The 2011/12 UEFA Women's Champions League kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 11, and culminates with the finals on May 17, 2012, in Munich, Germany. This year's competition features 54 teams. Title holders Olympique Lyonnais beat Turbine Potsdam, 2-0, in the 2010/11 Champions League finals.
Aug. 23, 2011
Champions League features intriguing round of 32 matchups
The draw for the final 32 teams in the 2011/12 Women's Champions League was held today in Nyon, Switzerland. Title holders Olympique Lyonnais will take on CFF Olimpia Cluj of Romania. Other notable matches feature runners-up 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam facing Thór/KA of Iceland, Arsenal LFC vs. FC Bobruchanka of Belarus, and 1. FFC Frankfurt vs. Stabæk of Norway.
The entire draw is as follows:
Round of 32 draw
CFF Olimpia Cluj (ROU) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA, holders)
Peamount United (IRL) v Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)
CSHVSM (KAZ) v SV Neulengbach (AUT)
Apollon Limassol LFC (CYP) v AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
PK-35 Vantaa (FIN) v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (ESP)
UPC Tavagnacco (ITA) v WFC Malmö (SWE)
WFC Osijek (CRO) v Göteborg FC (SWE)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) v Valur Reykjavík (ISL)
BSC Young Boys (SUI) v Fortuna Hjørring (DEN)
Thór/KA (ISL) v 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER)
ASA Tel-Aviv FC (ISR) v ASD Torres CF (ITA)
FC Twente (NED) v FC Rossiyanka (RUS)
Bristol Academy WFC (ENG) v FC Energiya Voronezh (RUS)
FC Bobruchanka (BLR) v Arsenal LFC (ENG)
Standard Fémina de Liège (BEL) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Stabæk Football (NOR) v 1. FFC Frankfurt (GER)
Round of 16 draw
Stabæk/Frankfurt v Peamount/PSG
Olimpia Cluj/Lyon v Apollon/Sparta
CSHVSM/Neulengbach v Tavagnacco/Malmö
Young Boys/Fortuna v Osijek/Göteborg
Bristol/Energiya v Twente/Rossiyanka
Vantaa/Rayo v Bobruchanka/Arsenal
Thór/Potsdam v Glasgow/Valur
Standard/Brøndby v Tel-Aviv/Torres
Matches will begin Sept. 28 and 29, with the return leg scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6.
Champions League features intriguing round of 32 matchups
The draw for the final 32 teams in the 2011/12 Women's Champions League was held today in Nyon, Switzerland. Title holders Olympique Lyonnais will take on CFF Olimpia Cluj of Romania. Other notable matches feature runners-up 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam facing Thór/KA of Iceland, Arsenal LFC vs. FC Bobruchanka of Belarus, and 1. FFC Frankfurt vs. Stabæk of Norway.
The entire draw is as follows:
Round of 32 draw
CFF Olimpia Cluj (ROU) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA, holders)
Peamount United (IRL) v Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)
CSHVSM (KAZ) v SV Neulengbach (AUT)
Apollon Limassol LFC (CYP) v AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
PK-35 Vantaa (FIN) v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (ESP)
UPC Tavagnacco (ITA) v WFC Malmö (SWE)
WFC Osijek (CRO) v Göteborg FC (SWE)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) v Valur Reykjavík (ISL)
BSC Young Boys (SUI) v Fortuna Hjørring (DEN)
Thór/KA (ISL) v 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER)
ASA Tel-Aviv FC (ISR) v ASD Torres CF (ITA)
FC Twente (NED) v FC Rossiyanka (RUS)
Bristol Academy WFC (ENG) v FC Energiya Voronezh (RUS)
FC Bobruchanka (BLR) v Arsenal LFC (ENG)
Standard Fémina de Liège (BEL) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Stabæk Football (NOR) v 1. FFC Frankfurt (GER)
Round of 16 draw
Stabæk/Frankfurt v Peamount/PSG
Olimpia Cluj/Lyon v Apollon/Sparta
CSHVSM/Neulengbach v Tavagnacco/Malmö
Young Boys/Fortuna v Osijek/Göteborg
Bristol/Energiya v Twente/Rossiyanka
Vantaa/Rayo v Bobruchanka/Arsenal
Thór/Potsdam v Glasgow/Valur
Standard/Brøndby v Tel-Aviv/Torres
Matches will begin Sept. 28 and 29, with the return leg scheduled for Oct. 5 and 6.
