The UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying tournament began in Šiauliai on Wednesday. In Group 3's second semi-final, Lithuanian champions Gintra faced Moldovan champions Agarista CSF Anenii Noi.
Displaying excellent attacking football in front of their supporters, the yellow-and-blacks 5:0 (1–0 at half-time) overwhelmed their opponents and advanced to face legendary Scottish club Celtic in the final. The qualifying final takes place on Saturday, 7 September, at 18:00.
Finnish champions KuPS Kuopio and Scottish champions Celtic also compete in the group. In their noon semi-final, Celtic advanced after extra time. Normal time ended 1–1, before two extra-time goals secured a 3–1 victory for the Scottish team.
Starting lineup: L. Tuomi, A. Mikutaitė, S. Amorim, R. Beal (64' min. K. Hawkinson), L. Peabody (46' min. A. Kazarina), M. Hagstrom, E. Šupelytė (72' min. L. Kubiliūtė), T. Shamase (78' min. M. Proscevičiūtė), S. Jaatinen, T. Seara (46' min. T. Romanovskaja), S. Shamase.
Goals:
Gintra: . S. Shamase (48', 75', 81 min,) – 3, T. Shamase (39') and S. Jaatinen (71') one each.
Gintra began much more actively and had a good chance from a corner in the second minute. S'phumelele Shamase controlled the ball well inside the area in the tenth minute but shot narrowly wide. Play revolved around the opponents' penalty area in the second half, until Thubelihle Shamase finally broke the deadlock in the 39th minute for 1–0.
The hosts quickly doubled their lead after the break. Sphumelele Shamase controlled the ball skilfully inside the area and found the net for 2–0.
Still in complete control, Gintra made it three through Silja Jaatinen in the 71st minute. Moments later, Shamase scored again for 4–0, then swiftly completed her hat-trick to make it 5–0.
There were no further goals before the final whistle, and the large stadium crowd thanked the Lithuanian champions for their semi-final victory.
Match goals:
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