Gintra’s Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign began with defeat as the Lithuanian side let a first-half advantage slip in a 1-2 loss to Scottish champions Hearts in Køge, Denmark.
The Group 7 semi-final started at a high tempo with little early caution, and although Hearts had more of the ball, Gintra matched the physical contest. Captain Algimante Mikutaite fired over after 19 minutes, before Hearts hit the woodwork twice in quick succession around the half-hour mark.
Gintra went in front before the interval when Kristina Pereviznyk’s corner was met by defender Makeila Yancey, who headed in to make it 1-0.
Head coach Artūras Sikorskij changed his side at the break, bringing on Justina Blaževičiūtė for Anni Hakasalo, and the substitute nearly doubled the lead early in the second half after a blistering run past three defenders, only for the Hearts goalkeeper to deny her.
Hearts drew level on 56 minutes from a set-piece as Ellen Dolan headed in, before Kayla Jardine completed the turnaround nine minutes later to put the Scottish side 2-1 up.
Gintra will now play on Saturday for third place, which would keep them in European competition by moving into Women’s Europa Cup qualifying. Their opponents will be Riga FC Women, who in their semifinal lost 1-4 to Danish champions Køge.
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Source: https://www.lff.lt/persvaros-neissaugojusi-gintra-uefa-atrankos-pusfinalyje-nusileido-skotijos-cempionems/
