The international success story of Frankfurt women’s football has a Swedish component. It was Steffi Jones and Birgit Prinz who, with their goals, brought the all-women’s football club 1. FFC their triumph in the European Cup, which was played for the first time, in 2002. The opponent in the final was the Swedish representative Umeå IK.
21 years later, the team, which has been operating under the Eintracht umbrella for three and a half years, is still a long way from winning the title again. Since Tuesday evening it has been clear that women’s football “made in Frankfurt” is back among the top European players after a long international dry spell. Thank you for a successful business trip to Sweden.
The 2-1 win at FC Rosengård meant a perfect start to the Hessian Champions League campaign, although overall it wasn’t very convincing. However, the priority was undoubtedly the first three points in the competition for the two quarter-final tickets in Group A. Especially since the SGE team is now less under pressure at the special highlight next Wednesday at home against FC Barcelona and can enjoy the constellation more.
In the parallel game in the 5-0 win against Benfica Lisbon, the Catalan defending champions delivered a playful and at the same time consistent test of work, which can have a frightening effect on (upcoming) opponents. But with the busy schedule of games, Barcelona currently only means the match date after next for the Eintracht women. Before that, this Saturday we have to master the Bundesliga obligation against newly promoted team 1. FC Nürnberg.
Radiant Eintracht women in Malmö
In Malmö, after the final whistle, many SGE players ran across the artificial turf with beaming faces. Some people described just playing in the group phase of the queens’ class as a long-held childhood dream, and winning on this stage tasted particularly sweet. “We are extremely happy,” said coach Niko Arnautis and spoke of a “historic day.” Because: “Unity in the group stage of the Champions League has never happened before.”
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It didn’t bother the successful tour group that their premiere took place in front of a barren backdrop of just under 1,000 spectators. That didn’t stop the Frankfurt team from pushing the Swedes far back from the start. At first it almost seemed like a class difference, the Eintracht women were so dominant in their playfulness and athleticism. The Rosengårder defense had a lot of trouble, especially with the physical play of the in-form Nicole Anyomi.
A ball won by the national striker in the opposing penalty area led to the opening goal by Tanja Pawollek (25th), who has been with the team since 2016 and scoring goals is not actually part of her job profile. Pawollek, ever the good captain, ran straight to her own bench in celebration to celebrate the goal as a joint effort with the reserves.
Five European Cup games, five wins
At this point it seemed very unlikely that Eintracht would have any problems with the Swedish record champions. Especially since Rosengård had just finished the league season in a disappointing seventh place and was also plagued by a number of injury-related absences. The club’s situation as a purely women’s football club that is in danger of being left behind is somewhat reminiscent of the initial situation of 1. FFC Frankfurt before the unification process with Eintracht was initiated. “We forgot to add the second and third goals,” said Arnautis.
What was missed before the break despite a few chances to score and even more promising attacking positions, which were played too inconsistently. And what would have been easier to cope with was Eintracht having verve kept the offensively limited Swedes away from their own goal. Two great chances for Rosengård (63rd and 78th), one of which was a shot against the crossbar, showed how the opening victory suddenly hung by a thread. Barbara Dunst’s important goal (84th), which was urgently needed, provided some relief, as Schough brought the Swedes within 1:2 in stoppage time.
Five European Cup games, five wins – the Eintracht women have now overcome 1. FC Slowacko, Juventus Turin, Sparta Prague and FC Rosengård one after the other. The experience gained will be good for the team. For almost all players, this competition is new personal territory. Of course, it will be a completely different game against the almost overwhelming Barcelona. The takeaway suggested by Barbara Dunst that “we are becoming more efficient in front of the goal” will be just one of several needed. “We want to set an example with Eintracht and survive in this group.”