Aug. 16, 2011
Group Phase Ends, Now Onto Knockout Round
By Olaf Goldbecker
The first round of this Champions League campaign has been played. UEFA changed the structure a little and gave the best countries an automatic bye in the first round, while in the past only the champions of these countries did not have to play. This usually led to very clear results and hardly any surprises – neglecting last year’s sensation when Apollon Limassol from Cyprus kicked out Europe’s powerhouse Umea IK – so UEFA decided to keep the ‘smaller’ countries together and have them play the group stage by themselves. This little showcase in groups of four played at one venue within the last days, proved to be an interesting mixture with more tension than before, and it definitely featured some surprises.
Group 1: Young Boys Bern (Switzerland)
Switzerland (#19) is known to have produced some talents who quickly leave their home country to develop, which leads to a rather weak domestic league. Champion Young Boys Bern was expected to be in a battle with Greece’s (#20) permanent representatives PAOK Saloniki, who made it pretty far last year. Macedonian (#41) club ZFK Nahse Taksi as well as Moldova’s (#37) Goliador Chisinau were the clear outsiders. The latter ones really were also rans, but disappointing Saloniki was the big surprise in this group after only finishing third.
Group 2: ASA Tel Aviv (Israel)
Big surprise in this group: Israel’s (#32) ASA Tel Aviv survived the group stage for the first time ever, and profited from the draw of Portugal’s (#26) eternal champions 1° Su Decembro and Hungary’s (#21) MTK Budapest, who both started the tournament rated higher. The Latvian from Liepaja were also rans as expected.
Group 3: Rayo Vallecano (Spain), Peamount United (Ireland)
Spain was the most prominent country which had to qualify through the group stage. They did not disappoint and won all three of their games. Irish Peamount United proved Ireland’s positive tendency of the recent years and qualified as one of the two best second-placed teams for the next round. Of course they also profited from having a rather weak group with Estonian Pärnu and Slovenia’s Krka.
Group 4: Olimpia Cluj (Romania)
No surprise also in this round. Romania’s champion Olimipia Cluj securely won the group ahead of Bosnia’s Sarajevo. Turkey’s women’s soccer is still stagnating - Atasehir Belediyesi collected its only point against Lithuanian club Gintra Universitatea.
Group 5: Glasgow City LFC (Scotland)
A very sovereign performance of the Scottish champion Glasgow City did not leave their opponents a chance in this group. Three wins, 17-0 goals, cared for a safe win ahead of Serbia’s Spartak Subotica. KI Keflavik from the Faroe Islands won its first game, then lost two, while Malta’s Mosta was left point and goalless.
Group 6: PK 35 Vantaa (Finland)
The most interesting group was won by Finnish champions PK Vantaa. They finished one point ahead of Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia and three points ahead of group favorite Unia Racziborcz from Poland. KS Ada from Albania was not competitive.
Group 7: Apollon Limassol (Cyprus)
Cypriot champions Apollon Limassol confirmed their surprise coup from last year and marched through the group stage. Ukraine’s Legenda Chernigiv was kept on distance, as well as Swansea City from Wales and Progres Niedercorn from Luxembourg.
Group 8: ZNK Osijek (Croatia), FC Bobruichanka Bobruisk (Belarus)
Positive signs from Croatia, which did not have many successes in women’s soccer so far: ZNK Osijek qualified for the main competition and put FC Bobruichanka Bobruisk as well as Bulgaria’s NSA Sofia on distance. Northern Irish Crusaders FC were without chance. The Belarusians qualified as second best second-placed team.
The new mode cared for closer games in the Champions League group stage, but still a bigger discrepancy cannot be denied. UEFA would be well advised to think about pre-qualifiers for weaker nations and do the qualifying tournaments with less groups to raise the level of play. For the top clubs, it is a pity that they are only allowed to play knockout stages instead of having attractive group games like in the men’s competition.
