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Saturday, October 20, 2012

WOMEN'S SOCCER: Marie-Laure Delie double denies England victory over France

Saturday 20 October 2012
Delie double denies England victory
© AFP
Marie-Laure Delie was on target twice as France recovered from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with England in their international friendly at the Charlety Stadium in Paris.
Quickfire goals from Stephanie Houghton and Jill Scott had given Hope Powell’s team a healthy advantage at half-time, but Delie, who plays her club football with Montpellier, single-handedly brought the hosts level.
The draw, which was the visitors’ final match of the calendar year, extended England’s unbeaten run to five games. The French are now three games without defeat, their last reversal coming against Canada in the bronze medal match at London 2012.
France will take on the Netherlands in another friendly on Wednesday, while both teams will be eagerly anticipating the draw for the 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship, which takes place on 9 November.

Arsenal crowned English queens, Frankfurt fire

Tuesday 2 October 2012
Arsenal crowned English queens, Frankfurt fire
© Getty Images
Arsenal maintained their dominance in England by comfortably retaining their title in the second season of the Women’s Super League. In Germany, two heavyweights met, with late drama providing Frankfurt the bragging rights and a potentially pivotal three points.
FIFA.com’s latest round-up in the women’s game also looks at Lyon’s continued excellence in France, plus the latest on Sweden’s thrilling title race.
England: Gunners reign supreme
Arsenal retained their Super League crown in style with a 3-2 victory over Doncaster Belles to claim glory with a match to spare. With nearest challenges Birmingham City held to a 2-2 draw against Bristol Academy, Arsenal stretched their lead at the top to an unassailable eight points. Appropriately enough it was England icon Kelly Smith who scored the winner as the Gunners took their ninth national title overall. Arsenal now have the chance to go through the campaign undefeated, provided they can stave off the challenge of second-placed Birmingham City next weekend.
Top three: Arsenal (33 points), Birmingham City (25), Everton (22)
Germany: Frankfurt late show edges rivals
All eyes were on Potsdam as local side Turbine and FFC Frankfurt played out the latest chapter in their long rivalry. Despite a rocky start to their campaign, which included the departure of coach Sven Kahlert, Frankfurt secured a dramatic win over the champions thanks to Fatmire Bajramaj’s extra-time winner. The win pushed Frankfurt ahead of their rivals in the fledgling table, although Turbine Potsdam have a match in hand. Moving into equal second are a host of teams led by a rapidly improving Wolfsburg. The Lower Saxony side are looking in ominous form having won their two matches without conceding a goal, with the most recent outing being a trip to Jena which resulted in a 3-0 victory, as Conny Pohlers hit a brace. SGS Essen also impressed in defeating Bayern Munich 2-0, with defender Sabrina Dorpinghaus scoring both goals.
Top three: 1.FFC Frankfurt (9 points), Turbine Potsdam, Vfl Wolfsburg, FSV Gutersloh, SGS Essen (all 6)
Sweden: Frontrunners stay strong
Malmo and Tyreso continued their two-horse race with strong victories over the weekend. Tyreso trimmed their rivals' lead to two points with a 4-0 midweek win over AIK, with Marta and Madelaine Edlund both hitting doubles. The second-placed team then backed that up with a 6-0 rout of former league giants Umea, while Malmo were 3-1 victors over Pitea. The pair are set to meet on the final round of the season in a month’s time.
Top three: LdB Malmo (48 points), Tyreso FF (46), Kopparbergs/Gothenburg (32)
France: Lyon roll on
The league table is starting to take on a familiar feel with European champions Lyon taking outright possession of top spot at the weekend. Lyon maintained their perfect start to the campaign by outclassing Toulouse with seven unanswered goals, including a treble from the prolific Eugenie Le Sommer. Last season’s main rivals Juvisy dropped their first points of the campaign after being held to a surprise scoreless draw by visiting Rodez. Montpellier were denied three important points by PSG, with the capital club hitting an injury-time equaliser from Sabrina Delannoy.
Top three: Lyon (12 points), Juvisy, Montpellier (both 10)


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