DFB-Pokal Frauen
Top favourites VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich have won their German Women’s Cup (DFB-Pokal der Frauen) semi-finals on Sunday to set-up a mouth-watering final at the RheinEnergieSTADION in Cologne on May 19, 2018.
Defending cup champions and Women’s Bundesliga league leaders VfL Wolfsburg kept their hopes alive to win a continental treble after their 4-1 win against SGS Essen. Wolfsburg dominated the first half, while Caroline Hansen (17′) and Pernille Harder (42′) found the back of the net to secure the hosts a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Denmark international Harder increased the lead at the AOK Stadion with her second goal of the match in the 47th minute. SGS Essen reduced the margin in the 58th minute when substitute Sarah Freutel put the ball past VfL goalkeeper Almuth Schult.
Essen increased the pressure and pushed hard for another goal, but Iceland star Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (87′) sealed the 4:1 win for Wolfsburg in front of 1,540 fans.
FC Bayern Munich booked their place in the cup final with a 3-1 win against 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam. Bayern, who won the Women’s DFB-Pokal in 2012, took the lead in the 28th minute, when Germany international Leonie Maier slotted home from close range.
Carina Wenninger increased the lead just one minute into the second half, while Nicole Rolser made it 3-0 for Bayern in the 86th minute.
Turbine Potsdam reduced the magin in the 89th minute, when Lara Prasnikar scored a consolation goal for the visitors in front of 1,184 fans at the Stadion an der Grünwalder Straße.