The eight group winners and two best second-placed teams are joining these seeded clubs:
Austria: SV Neulengbach
Belgium: Standard de Liege
Czech Republic: Sparta Prague
Denmark: Brondby IF, Fortuna Hjorring
England: Arsenal LFC, Bristol Academy WFC
France: Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St Germain
Germany: 1.FFC Frankfurt, 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam
Iceland: Thor/KA Akureyri, Valur Reykjavik
Italy: UPC Tavagnacco, Sassari Torres
Kazakhstan: Alma KTZH
Netherlands: FC Twente Enschede
Norway: Stabaek IF
Russia: ZFC Rossiyanka, Engergyia Voronezh
Sweden: Kopparbergs/Gothenburg FC, LdB FC Malmo
Group Phase Ends, Now Onto Knockout Round
By Olaf Goldbecker
The first round of this Champions League campaign has been played. UEFA changed the structure a little and gave the best countries an automatic bye in the first round, while in the past only the champions of these countries did not have to play. This usually led to very clear results and hardly any surprises – neglecting last year’s sensation when Apollon Limassol from Cyprus kicked out Europe’s powerhouse Umea IK – so UEFA decided to keep the ‘smaller’ countries together and have them play the group stage by themselves. This little showcase in groups of four played at one venue within the last days, proved to be an interesting mixture with more tension than before, and it definitely featured some surprises.
Group 1: Young Boys Bern (Switzerland)
Switzerland (#19) is known to have produced some talents who quickly leave their home country to develop, which leads to a rather weak domestic league. Champion Young Boys Bern was expected to be in a battle with Greece’s (#20) permanent representatives PAOK Saloniki, who made it pretty far last year. Macedonian (#41) club ZFK Nahse Taksi as well as Moldova’s (#37) Goliador Chisinau were the clear outsiders. The latter ones really were also rans, but disappointing Saloniki was the big surprise in this group after only finishing third.
Group 2: ASA Tel Aviv (Israel)
Big surprise in this group: Israel’s (#32) ASA Tel Aviv survived the group stage for the first time ever, and profited from the draw of Portugal’s (#26) eternal champions 1° Su Decembro and Hungary’s (#21) MTK Budapest, who both started the tournament rated higher. The Latvian from Liepaja were also rans as expected.
Group 3: Rayo Vallecano (Spain), Peamount United (Ireland)
Spain was the most prominent country which had to qualify through the group stage. They did not disappoint and won all three of their games. Irish Peamount United proved Ireland’s positive tendency of the recent years and qualified as one of the two best second-placed teams for the next round. Of course they also profited from having a rather weak group with Estonian Pärnu and Slovenia’s Krka.
Group 4: Olimpia Cluj (Romania)
No surprise also in this round. Romania’s champion Olimipia Cluj securely won the group ahead of Bosnia’s Sarajevo. Turkey’s women’s soccer is still stagnating - Atasehir Belediyesi collected its only point against Lithuanian club Gintra Universitatea.
Group 5: Glasgow City LFC (Scotland)
A very sovereign performance of the Scottish champion Glasgow City did not leave their opponents a chance in this group. Three wins, 17-0 goals, cared for a safe win ahead of Serbia’s Spartak Subotica. KI Keflavik from the Faroe Islands won its first game, then lost two, while Malta’s Mosta was left point and goalless.
Group 6: PK 35 Vantaa (Finland)
The most interesting group was won by Finnish champions PK Vantaa. They finished one point ahead of Slovan Bratislava from Slovakia and three points ahead of group favorite Unia Racziborcz from Poland. KS Ada from Albania was not competitive.
Group 7: Apollon Limassol (Cyprus)
Cypriot champions Apollon Limassol confirmed their surprise coup from last year and marched through the group stage. Ukraine’s Legenda Chernigiv was kept on distance, as well as Swansea City from Wales and Progres Niedercorn from Luxembourg.
