First French win
May 27, 2011
Olympique Lyon won the women's Champions League at London's Craven Cottage stadium on Thursday, beating Turbine Potsdam 2-0, and avenging their loss on penalties in last year's identical final.
The German defending champions started strongly but were quickly put on the back foot by their French rivals, who looked particularly dangerous from set pieces in the early going. And the opening goal in the 27th minute laid Potsdam's defensive frailties bear; Lyon defender Wendie Renard was perfectly placed to capitalize on poor defending from a corner and stab the ball in from close range.
Swiss substitute Lara Dickenmann put the result beyond any doubt five minutes from time, finishing in style having been afforded plenty of space in the Potsdam penalty area.
"Last year we fell just short, but we worked hard all season and have now achieved our goal," Dickenmann said amid the post-match celebrations.
Disappointing farewell for Bajramaj
German international attacker Fatmire "Lira" Bajramaj was playing her last ever match for Potsdam before transferring across to Frankfurt, although she will be reunited with several of her current teammates playing for the national team in the World Cup in Germany this summer.
"We quickly conceded the opening and rather soft goal, but having spurned several clear-cut chances, we have ourselves to blame," the 23-year-old born in what is now Kosovo lamented. "My feelings are difficult to describe, but I would have so liked to secure the title in my farewell fixture."
Potsdam's best chance of the game arguably fell to striker Anja Mittag, who missed what would have been an equalizer from close range on 65 minutes.
UEFA President Michel Platini handed out the medals after the match, offering glowing praise for the two undisputed powerhouses of women's club soccer.
"Both these teams outshone all their opponents this season, once again," Platini wrote in the match program.
Lyon do the double
Platini's pre-match praise was entirely justified. Both sides were fighting for the double, having won their respective domestic league titles this season. Lyon are the first French side to claim the Champions League in the ten years since its inception. Potsdam have twice won the title, but Bajrmaj's new club Frankfurt have a trio of triumphs to their name, the most recent in 2008.
Most of the players competing at Craven Cottage on Thursday will be back in action on German soil in just under a month's time, when the women's World Cup kicks off on June 26. France face Nigeria in Sinsheim in the opening fixture, with two-time defending champions and hosts Germany facing Canada at Berlin's Olympic stadium later that evening.
Author: Mark Hallam
Editor: John Kluempers