. The club last year voted for the ladies team as ‘Team of the Year’. Another trophy to add to our collection for the 18/19 season!”

Above: Plymouth Warriors lift the FA People’s Cup. Photo supplied by: Melissa Curtis

The fantastic achievements of Plymouth Warriors in such a short space of time is something to be extremely proud of. I wondered what Curtis identifies as the keys to their success: “Enjoyment and support are the two qualities I ask for from the girls with everything we do. We never thought we would have the opportunity to be in a National Final, so to make sure the girls enjoyed the day and took in the experience was just as important as supporting each other in the process, whether it was on the pitch or off.”

Plymouth Warriors have players experiencing a wide range of disabilities, and for Melissa Curtis one of the most important aspects of the club is “getting the players along to training to help them to forget everything for an hour or two and enjoy themselves.” She explains that their players have conditions such as “Anxiety, Depression, BPD, PTSD, Fibromyalgia, Asthma, Autism, ADHD and Crohn’s. This is alongside such things as metal plates and screws in body parts due to primary and secondary curvatures. Getting out of the house for some of our players can be so daunting on days that they don’t come to training. Always being in pain and taking constant medication doesn’t always make the ladies feel like they can do a lot of running around or focus. Having a good support system with each other really helps push each other to do things they don’t always feel they can on that particular day.”

Above: Plymouth Warriors in action in the FA People’s Cup. Photo supplied by: Melissa Curtis.

Many clubs in the National League set up often cite sponsorship or access to facilities as their biggest challenge, but for Plymouth Warriors, Melissa Curtis feels, it is: “Without a doubt, the ladies disability is obviously our biggest challenge as coaches and for them as individuals and in the team.

The knowledge and understanding of disabilities is still a big problem in this country. ‘You don’t look disabled’ is something we’ve heard plenty of times. A lot of our ladies have invisible disabilities, but if you could see how they are affected before a match and how much they can suffer after it, people wouldn’t be so quick to assume. Being female in football also has its own comments; on an assessment day last year we were trialled in a men’s league, we were winning against a team and their coach shouted from the side-lines ‘Come on lads, they’re just a bunch of girls’. Unprofessional to say the least.

The Women’s World Cup last summer served as yet another boost for Plymouth Warriors, coming as it did on the back of their incredible 2018/19 achievements, as Curtis underlines: “Last year’s World Cup was one of the greatest things to happen for female football. For us, we had four new players join our team for the 19/20 season which meant we had enough girls for two teams. We also have another three lined up to join us in September for the 20/21 season already and it would be great if we could recruit some more so we could potentially get a third ladies team. All of our sponsors stayed with us for the 19/20 season, and some have already signed up again ready to be printed on our new club kit for the 20/21 season.

It’s far from just being about senior women’s football at Plymouth Warriors, indeed Curtis highlights the fact that: “We currently have a number of girls in our under 12’s and under 16’s teams which we would look to progress in to the next teams when they get to the age bracket. We had a girl from the under 16’s team come up to our ladies team this year, and we will have another ready to join us as of next season too. We would love to have more players in all of our teams, but our focus is on extending the ladies and reaching out to our local schools next.”

Above: Warriors bear down on goal at the FA People’s Cup. Photo supplied by: Melissa Curtis.

Our conversation ended by looking ahead to the future of Plymouth Warriors, and not surprisingly, Melissa Curtis was very optimistic: “If we go by how the first two years have been for Warriors, I can only continue to see success within the club. As for aims, we look to recruit more players by advertising wherever we can. We know there are plenty of people out there with disabilities who love football, and we would love for them to come and join us. We are the only disability club in Plymouth to have a ladies team, we need to let the people know that we are here, and we are here for them.”

A number of the stories and features that we have run on Impetus have contained the word “inspirational”. I think all readers would agree that the story of Plymouth Warriors is one of exceptional inspiration. In these difficult and different times, it is tales like this that we all need to become aware of and celebrate.

