Hoffenheim Women enjoy winning Champions League debut
Hoffenheim Frauen will face Italian giants AC Milan on Saturday, after beating Valur Reykjavík 1-0 yesterday in Champions League qualifying.
Hoffenheim Frauen's first appearance in Europe's elite competition got off to an impressive start with a win over Icelandic side Valur Reykjavík in Zurich.
The team from Germany dominated large proportions of the game and got their reward in the 57th minute. Jule Brand drove inside from the left, drifting past four opposition players with ease before unleashing a shot, that could only be deflected into Nicole Billa’s path. The Austrian poked the ball past Sandra Sigurdardottir to give the German side the lead.
Billa’s goal was enough to see Hoffenheim through to what is known as the league path final, in round 1 of qualifying. AC Milan awaits Hoffenheim after the Italian side won 2-1 against FC Zurich, courtesy of two goals from Valentina Giacinti.
If Hoffenheim manages to see off AC Milan on Saturday, then they will move into round 2 of qualifying where fellow German team Wolfsburg will join the competition. Current Frauen-Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich will enter the Champions League in the group stage.