Preview: Can Wolfsburg repeat last year’s success?
Last season, FC Bayern München wrote the headlines in every football newspaper; they had of course won an elusive treble. What was not mentioned often enough in the media was the success of another side which also incidentally hailed from Germany. VfL Wolfsburg had won the treble in style. They had come into the UEFA Champions League as newcomers. In their first trip, they managed to reach the final. Their opponents in the final were none other than the holders, Olympique Lyonnais.
Wolfsburg had a few injury problems and suspensions coming into that final. They employed the only strategy their coach felt was possible at the time; they put in a great defensive display and played on the counter-attack. Their efforts were rewarded handsomely as Martina Müller scored the winning goal to lead them to victory. Müller will take part in this season’s final too. Nadine Kessler and Lena Goessling, the midfield duo which largely makes Wolfsburg tick, are back for a second final in a row as well.
The day will be a special one no matter the outcome for Conny Pohlers. She is the all-time top scorer in this competition, having notched 48 goals in her career in Europe. Pohlers will be retiring following this match. She will surely hope to retire with a second winner’s medal.
In Wolfsburg’s way stands yet another debutant side which has reached the final in Tyresö FF. Tyresö has suffered from plenty of financial problems, resulting in the sale of no less than nine players in the winter transfer window. Of those to be sold in the summer is the brilliant Brazilian Marta, who played in the final with another Swedish side, Umea IK, ten years ago and took home the winner’s medal. Alongside her, top scorer Christen Press and captain Caroline Seger will move on in the summer too. Veronica Boquete is fit after a hamstring issue; this will be her final European match for the Swedish side.
Can Tyresö beat the odds and win this competition? Or will Wolfsburg take home the trophy for a second year in a row?
Where to watch the match: Live Streams, Live Scores, Start Times, TV Channels
Watch Tyresö FF vs VfL Wolfsburg live on Thursday, May 22, 2014
In the UK at 19:30 BST on British EuroSport 1
Internationally on Eurosport International
In Germany, viewers can tune into EuroSport Deutschland and in Sweden, viewers can tune into EuroSport Nordic amongst other networks to watch the match.
For the complete TV listings and live scores upon kick-off, visit the Tyresö-Wolfsburg match page.
*Image courtesy of UEFA.com