Group 8: ZNK Osijek (Croatia), FC Bobruichanka Bobruisk (Belarus)
Positive signs from Croatia, which did not have many successes in women’s soccer so far: ZNK Osijek qualified for the main competition and put FC Bobruichanka Bobruisk as well as Bulgaria’s NSA Sofia on distance. Northern Irish Crusaders FC were without chance. The Belarusians qualified as second best second-placed team.
The new mode cared for closer games in the Champions League group stage, but still a bigger discrepancy cannot be denied. UEFA would be well advised to think about pre-qualifiers for weaker nations and do the qualifying tournaments with less groups to raise the level of play. For the top clubs, it is a pity that they are only allowed to play knockout stages instead of having attractive group games like in the men’s competition.
The eight group winners and two best second-placed teams are joining these seeded clubs:
Austria: SV Neulengbach
Belgium: Standard de Liege
Czech Republic: Sparta Prague
Denmark: Brondby IF, Fortuna Hjorring
England: Arsenal LFC, Bristol Academy WFC
France: Olympique Lyonnais, Paris St Germain
Germany: 1.FFC Frankfurt, 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam
Iceland: Thor/KA Akureyri, Valur Reykjavik
Italy: UPC Tavagnacco, Sassari Torres
Kazakhstan: Alma KTZH
Netherlands: FC Twente Enschede
Norway: Stabaek IF
Russia: ZFC Rossiyanka, Engergyia Voronezh
Sweden: Kopparbergs/Gothenburg FC, LdB FC Malmo
Aug. 11, 2011
The Champions League and the Five-Year Standings
By Olaf Goldbecker
The 2011/12 Champions League seasons opens with the qualifiers of the lower rated countries. The big favorites will enter the competition after the group stage. Naturally, the favorites are considered to be title defenders Olympique Lyonnais. 1.FFC Frankfurt, rather than Turbine Potsdam, is the favorite in Germany. The Swedish clubs are always good to make it far, as well as Arsenal LFC (England). Yet the current season is not only interesting in terms of who is winning. The whole five-year standings deliver a surprising picture at the beginning of this season.
This ranking determines the number of Champions League starters of each nation, and it determines when the clubs have to start in the competition. The only criteria for this ranking are the results of the last five years, or to be precise: the last four plus the result of the current campaign. Traditionally it was a battle between Germany and Sweden for the top, but things have changed lately. Sweden needs to play a fantastic season to only keep track with Germany and the new No. 2, France. Even Russia passed Sweden and moved the league to No.4 in Europe.
While those spots are just for the prestige, the rank that really matters is No. 8. The top eight nations get two starters in the league, the ones below get only one. For the 2011/12 season, Iceland qualified to have two starters, but for 2012/13 they already lost their spot to Norway. The current Champions League campaign will decide for the 2013/14 starters and there could be astonishing results. The top seven nations are pretty much determined. Denmark would have to play a horrible season to be endangered. Yet as of now surprisingly Austria would clinch the eighth spot with a 2.5 pts lead over Norway. Also, Czech Republic and lately improving Spain have chances, while for Iceland it is not looking good to regain old glories.
Here are the current top 15 of the Euro rankings. In brackets are the final standings of the last season before losing the points from 2006/07:
1 (1) Germany, 65.666 pts
2 (3) France, 63 pts
3 (4) Russia, 50 pts
4 (2) Sweden, 47 pts
5 (5) England, 35 pts
6 (7) Italy, 33 pts
7 (6) Denmark, 27 pts
8 (10) Austria, 22 pts
---
9 (8) Norway, 19.5 pts
10 (14) Czech Republic, 19 pts
11 (11) Spain, 18.5 pts
12 (9) Iceland, 16.5 pts
13 (12) Belgium, 15 pts
13 (13) Netherlands, 15 pts
15 (15) Kazakhstan, 14 pts
The Champions League and the Five-Year Standings
By Olaf Goldbecker
The 2011/12 Champions League seasons opens with the qualifiers of the lower rated countries. The big favorites will enter the competition after the group stage. Naturally, the favorites are considered to be title defenders Olympique Lyonnais. 1.FFC Frankfurt, rather than Turbine Potsdam, is the favorite in Germany. The Swedish clubs are always good to make it far, as well as Arsenal LFC (England). Yet the current season is not only interesting in terms of who is winning. The whole five-year standings deliver a surprising picture at the beginning of this season.
