Eintracht Frankfurt is still being qualified for the new Europa Cup, but thoughts are buzzing about a possible success. The first hurdle on the way to the desired final is waiting on Wednesday.
How quickly the time goes by in football became very clear on Tuesday at the press conference of Eintracht Frankfurt. One day before the premiere of the Hessians in the newly created UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, the participants let their eyes take a look back. In 2002, the 1st FFC Frankfurt was the first German team to win the Champions League (then Women’s Cup). A great success, which, however, no longer all have on the screen.
“I wasn’t born there yet,” said player Lisanne Gräwe before looking at her coach Niko Arnautis: “Were you already a coach at the time?”
Arnautis, who was only 22 years old almost 23 years ago, then with a laugh, emphasized that he had not been in the service of the Eintracht predecessor FFC at the time. But he remember very well and very well. The premiere coup was a historical event and at the same time motivation for the current team. “We can also write history,” he said. Should Eintracht triumph the first time the new competition is held, the entry in the history books would be safe forever.
Eintracht receives Slovacko
Until then, but will even have a chick Gräwe’s birthday again and become 23 years old, and the Eintracht and the trophy still separate ten games. “We have a great chance,” emphasized Arnautis, but at the same time reminded dutiful but also that the competition could not be gained in passing. Already on Wednesday (7 p.m., live in the audio stream at Sportschau.de) the first hurdle is waiting in the second qualification round, Eintracht meets the 1. FC Slovacko from the Czech Republic in the stadium on Brentanobad.
The opponent of Eintracht, who started the season well and is currently in third place in the home table, is no stranger in Hesse. The Czech women were guests at the mini tournament around the Champions League participation in Frankfurt. At that time the hosts won 1-0. “There are still some players from back then. But of course we also have current images and feel well -prepared,” said Arnautis. “We know that everything is required, and we are also ready for that.”
Eintracht ready for the big throw
After the rather bumpy start to the season, including the Champions League playoffs against Real Madrid, Eintracht wants to take the opportunity and cause a sensation in Europe. The stadium will be well filled, plus floodlights. Football heart, what more do you want? “We are really looking forward to this game, international games are always the most beautiful,” said Gräwe, who is also very optimistic about the Europa Cup season. “We don’t just want to play along. We can make it very far.”
Slovacko in front of the chest, the final secretly in the head. Can that go well? “First of all, it is about creating a good starting position,” Arnautis broke all too bold dreams in good time and again focused on the tasks in the present. “We want to show great achievements for ourselves, the club and football Germany and then hibernate in this competition.” Then, yes then, you can also think of May. This month that you will imagine it will increase in the final and second leg.
