UWCL: Fresh Hopes Of Progressions A Week Away From The Start Of Competition

We are one week away from the start of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Birkirkara will be hosting group C4 in the Champions Path in Malta, with RSC Anderlecht, Red Star Belgrade and Breznica Pljevjlja all making the trip to the island.

Birkirkara & Breznica To Meet In Repeat

They had never met before last year, but it seems that now they cannot get enough of each other. Birkirkara and Breznica Pljevlja will meet again in a week’s time, a year on from their first encounter in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Their first battle was decided by an injury-time winner by Edith Garcia Falero for Birkirkara at the Centenary Stadium.

The two will meet in the same venue today week (4th September), under the lights, with the match kicking off at 21:15. It will follow the other match in the group, where Belgian champions, RSC Anderlecht meet the Serbian champions, Red Star Belgrade, with that match kicking off at 17:45.

The winners will meet in the final on Saturday 7th, to decide who progresses to the next round at 21:15, while a match at 17:45 will decide the third-place in the group.

Malta’s champions Birkirkara had a tougher campaign last year, but still managed to secure the treble, thus making the haul in the Maltese football for the season 2024/25. The triumph over Breznica last year marked their second ever victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and a first on home soil. Although the two teams will have familiarity, Birkirkara’s change in head coach, through the introduction of Vince Galea, has brought with it changes, which will make the encounter a fresh one to watch.

As expected both teams have also made changes to their rosters of players, which stirs the pot a bit further. Birkirkara have strengthened with new signings in Yuna Hazekawa and Luana Vitoria Cabral, besides bringing in goalkeeper Maya Cachia and forward Cali Schechinger. All four debuted in a dominant return to the league season against San Gwann. Galea has also shuffled in several youngsters who could debut in the competition this year.

Breznica Pljevlja have announced no less than eight new players for the upcoming season. The list includes the return of Montenegrin player Jelena Vujadinovic, who the club will hope can return to her goalscoring form in the competition. Compatriot Marija Maras is also among the signings, together with Enida Bosnjak, Nela Kolic, Jovana Radovic, Tijana Milisavljevic, Dunja Bojanic and Milijana Pavlovic. Vujadinovic, Radovic and Pavlovic have been among the goalscorers for the team to secure three victories in friendlies against KFK Leotar Trebinje, SFK Libero Goražde and FC Vogošća.

Anderlecht & Red Star Belgrade Seek To Win First Battle

Belgians RSC Anderlecht are well versed in this stage of the competition, having competed consecutively since the 2018/19 season. On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade will be making their first appearance, thus making the first meet between the two teams in the competition.

Anderlecht have history on their side, not just in experience in the competition, but in the fact that they have never failed to win their semi-final tie since the competition adopted its current format in the 2021/22 season. On the other hand, they have never managed to make the next round of matches, with the team coming closest in the 2022/23 season, when they narrowly missed out after losing by 4-3 on penalties against Finnish side KuPS. The match went to penalties after finishing at 2-2 after extra time.

Thus, while Anderlecht will hope to dispatch the newcomers and target a first-ever qualification to the next round under this format, Red Star Belgrade will come with their own agenda of continuing their upward trajectory.

Like others, Anderlecht have bolstered their squad, bringing in Laurie Teinturier from Ligue 1 side, EA Guinamp, and experienced goalkeeper, Hillary Damman, from Standard de Liege in France as well. The side have had two friendlies already, winning by 3-1 against LOSC Femenines, but falling by 3-2 at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.

On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade have managed to retain key players who earned them their maiden triumph. These include UEFA Women’s EURO U19 top scorer, Nina Matejic, as well as Sofija Sremčević who topped the scoring charts as they secured their domestic triumph last season.

They also bolstered their squad with the signing of Nikolina Hadzibazic, Nada Uvalin, Milica Sarid, Fehintola Mabokanje and Philomena Abakah. The Serbian champions won their two pre-season friendlies against ŽFK Radnik and SFK Sarajevo 2000, before opening their domestic league season with a 4-0 victory over TSC.

The semi-finals in the preliminary stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in this group will be played in a week’s time at the Centenary Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase online.

However, before then, Birkirkara’s sight will be set on the second matchday of the Assikura Women’s League which they initiate tomorrow at the Centenary Stadium at 20:15 against Lija Athletic.

Lead Image: Lara Schembri

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