This ranking determines the number of Champions League starters of each nation, and it determines when the clubs have to start in the competition. The only criteria for this ranking are the results of the last five years, or to be precise: the last four plus the result of the current campaign. Traditionally it was a battle between Germany and Sweden for the top, but things have changed lately. Sweden needs to play a fantastic season to only keep track with Germany and the new No. 2, France. Even Russia passed Sweden and moved the league to No.4 in Europe.
While those spots are just for the prestige, the rank that really matters is No. 8. The top eight nations get two starters in the league, the ones below get only one. For the 2011/12 season, Iceland qualified to have two starters, but for 2012/13 they already lost their spot to Norway. The current Champions League campaign will decide for the 2013/14 starters and there could be astonishing results. The top seven nations are pretty much determined. Denmark would have to play a horrible season to be endangered. Yet as of now surprisingly Austria would clinch the eighth spot with a 2.5 pts lead over Norway. Also, Czech Republic and lately improving Spain have chances, while for Iceland it is not looking good to regain old glories.
Here are the current top 15 of the Euro rankings. In brackets are the final standings of the last season before losing the points from 2006/07:
1 (1) Germany, 65.666 pts
2 (3) France, 63 pts
3 (4) Russia, 50 pts
4 (2) Sweden, 47 pts
5 (5) England, 35 pts
6 (7) Italy, 33 pts
7 (6) Denmark, 27 pts
8 (10) Austria, 22 pts
---
9 (8) Norway, 19.5 pts
10 (14) Czech Republic, 19 pts
11 (11) Spain, 18.5 pts
12 (9) Iceland, 16.5 pts
13 (12) Belgium, 15 pts
13 (13) Netherlands, 15 pts
15 (15) Kazakhstan, 14 pts
Aug. 10, 2011
UEFA Women's Champions League begins
Three months after Lyon topped Potsdam in the 2011 Champions League final at Craven Cottage in London, the Champions League has returned. The 2011/12 edition features three more teams than last year's 51-team field. On Thursday, Aug. 11, group play begins in eight countries around Europe. Group 6, consisting of RTP Unia Racibórz (Poland), PK-35 Vantaa (Finland), ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Slovenia), and KS Ada (Albania) will be hosted in Helsinki, Finland.
"The team is very excited and is confident going into the three upcoming Champions League matches. We are thrilled to host the tournament and play in front of a home crowd in our own stadium," PK-35 Vantaa keeper Lauren Johnston said. "There are many girls who have had the opportunity to play in the Champions League or for their national team, but for some it's their first real chance to compete at the international level. Whatever the experience level of the player, each and every one of us knows we will be up against some tough competition, but if we stick to our style of play and come together as a team we will be successful in this tournament."
PK-35 opens with KS Ada. Also in Group 6 Thursday, ŠK Slovan Bratislava takes on RTP Unia Racibórz. All eight groups will be in action on Thursday. In Group 1, host team ZFK Nase Taksi-SNT 2010 (Macedonia) plays Young Boys (Switzerland), and FC PAOK (Greece) takes on CS Galiador-SS 11 Chisinau (Moldova). In other action on Thursday - Group 2: SU 1 ° Dezembro (Portugal) hosts ASA Tel-Aviv FC (Israel), and MTK Hungária FC (Hungary) plays SK Liepājas Metalurgs (Latvia). Group 3: ŽNK Krka (Slovenia) hosts Pärnu FC (Estonia), and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (Spain) plays Peamount United (Ireland).