Yeovil Town Women: Alive and Kicking

Yeovil Town Women were formed in 1990 as Yetminster Women FC and played their first match on 16th September of that year against Weymouth Vikings. In 1993, they were renamed Sherborne Women and then became Yeovil Town in 1999.

The club’s first honour was the South-West Women’s Division Two Cup in 1995 – a trophy they retained the following year. The Division One Cup was lifted in 1997. After becoming champions of the South-West Women’s Premier League in 2007, Yeovil moved up the national league structure and became Women’s Super League Two champions in 2016 after finishing fifth and joint third in the previous two campaigns. They went full time and took part in the 2017 Women’s Super League Spring Series for 2018/19. In early 2019, Yeovil informed the FA that they intended to go into administration, a move that, eventually was not necessary, but nevertheless ensured an instant ten point deduction. The Somerset side had hoped to play the current season in the Championship, but instead they were placed in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier (tier three).

We were delighted to speak to Ewan Greenhill, Yeovil Town Women’s Head of Performance who began by explaining the rebuilding and restructuring process after the events of last season: ”It’s obviously been a period that had tough times and I don’t think people realise maybe how close we were to completely disappearing.” Back in July, the club were incredibly fortunate to be taken over by former AFC Bournemouth owner Adam Murry. Murry stepped in at the Cherries in 2008 when the Dorset side were in administration and in the fourth tier. He then appointed Eddie Howe as manager, and things went from there. Murry then went on to lead the Elite Soccer Academy in Florida which offers women’s football as well as men’s. Greenhill was hugely enthusiastic about their saviour: “But the takeover by Mr. Murry has been great. The first few months it was about building the basics up for the club. To start there was virtually nothing left after the summer. In the summer we brought in a re-brand, kit, new staff, players this was all after pre-season should have already started. So we were definitely playing catch up. By no means are we now a flush club with blank cheques – we still have to work for everything. And there has been a lot of mistakes and learning along the way.”

Above: Yeovil Town Women in action (in away kit of yellow) in National League Southern Premier at Plymouth Argyle Women this season. Photo supplied by: Ewan Greenhill

Greenhill though does see some positives in the club’s situation: “When we flip it though, the double drop (ie from Women’s Super League to National League Southern Premier) has allowed us the opportunity to do things the way we want to and build from there. Every process we have put in place is done without constraints or a ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’. We have put a heavy focus on the youth as we have been quite clear we want to develop our own.”

Yeovil Town’s provision for their young players is something they are rightly proud of. Greenhill explains its set up: “Outside of some of the Regional Talent Centres you won’t find many in the country providing player education, physical development, psychology to the youth academy like we do. We’ve seen those opportunities to young players already happen. That’s why the manager was a key appointment. Experienced senior players want to play for him and the staff and then gives us the opportunity to blood the talented youngsters in at training and in matches.”

At the start of the season, Yeovil Town had particular aims for the club, as Greenhill underlines: “First things first, we had to stop any rot and stabilise the club, then try and challenge in the league. By the turn of the year I think we reached a really stable point and began competing in the league at the right end. We wanted to provide more to the youth, and we’ve done that. Next season we are planning on adding U10s, U12s to our U14s, U16s, and U21s. Ahead of that we have some big plans – some I can’t make public just yet but rest assured the club is building in the background.”

Whilst the was a wider boost to the women’s game after last summer’s World Cup, Greenhill is not quite sure if any immediate benefits were translated to Yeovil: “I’m not sure it reached tier three and below as much as it did tiers one and two. But as long as the growth of the game keeps on going then you’ve got to hope it does filter down. That’s why when we talk about the development of our forty or fifty youth players into first team players, we know it’s not just going to be for ourselves but instead it is about growing the whole game. We know the South West has a geographical need for more players, better players, and better provisions to get there.”

