The UEFA Women’s Champions League second qualifying round Group 5 kicked off on Wednesday in Šiauliai, where host Gintra Šiauliai faced Romanian champions FCV Farul Constanța in a highly anticipated semi-final. The Lithuanian champions fought fiercely to secure a 2-1 victory, booking their place in the qualifying tournament final.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava had cruised to a 5-0 win over Georgian champions, setting up a final clash with Gintra on Saturday for the sole spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The opening minutes saw both teams cautiously feeling each other out, with minimal risks taken. Gintra’s Lidiane Ribeiro tested the Farul goalkeeper in the 10th minute, while the Romanians threatened briefly in the 13th minute, only to be repelled by goalkeeper Greta Lukjančukė. Madison Bowers had a promising opportunity in the 21st minute, but failed to control the ball under pressure.
Gintra made an early tactical adjustment when Canadian midfielder Tamara Brown was forced off due to injury in the 27th minute, replaced by Bunmi David. Both teams created sporadic chances before the break, but the first half ended 0-0.
The second half exploded into life, with goals coming early. In the 55th minute, Gintra’s Laura Spenazzatto powered a precise strike past the Farul defense to put the hosts ahead 1-0. However, Farul quickly responded, with Ioana Stancu equalizing in the 63rd minute.
The match remained intensely competitive, with Gintra’s experienced goalkeeper Greta Lukjančukė continuing to command her area and thwart Romanian attacks. Finally, in the 83rd minute, after a clever interception by Brianna Taylor, Lidiane Ribeiro struck to restore Gintra’s lead, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Gintra now prepare for Saturday’s final against Vorskla Poltava, with the winner earning a spot in the next stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Despite a potential defeat in the final, their European journey won’t end here, as this semi-final win has already secured them a place in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup second round.
FC Gintra vs FCV Farul Constanta – 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Laura 55′, Ribeiro 83′ | Stancu 63′
GIN: Lukjančuke, Oluwadamilola, Amorim, Beal, Romanovskaja, Mikutaite, Laura, Ribeiro, Brown (David 27′ Marroquin 80′), Taylor, Bowers
Source: FC Gintra