Group 4: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosts WFC SFK 2000 Sarajevo take on Olimpia Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and Gintra Universitetas (Lithuania) plays Ataşehir Belediyespor (Turkey). Group 5: Glasgow City LFC (Scotland) takes on hosts ŽFK Spartak Jaffa (Serbia), and KÍ Klaksvík (Faroe Islands) faces Mosta FC (Malta). Group 7: FC Progrès Niedercorn (Luxembourg) plays the host team Apollon Limassol LFC (Cyprus), and Swansea City Ladies AFC (Wales) plays Legenda Chernigiv (Ukraine). Group 8: home side WFC Osijek (Croatia) faces FC NSA Sofia (Bulgaria), and FC Bobruchanka (Belaurs) plays Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers (Northern Ireland).
The qualifying round wraps up Aug. 16, and on Aug. 23, the Round of 32 begins. As for Johnston, she likes her team's chances and is looking forward to her first-ever Champions League match.
"This is my first Champions League, and I am stoked about the opportunity," Johnston said. "Since the tournament is being held in Helsinki, it's a great chance to generate more public attention for women's soccer in Finland. Also it gives the Finnish girls an opportunity to play against some of Europe's top players, which in turn will only improve the quality of Finnish football. This a rare yet thrilling experience for any soccer player and I'm honored to be apart of it."
UEFA Women's Champions League begins
Three months after Lyon topped Potsdam in the 2011 Champions League final at Craven Cottage in London, the Champions League has returned. The 2011/12 edition features three more teams than last year's 51-team field. On Thursday, Aug. 11, group play begins in eight countries around Europe. Group 6, consisting of RTP Unia Racibórz (Poland), PK-35 Vantaa (Finland), ŠK Slovan Bratislava (Slovenia), and KS Ada (Albania) will be hosted in Helsinki, Finland.
"The team is very excited and is confident going into the three upcoming Champions League matches. We are thrilled to host the tournament and play in front of a home crowd in our own stadium," PK-35 Vantaa keeper Lauren Johnston said. "There are many girls who have had the opportunity to play in the Champions League or for their national team, but for some it's their first real chance to compete at the international level. Whatever the experience level of the player, each and every one of us knows we will be up against some tough competition, but if we stick to our style of play and come together as a team we will be successful in this tournament."
PK-35 opens with KS Ada. Also in Group 6 Thursday, ŠK Slovan Bratislava takes on RTP Unia Racibórz. All eight groups will be in action on Thursday. In Group 1, host team ZFK Nase Taksi-SNT 2010 (Macedonia) plays Young Boys (Switzerland), and FC PAOK (Greece) takes on CS Galiador-SS 11 Chisinau (Moldova). In other action on Thursday - Group 2: SU 1 ° Dezembro (Portugal) hosts ASA Tel-Aviv FC (Israel), and MTK Hungária FC (Hungary) plays SK Liepājas Metalurgs (Latvia). Group 3: ŽNK Krka (Slovenia) hosts Pärnu FC (Estonia), and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (Spain) plays Peamount United (Ireland).
Group 4: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosts WFC SFK 2000 Sarajevo take on Olimpia Cluj-Napoca (Romania), and Gintra Universitetas (Lithuania) plays Ataşehir Belediyespor (Turkey). Group 5: Glasgow City LFC (Scotland) takes on hosts ŽFK Spartak Jaffa (Serbia), and KÍ Klaksvík (Faroe Islands) faces Mosta FC (Malta). Group 7: FC Progrès Niedercorn (Luxembourg) plays the host team Apollon Limassol LFC (Cyprus), and Swansea City Ladies AFC (Wales) plays Legenda Chernigiv (Ukraine). Group 8: home side WFC Osijek (Croatia) faces FC NSA Sofia (Bulgaria), and FC Bobruchanka (Belaurs) plays Crusaders Newtownabbey Strikers (Northern Ireland).
The qualifying round wraps up Aug. 16, and on Aug. 23, the Round of 32 begins. As for Johnston, she likes her team's chances and is looking forward to her first-ever Champions League match.
"This is my first Champions League, and I am stoked about the opportunity," Johnston said. "Since the tournament is being held in Helsinki, it's a great chance to generate more public attention for women's soccer in Finland. Also it gives the Finnish girls an opportunity to play against some of Europe's top players, which in turn will only improve the quality of Finnish football. This a rare yet thrilling experience for any soccer player and I'm honored to be apart of it."