Yeovil Town are well aware that they need to have careful plans for the future in order to ensure that there is sustainable growth. Greenhill identified them for us: “We have four main areas that we believe are crucial to the survival and growth of the club and therefore our main challenges to the club. We want to have a productive pathway and hold a connection with our community by using football as a vehicle for good, and connect with our fans. So we have to invest in the people, kit, and facilities involved in that. Alongside that we want to show that you can be successful at the top end being a self-sustainable business – something we believe can be achieved. And something achievable without the ‘big’ club backing.”

When it comes to backing, Greenhill is clear about how the women’s club get on with their male counterparts at Huish Park: “There is an ever improving relationship between the two clubs brought out of our respective takeovers. We run completely separate from each other, but now carry adverts for each other in our match day programmes and who knows how a working relationship may go as our relationship continues to improve.”

Above: Yeovil Town’s Sarah Wiltshire (7) in action in a home game. Photo supplied by: Ewan Greenhill.

Finally, our conversation turned to how Greenhill sees the future of women’s football more widely: “I think the number of professional teams will increase especially in the clubs connected to the big men’s clubs. But with that I think will bring another restructure for a larger Women’s Super League to provide a bigger games programme over the year as it is still quite small, the original plan was up to fourteen teams which could easily be achieved now. Then World Cup would then involve more countries. Of course, that would mean there’s then expanded costs to having more games but with the huge gaps currently in the schedule then it’s got to be looked at. More games and a more regular schedule is not just important on the field but off the field for the commercial and marketing of a club. For us at Yeovil Town, we want to be in those top two tiers again but there won’t be a timeline on returning to a full-time professional model we have to build steadily towards that. But it’s something we are pulling the whole

W League Grand Final Report

The Westfield W League Grand Final pitted together the two most successful sides over the past five seasons. Impetus editor Ben Gilby reports.

Melbourne City 1-0 Sydney FC

Melbourne City completed their unbeaten season by winning the W League Grand Final, albeit due to a highly fortuitous goal in a match that was played behind closed doors at their AAMI Stadium home.

It is the third time that these two sides have met in Grand Finals, with City continuing their unbeaten record in the decider against Sydney FC, adding this year’s title to the ones they earned over the Harbour City side in 2016 and 2018.

Rado Vidošić’s star-studded Melbourne City side started the game as red-hot favourites, with Newcastle Jets, ironically the W League wooden spoonists, the only side they failed to beat after playing out a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season. City went on to win every game from that day forwards.

Sydney started on the front foot with Veronica Latsko making a purposeful run down the left before releasing a cross-shot which went narrowly wide.

In these early stages, it was clear that the New South Wales based underdogs had been sent out by coach Ante Juric to press Melbourne high and get in their faces. On eight minutes, Remy Siemsen danced down the right before cutting inside Emma Checker and firing a curling shot into the arms of Lydia Williams.

Two minutes later there was another opportunity for Sydney when Sofia Huerta’s free kick was headed out by Checker but only as far as Teresa Polias whose effort was wide.

It took thirteen minutes before Melbourne City fashioned their first chance when Catley strode through the midfield but couldn’t find Scottish striker Clare Emslie. Shortly afterwards, the favourites fired a warning shot when Emily van Egmond found Catley down the left, but the Australian international’s shot was over the bar.

On the quarter of an hour mark, City went ahead, but there was a huge slice of fortune about it. A wonderful one-two involving Catley and van Egmond ended with Catley hitting a shot from the left of the box which Aubrey Bledsoe looked to have gathered, but she allowed the ball to squirm out of her grasp and it agonisingly rolled over the line and into the net.

Above: Steph Catley celebrates her match winning goal for Melbourne City. Photo: @MelbourneCity
Link to original photo: https://twitter.com/MelbourneCity/status/1241880032739385346/photo/1

Buoyed by the goal, Melbourne pressed forward and Lauren Barnes crossed in from the left to van Egmond, but the Matildas star’s effort was held by Bledsoe.

Sydney almost gifted City another on thirty two minutes when experienced Australian international Allana Kennedy hit a pass straight to Melbourne striker Clare Emslie, but Bledsoe redeemed herself for the earlier mistake by making a magnificent save to prevent a certain goal. Sydney were on the ropes and two minutes later, they presented another gift to City when Kyah Simon profited and hit a screamer against the bar before Natalie Tobin cleared.

