Womens Champions League:Glasgow City Continue Journey-Now for Potsdam Turbine

European football has been somewhat of a luxury in Scotland in recent years, with this years' participants Glasgow Rangers & Hearts being eliminated at the qualifying stage before things got exciting.

Even Glasgow Celtic who were reinstated through the backdoor after firstly being dumped by the powerhouse of Switzerland, Sion FC, have failed to ignite any fires. However, there has been one side that are not just still participating, but flying the flag for Scottish Football. 

 Scottish women's champions, Glasgow City FC played the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 32 match tonight in Iceland against powerhouse side Valur Reykjavik knowing that victory by any margin would see them progress to the last 16.

After last weeks 1-1 draw at Petershill in Glasgow, the Scottish side left the country in a buoyant mood, knowing that should they progress, they would meet 1. Turbine Potsdam from Germany who won their tie last night against another Icelandic side.

Despite a howling gale earlier in the day, the weather calmed down for the start of the match. In similar fashion to last weeks' match, the Scot's took the initiative from the first kickoff.

Both sides finished their league campaign at the weekend with differing ends for either side. Glasgow City ran away with the title for the fifth-consecutive time. Whilst Valur Reykjavik lost their title by a mighty 11 points to rivals Stjarnan and this form was to tell during the match.

In the first five minutes, Glasgow dipped their toe in the icy waters of the match with two shots on goal that although saved by Valur's American keeper McCray, set the tempo for the match, giving clear intent of the Scottish sides willingness to win this game.

It was to be another tough physical affair for the Glasgow ladies being fouled at regular, but without serious consequences being handed out by the Hungarian referee.

City in their black away strip, opened the scoring on 10 minutes through a fortuitous own goal after the defender was placed under heavy pressure by the Glasgow sides attackers.

It was the opener that they had hoped for. City placed all the pressure upon their hosts, as the away goal that had been scored last week by Valur had now been cancelled out, putting the Scottish visitors in the ascendancy in the chase for a final 16 spot in the illustrious competition.

Throughout the remainder of the first half, the Valur goal was being peppered with shots. Jane Ross, Jo Love, Lisa Evans, Emma Mitchell and Clare Gemmell all went close with efforts during the first 45 with the possession play on show by the Scots dominating the proceedings.

Last weeks' match saw some very indecisive officiating from the woman in the middle. Today's match was to provide some deja vu moments, that scared the pants of the coaching staff expecting the worst from the decidedly dodgy decisions.

Two shocking free kick offerings to the home sides stunned most in the stadium. Fortunately, justice was done with the dead ball effort doing no harm–unlike last Thursdays strange free kick that ended with a goal.

Just prior to half time, Glasgow City were unlucky not to increase their lead when a Jane Ross thunderbolt unfortunately snapped back off the bar and the scoreline remained at just the one goal.

The second half kicked off the same way the first ended, with the visitors on top with the fouling towards them increasing and verging on the ridiculous. Christine Murray and then Jane Ross hacked without the ref taking any real action against the offending players.

Glasgow answered them back in the best way could, by scoring more goals.

Lisa Evans added tow quick fire goals on the 60th and 62nd minute. This helped cement their lead to make it an almost unassailable mountain for the Icelanders to climb to claw themselves back into the match.

The referee seemed to be missing the point of her job, when once again a shocking tackle upon Christine Murray left her unable to continue and unable to walk from the field of play. For all her effort, Murray was substituted for German Katharina Lindner for the remaining 15 minutes.

The match played itself out without much further incident. The win was roundly celebrated within the visiting ranks of players, coaches and backroom staff as one of skill and adversity over brawn and physique.

The win sends the team into the final 16 with a tie against one of the giants of women's football in Europe.

1. Turbine Potsdam won the competition two seasons ago and also back in 2005. They finished runner-up last season as well, so this will be a tough opposition for the Scots girls, but one they will cherish as they look to progress further in this competition.

Round of 16 draw
(2/3 & 9/10 November)
1. FFC Frankfurt (GER) v Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA, holders) v AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
SV Neulengbach (AUT) v WFC Malmö (SWE)
Fortuna Hjørring (DEN) v Göteborg FC (SWE)
FC Energiya Voronezh (RUS) v FC Rossiyanka (RUS)
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid (ESP) v Arsenal LFC (ENG)
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam (GER) v Glasgow City LFC (SCO)
Brøndby IF (DEN) v ASD Torres CF (ITA)

Here's looking forward to another couple of nights of glory come November!

Glasgow City Thaw the Icelanders to Reach The Last 16 of Champions League