UEFA Women’s Europa Cup Preview: Hafnarfjarðar vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt will hope to replicate their Frauen-Bundesliga form when they travel to Iceland for the first-leg of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup second qualifying tie. Niko Arnautis’ side won three successive league games since their heartbreak in the Champions League qualifiers against PSG.

Unlike the previous season, when they suffered a heavy defeat to Real Madrid, Frankfurt went all the way to extra-time, but they once again found themselves relegated to the Europa Cup after conceding four goals in 30 minutes while playing with ten.

Frankfurt reached the semi-final of the inaugural Europa Cup season last term before their elimination by the eventual winners BK Häcken. The hosts are in fine form in front of goal as they scored seven goals in their last two games against Hoffenheim and newcomers Mainz.

Hafnarfjarðar qualified for the second round of this competition after a 2-1 aggregate win over Apollon Ladies from Cyprus. They finished second in Iceland’s top-tier league (Besta deild kvenna) ten years after their promotion.

Predicted Lineups

Hafnarfjarðar: Guðmundsdóttir; Björnsdóttir, Smith, Sandoval, Linnet; Helgadóttir, Haraldsdóttir, Hauksdóttir ©, Snorradóttir, Magnúsdóttir; Errington

Frankfurt: Altenburg; Lührßen, Østenstad, Doorsoun, Wolter; Açıkgöz, Ivelj, Freigang ©, Memeti; Tolhoek, Blomqvist