Uefa Women’s Champions League, second qualifying round semi-final
Breiðablik 3
Athlone Town 1
DEFEAT AND DISAPPOINTMENT this afternoon, but Athlone Town’s European adventure will continue in the Netherlands.
Colin Fortune’s side were beaten 3-1 by Icelandic champions Breiðablik in the Uefa Women’s Champions League second qualifying round semi-final at Sportpark Schreurserve, Enschede.
All four goals arrived in the second half: Athlone came from behind to level matters via a Madie Gibson Olimpico, but two goals in a minute ultimately saw Breiðablik prevail from a competitive, even contest.
The excellent Samantha Smith was at the double before Berglind Thorvalsdottir wrapped up the win.
Athlone now face FK Crvena Zvezda (AKA Red Star Belgrade) following their 6-0 defeat to FC Twente this evening, in a third-place play-off on Saturday, with a qualifying spot for the inaugural Europa Cup on the line.
While their Champions League hopes ended, this was another encouraging performance from the debutants and Women’s Premier Division champions — currently unbeaten league leaders — after emphatic wins over Cardiff City and ŽNK Agram.
The first Irish side since Raheny United in 2014/15 to progress from the first qualifying round, they gave a good account of themselves against a side with vast European experience and should take great encouragement towards their Europa Cup bid.
The wait for an Irish side to reach the Champions League group stages — or league phase of the reformatted competition — goes on.
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Athlone settled quickly and started well, with Gibson and Roisin Molloy dancing down the wings and creating openings. They combined for the first real chance of the game, but Molloy couldn’t finish Gibson’s brilliant cross.
Kelly Brady almost broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, but the centre-forward’s dipping effort from outside the box crashed off the post. Izzy Groves was next to go close: the captain really should have done better as she headed a Gibson corner wide.
Roisin Molloy on the ball. Frank Uijlenbroek / INPHO
Frank Uijlenbroek / INPHO / INPHO
Breiðablik, meanwhile, were best on the transition, and they began to string chances together in an open, even encounter. Athlone ‘keeper Megan Plaschko was equal to anything sent her way, Agla María Albertsdóttir particularly threatening as she let fly after a mazy run.
The Midlanders were resolute and disciplined as they soaked up the pressure and then exerted some of their own. They saw a penalty shout waved on in the 34th minute: replays did show Elín Helena Karlsdóttir to have her arm in an unnatural position as she charged down Molloy’s shot, but the vocal travelling support were left aggrieved. Groves sent the follow-up effort straight at Breiðablik ‘keeper Katherine Devine.
Athlone weathered a series of corners before half-time — Plashko getting a hand to one and brilliantly saving a long-range shot off the back of another — but the set-piece would prove their nemesis on the restart.
Albertsdóttir’s corner deliveries were deadly, and the lively Smith snapped home when Plashko uncharacteristically fumbled. 1-0 Breiðablik, 49 minutes.
Athlone tried desperately to respond, and 10 minutes later, they did so through a corner of their own: Gibson looked to have scored directly, making it her third Olimpico in two Champions League games, and she was initially awarded the goal. Groves was announced as the goalscorer at the ground, however, and Uefa later updated their record. Athlone gave it to Gibson, and The 42 also thinks her inswinger went all the way:
59' GOAL!!!
Maddie Gibson scores direct from a corner for the third time in the Champions League! Athlone are back in it!
While things understandably turned cagey with the game on a knife-edge, half-chances were carved out at both ends. Athlone looked to be tiring after their crucial league win over Shelbourne on Saturday, but they shook off some sloppiness and dug deep.
Until the decisive, killer minute arrived.
76 — Smith volleyed home a dangerous cross from the right after Athlone coughed up possession around the middle.
77 — Thorvaldsdóttir curled in from the edge of the box, Smith turning from scorer to provider. Breiðablik’s top goalscorer found an opening amidst several Athlone bodies to bag a superb goal.
Game, set, match.
Cruelly for Athlone, who fought all the way, as Molloy came within inches of a consolation goal late on.
Attention now turns to Saturday, as the European adventure continues in Enschede.
Elsewhere in the Champions League today, Glasgow City lost 2-0 to Austria Wien.
Emily Whelan started for the Scottish side, while fellow Irish international Erin McLaughlin was an unused sub.
Breiðablik: Katherine Devine; Barbára Sól Gísladóttir, Heiðdís Lillýardóttir, Elín Helena Karlsdóttir, Kristín Dís Árnadóttir (Áslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdóttir 72); Samantha Smith (Karitas Tómasdóttir 84), Heida Viðarsdóttir (captain), Andrea Bjarnadóttir; Birta Georgsdóttir (Hrafnhildur Ása Halldórsdóttir 63), Berglind Thorvaldsdóttir, Agla María Albertsdóttir.
