By Olaf Goldbecker
Olympique Lyonnais cared for an end of the German dominance in the Women’s Champions League. With a 2-0 win against Turbine Potsdam, they took revenge for the loss after a penalty shootout in the previous season. It was Olympique’s and France’s first international club title in women’s soccer.
The German title holders started well into the game and had the first scoring opportunity after just six minutes. Isabel Kerschowski was free at the corner of the six-yard line after a cross from the left wing, but Sarah Bouhaddi in Lyon’s goal was able to stop the shot (this one turned out to be Potsdam’s only shot on goal in the first 45 minutes).
The French side slowly found their way into the game and set a first exclamation point when Louisa Necib hit the post with a direct corner kick. Last year’s matchwinner, Potsdam keeper Anna Sarholz, did not look good in this scene and she continued giving her team no safety.
Lyon took more and more control without really creating scoring opportunities. This changed in the 27th minute when again a corner kick sailed through the six-yard box, the Olympique put the ball back in front of the goal. While Lotta Schelin’s attempt bounced off of Sarholz, it was Wendie Renard’s rebound that rolled over the goal line to give Lyon a deserved half time lead.
Right after the break, Potsdam’s right back Inka Wesely had the tying chance when a cross found her in a good heading position, but the attempt turned out to be a return to the keeper. The game continued similar to the first half – Lyon controlled most of the game, and chances were rare. This changed after about an hour. Isabel Kerschowski had a big chance, but Bouhaddi showed a great reaction and stopped the shot. Only two minutes later, a big mistake by goal scorer Renard allowed Anja Mittag to stand freely in front of the wide open net, but the German striker was too surprised and failed to hit the ball.
Olympique did not have many chances offensively in the second half. Yet in minute 82nd minute, Lotta Schelin almost decided the game when she sprinted in a slow ball flying to Sarholz, who hesitated too long to catch it. Schelin reached the ball, but could not control it anymore. With five minutes left on the clock, Swiss international Lara Dickenmann cared for the decision. Inka Wesely timed her attempt to clear a cross badly, and Dickenmann sent the ball into the net with a nice shot.
Olympique Lyonnais: Bouhaddi – Bompastor, Georges, Renard, Viguier – Cruz Trana, Henry – Thomis (73 Le Sommer), Necib (55 Dickenmann), Abily – Schelin
Turbine Potsdam: Sarholz – Wesely, Peter, Henning – Schmidt, Zietz, Odebrecht, Kemme – I Kerschowski, Mittag, Bajramaj
Goals: 1-0 Renard (27 Henry), 2-0 Dickenmann (85 Schelin)
Yellow: Abily