The UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final lineup is complete; meet the sides who are battling to reach the Berlin final.
Quarter-final draw (21/22 & 28/29 March)
1. FFC Frankfurt (GER) v Bristol Academy WFC (ENG)
VfL Wolfsburg (GER, holders) v FC Rosengård (SWE)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Linköpings FC (SWE) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Semi-final draw (18/19 & 25/26 April)
Wolfsburg/Rosengård v Glasgow/Paris
Frankfurt/Bristol v Linköpings/Brøndby
Final (Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, Berlin): 18.00CET, 14 May
Winner semi-final 2 v Winner semi-final 1
1. FFC Frankfurt (GER)
Best performance: winners 2002, 2006, 2008
Quarter-final record: W6 L2
Top scorer: Célia Šašic 6
The sole three-time winners are back after a two-year absence and chasing a fourth title. A 9-0 elimination of quarter-final regulars ASD Torres Femminile Sassari in the last 16 was proof of their strength, Célia Šašic getting two goals in both legs.
This summer established names like Kerstin Garefrekes, Kim Kulig, Simome Laudehr, Dzsenifer Marozsán and Šašic were joined by Wales midfielder Jessica Fishlock (formerly of both Bristol and Glasgow) and Spain forward Verónica Boquete after Wolfsburg pipped them to the German championship on the final day.
Bristol Academy WFC (ENG)
Best performance: first quarter-final
Top scorers: Natasha Harding, Natalia, Nikki Watts 2
England, like Germany and Sweden, have never failed to have a quarter-finalist but Bristol, seventh in the eight-team FA WSL this year, are not one of the league's most fashionable club. Nevertheless, they eliminated 2013/14 quarter-finalists FC Barcelona in the last 16, winning 1-0 at Mini Estadi then drawing 1-1 at home thanks to a late Nikki Watts penalty.
That was a gutsy display against a talented Barcelona team but the side built by Mark Sampson and, after he became England manager this year, maintained by Dave Edmonson, are used to upsetting the odds. There is a strong Welsh core to the team in Loren Dykes, Sophie Ingle and Angharad James, not to mention Spanish talent in Natalia and Laura del Río.
VfL Wolfsburg (GER, holders)
Best performance: winners 2013, 2014
Quarter-final record: W2 L0
Top scorer: 6 players on 2 goals
After 22 European matches, Wolfsburg are yet to lose as they seek an unprecedented third straight title to equal Frankfurt's overall record. Norway's Stabæk Fotball gave the a stern test in the round of 32 but in the last 16 SV Neulengbach, quarter-finalists last season, were blown away 11-0 on aggregate.
Most of Ralf Kellermann's squad are familiar from their one or both of their previous triumphs, Almuth Schult in goal, Nilla Fischer in defence, Lena Goessling and the currently injured Nadine Kessler in midfield and evergreen Martina Müller and Alexandra Popp up front. Joining them this season have been Germany defender Babett Peter (from Frankfurt), Vanessa Bernauer and Isabel Kerschowski in midfield and prodigious Norway forward Caroline Graham Hansen.
©Fodboldfoto.dk Marta against FortunaFC Rosengård (SWE)
Best performance: semi-finals 2004
Quarter-final record: W1 L2
Top scorer: Anja Mittag 4
The name is new but not the club. As FC Malmö they made the quarter-finals in 2011/12 and 2012/13 before falling to Wolfsburg in the last 16 a year later. Their draw was not easy this time either, having to overcome Russia's Ryazan-VDV and Danish champions Fortuna Hjørring.
The squad already contained stars like Swiss playmaker Ramona Bachmann, 200-cap Sweden midfielder Therese Sjögran and Germany forward Anja Mittag, who is within three goals of Conny Pohlers's competition record of 45. Then in the summer they added Brazil striker Marta, who helped Tyresö FF to the final last season.
Glasgow City FC (SCO)
Best performance: first quarter-final
Top scorer: Joanne Love 2
Scotland's first quarter-finalists did it the hard way, scoring twice in the last nine minutes of a thrilling tie against FC Zürich Frauen to ensure Glasgow would be the only qualifying round survivors in the draw. In the round of 32 they overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to KKPK Medyk Konin, winning in extra time at their European home, the Excelsior Stadium.
The team that comfortably clinched a ninth straight Scottish title and completed the treble at the weekend by beating Spartans LFC 5-0 in the Scottish Women's Cup final are naturally made up of domestic talent like Joanne Love – whose brilliant goal turned the tide against Zürich – Eilish McSorley and Leanne Ross. Added to that they have Republic of Ireland striker, Denise O'Sullivan, giving flair to a well-organised side though goalkeeper Lee Alexander broke a collarbone against Zürich and faces a race against time to be fit for the quarter-finals.
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