OL Féminin Says ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Historic European Treble Opportunity

Under-par Lyonnaises can’t keep the Wolves from the door at Stamford Bridge

To paraphrase Gary Lineker, “Football is a simple game; 22 women chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

In recent years, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin have made a mockery of this stereotype, winning Franco-German UEFA Women’s Champions League finals against both Turbine Potsdam (2011) and Frankfurt (2012). But the Leicester-born BBC man’s theory was once again proved accurate last night at Stamford Bridge, as VfL Wolfsburg denied OL an historic third consecutive continental crown with a 1-0 victory.

And during this, the most German of footballing weeks in the English capital, it was apt that the game-winning strike was a perfectly executed penalty. 33 year-old German international Martina Müller slammed her match-winning spot-kick high into the middle of the goal in the 74^th minute, following Laura Georges’ accidental handball.

In truth, Patrice Lair’s troops could have been behind much earlier as they started the game in uncharacteristically lethargic style. Wolfsburg began much the brighter of the two sides, and almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Captain Nadine Keßling hooked an overhead kick just wide of Sarah Bouhaddi’s left-hand post.

The German side, making their tournament debut this season, had the better of the game’s first quarter. Indeed, Amandine Henry’s header and a long-range shot from Lotta Schelin provided Lyon’s only half-chances during the opening exchanges.

Surprisingly for a team with significant experience on the big stage, Lyon looked nervous, misplacing a series of passes. But after Alexandra Popp again went close for VfL following a corner, the French favourites gradually began clawing their way back into the game.

In the 26^th minute, Georges sent a deep cross to the back post. American Olympic gold medallist Megan Rapinoe steered an intelligent header back across the six-yard box, but Swedish star Schelin was prevented a tap-in by opposing defender Ivonne Hartmann. Henry and fellow midfielder Camille Abily then both went close to putting OL ahead, before Abily was harshly penalised when she was adjudged to have kicked the ball out of German ‘keeper Alisa Vetterlein’s grasp.

If Lyon appeared to be getting on top at this stage, they were reminded of the threat posed by Wolfsburg in the 39^th minute. Müller, whose CV already boasts 101 international caps, two World Cup wins, two European Championship titles and an Olympic bronze medal, spanked a piledriver of a shot just wide of Bouhaddi’s upright.

At the half-time break, Lair replaced Rapinoe with versatile Swiss international Lara Dickenmann, who scored in the 2011 final at Craven Cottage. The second half opened with a spell of fast-paced end-to-end football, but with neither team able to provide the final, killer touch. Pacey winger Elodie Thomis began to leave her mark on the game, skinning two defenders in the 50^th minute before crossing just behind Schelin. Then, two minutes later, came one of the game’s biggest talking points.

Abily twisted and turned in the Wolfsburg box before toe-poking the ball onto a German hand. Romanian referee Teodora Albon waved away Lyon’s penalty claims. In the 67^th minute, Lair replaced Abily with young French forward Eugenie Le Sommer in the hope of snatching an all-important goal. Just six minutes later, however, it was Wolfsburg who took the lead.

A cross from the right wing evaded everybody and Georges, whose view was blocked by those JUMPING in front of her, accidently controlled the dropping ball with her arm. Albon pointed to the spot and the ice-cool Müller scored from 12 yards to give her team a crucial lead.

What followed was a prolonged period of Lyon pressure, for which Dickenmann and Henry half-chances were scant reward. The two sides received one yellow card apiece in the closing minutes – the only cautions of a largely fair-fought final – before Louisa Necib’s 94^th minute strike was saved at the second attempt by Vetterlein.

Moments later, the final whistle blew and underdogs Wolfsburg could celebrate a famous and somewhat unexpected victory. The win completed a glorious treble for Ralf Kellermann’s outfit, who had already won the domestic league and cup double this season. Remarkably, the club’s female section had never won a major trophy prior to this most glorious of past fortnights.

For a tired-looking Lyon, this disappointing defea t- their first of the campaign and the first suffered within 90 minutes for 120 games – undoubtedly blots an otherwise sublime season. But the achievement of reaching four consecutive Champions League finals (their record now reads: won 2, lost 2) cannot be taken from them.

And there’s still a chance to finish on a high. After having already sealed a seventh French league title in a row, OL has the opportunity to complete the doublé on 8^th June, when they will defend their Coupe de France title against regional rivals Saint-Etienne.