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Athlone Town's Champions League hopes ended but European run continues
Updated at 22.45
Uefa Women’s Champions League, second qualifying round semi-final
Breiðablik 3
Athlone Town 1
DEFEAT AND DISAPPOINTMENT this afternoon, but Athlone Town’s European adventure will continue in the Netherlands.
Colin Fortune’s side were beaten 3-1 by Icelandic champions Breiðablik in the Uefa Women’s Champions League second qualifying round semi-final at Sportpark Schreurserve, Enschede.
All four goals arrived in the second half: Athlone came from behind to level matters via a Madie Gibson Olimpico, but two goals in a minute ultimately saw Breiðablik prevail from a competitive, even contest.
The excellent Samantha Smith was at the double before Berglind Thorvalsdottir wrapped up the win.
Athlone now face FK Crvena Zvezda (AKA Red Star Belgrade) following their 6-0 defeat to FC Twente this evening, in a third-place play-off on Saturday, with a qualifying spot for the inaugural Europa Cup on the line.
While their Champions League hopes ended, this was another encouraging performance from the debutants and Women’s Premier Division champions — currently unbeaten league leaders — after emphatic wins over Cardiff City and ŽNK Agram.
The first Irish side since Raheny United in 2014/15 to progress from the first qualifying round, they gave a good account of themselves against a side with vast European experience and should take great encouragement towards their Europa Cup bid.
The wait for an Irish side to reach the Champions League group stages — or league phase of the reformatted competition — goes on.
Athlone settled quickly and started well, with Gibson and Roisin Molloy dancing down the wings and creating openings. They combined for the first real chance of the game, but Molloy couldn’t finish Gibson’s brilliant cross.
Kelly Brady almost broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, but the centre-forward’s dipping effort from outside the box crashed off the post. Izzy Groves was next to go close: the captain really should have done better as she headed a Gibson corner wide.
Breiðablik, meanwhile, were best on the transition, and they began to string chances together in an open, even encounter. Athlone ‘keeper Megan Plaschko was equal to anything sent her way, Agla María Albertsdóttir particularly threatening as she let fly after a mazy run.
The Midlanders were resolute and disciplined as they soaked up the pressure and then exerted some of their own. They saw a penalty shout waved on in the 34th minute: replays did show Elín Helena Karlsdóttir to have her arm in an unnatural position as she charged down Molloy’s shot, but the vocal travelling support were left aggrieved. Groves sent the follow-up effort straight at Breiðablik ‘keeper Katherine Devine.
Athlone weathered a series of corners before half-time — Plashko getting a hand to one and brilliantly saving a long-range shot off the back of another — but the set-piece would prove their nemesis on the restart.
Albertsdóttir’s corner deliveries were deadly, and the lively Smith snapped home when Plashko uncharacteristically fumbled. 1-0 Breiðablik, 49 minutes.
Athlone tried desperately to respond, and 10 minutes later, they did so through a corner of their own: Gibson looked to have scored directly, making it her third Olimpico in two Champions League games, and she was initially awarded the goal. Groves was announced as the goalscorer at the ground, however, and Uefa later updated their record. Athlone gave it to Gibson, and The 42 also thinks her inswinger went all the way:
While things understandably turned cagey with the game on a knife-edge, half-chances were carved out at both ends. Athlone looked to be tiring after their crucial league win over Shelbourne on Saturday, but they shook off some sloppiness and dug deep.
Until the decisive, killer minute arrived.
76 — Smith volleyed home a dangerous cross from the right after Athlone coughed up possession around the middle.
77 — Thorvaldsdóttir curled in from the edge of the box, Smith turning from scorer to provider. Breiðablik’s top goalscorer found an opening amidst several Athlone bodies to bag a superb goal.
Game, set, match.
Cruelly for Athlone, who fought all the way, as Molloy came within inches of a consolation goal late on.
Attention now turns to Saturday, as the European adventure continues in Enschede.
Elsewhere in the Champions League today, Glasgow City lost 2-0 to Austria Wien.
Emily Whelan started for the Scottish side, while fellow Irish international Erin McLaughlin was an unused sub.
Breiðablik: Katherine Devine; Barbára Sól Gísladóttir, Heiðdís Lillýardóttir, Elín Helena Karlsdóttir, Kristín Dís Árnadóttir (Áslaug Munda Gunnlaugsdóttir 72); Samantha Smith (Karitas Tómasdóttir 84), Heida Viðarsdóttir (captain), Andrea Bjarnadóttir; Birta Georgsdóttir (Hrafnhildur Ása Halldórsdóttir 63), Berglind Thorvaldsdóttir, Agla María Albertsdóttir.
Athlone Town: Megan Plaschko; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Natalie McNally, Sarah Rice (Shauna Brennan 87); Izzy Groves (captain) (Kate Slevin 67), Hannah Waesch, Alexis Strickland (Hazel Donegan 87); Róisín Molloy, Kelly Brady, Madie Gibson.
Referee: Anastasia Mylopoulou (Greece).
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Athlone Town Football Match Report Soccer