As the half came towards its conclusion, Sydney had strong claims for a penalty turned down. Huerta’s attempted cross cannoned back off the arm of Catley, but inexplicably, referee Rebecca Durcau turned the appeals down.

Three minutes before the interval, the Harbour City side had another great opportunity when Siemsen played in Huerta but Williams dived down to her right to save.

Melbourne City’s teenage star Ellie Carpenter conjured up the first opportunity of the second half when she went on a trademark sprint down the right before cutting inside and firing over.

Veronica Latsko fashioned a golden opportunity for Sydney on forty nine minutes as she lifted an effort over Williams, but the City keeper was able to get a touch to slow down the progress of the ball and allow Carpenter to scramble the danger away.

Above: Melbourne City and Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams gets a hand to Veronica Latsko’s attempted lob which allowed Ellie Carpenter (21) to run back to clear the danger. Photo: @MelbourneCity.
Link to original photo: https://twitter.com/MelbourneCity/status/1241240182579331072/photo/2

That chance inspired the favourites to put their foot on the offensive pedal once more as a catalogue of opportunities were created.

First, Emslie released in-form Melbourne City and Australia striker Kyah Simon, but her shot was narrowly wide of the post. Then Carpenter took the ball from just outside her own box past any number of attempted Sydney tackles before driving past Lindsay Agnew and hitting an effort just past the post.

Carpenter was involved again six minutes later when another run down the right resulted in a cross which was played back to Emily van Egmond, but Bledsoe dived to save.

With ten minutes to go, Sydney created their final chance when Latsko drove down the left and combined with Huerta who squared a ball across the box to substitute Princess Ibini, but her side footed effort was pushed away by Williams.

The final two chances both fell to Melbourne City when new arrival Ally Watt sprinted down the right and fired a weak shot at Bledsoe. The Sydney keeper presented City with a golden opportunity to seal the win a minute into stoppage time when her clearance cannoned straight back off of substitute Milica Mijatovic and rolled just wide.

The final whistle was greeted by raucous cheers from the Melbourne City players and staff, but celebrations were slightly muted by the absence of any fans in the 30,000 seater stadium due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This victory was City’s fourth – a record – to add to their wins in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Sydney remain the second most successful side in the W League with three Grand Final wins – 2010, 2013 and 2019, having played in seven of the twelve title deciders in the league’s history.

Melbourne City deserved their title over the season as they have been a class apart. Steph Catley was by far the most impressive player in the Grand Final, with the 19 year-old Australian superstar Ellie Carpenter celebrating yet another magnificent season.

Above: Melbourne City Women lift the 2019/20 Westfield W League trophy. Photo: @MelbourneCity
Link to original photo: https://twitter.com/MelbourneCity/status/1241261781068075008/photo/1

Teams:

MELBOURNE CITY: Lydia Williams, Rebekah Stott, Emma Checker, Lauren Barnes, Ellie Carpenter, Aivi Luik, Yukari Kinga (Mijatovic: 67), Steph Catley, Kyah Simon (Watt: 85), Clare Emslie, Emily van Egmond. Subs: Melissa Barbieri (GK), Rhali Dobson, Tyla-Jay Vlajnic, Milica Mijatovic, Ally Watt.

Goal: Catley 15.

SYDNEY FC: Aubrey Bledsoe, Ally Green, Allana Kennedy, Ellie Brush, Lindsay Agnew, Natalie Tobin (Sayer: 73), Teresa Polias, Taylor Ray (Hawkesby: 85), Sofia Huerta, Remy Siemsen (Ibini: 62), Veronica Latsko. Subs: Trudy Burke (GK), Mackenzie Hawkesby, Angelique Hristodoulou, Amy Sayer, Princess Ibini.

Referee: Rebecca Durcau.

Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne.

Attendance: Behind closed doors due to Coronavirus.