The Group 5 tournament in the second round of UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying began in Šiauliai on Wednesday. Hosts Gintra faced Romanian champions FCV Farul Constanța in the qualifying semi-final.

Backed by a large crowd at Šiauliai Central Stadium, the Lithuanian champions battled hard to beat the Romanian side 2:1 (0–0 at half-time) and advance to the qualifying final.

In the first semi-final, Ukraine's Vorskla Poltava comfortably defeated the Georgian champions 5–0. They will face Gintra on Saturday for the tournament's only place in the third round of UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying.

This victory guaranteed that Gintra's European campaign would continue this year. Winning the final would take them into the third round of UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying, while a defeat – would send them into the second qualifying round of the inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup.

The third Champions League qualifying round takes place on 11 and 18 September, while the second Europa Cup round will be played on 7 or 8 and 15 or 16 October. Both rounds consist of home and away legs.

Starting lineup:  G. Lukjančukė, R. Beal, A. Mikutaitė, T. Romanovskaja, S. Amorim, I. Kuku, L.Ribeiro, T. Brown (27' min. B. David, 80' min. C. Caliz), L. Spenazzatto, M. Bowers, B. Taylor.

Goals:

Gintra: L. Spenazzatto (55' min.), L. Ribeiro (83' min.) one each.

„Farul Constanta“: I. Stancu (63' min.) – 1.

The teams spent the opening minutes sizing each other up, probing their opponents' positions without taking many risks. Lidiane Ribeiro first tested the opposing goalkeeper in the 10th minute.

The first threat to the hosts' goal came in the 13th minute, but Estelle Gnaly's shot lacked power and Greta Lukjančukė dealt with it confidently. Moments later, a cross created another opening for the Romanian champions, but Nikoleta Boycheva could not reach the ball.

In the 21st minute, Madison Bowers had a chance to break through one-on-one despite being surrounded by defenders, but the American could not control the ball at the crucial moment and the opportunity disappeared.

Steve Beeks was forced into a change as early as the 27th minute. Canadian Tamara Brown was injured and unable to continue, with Bunmi David coming on in her place.

Lukjančukė saved a dangerous free kick from around 25 metres in the 39th minute. Gintra responded a few minutes later, but Brianna Taylor could not bring the ball under control. It remained goalless after the opening 45 minutes.

The second half began in lively fashion, with both teams scoring early on. Laura Spenazzatto beat the defenders inside the penalty area and fired a powerful, accurate shot to put the Lithuanian champions ahead in the 55th minute. Just eight minutes later, however, Ioana Stancu equalised for the Romanian side to make it 1–1.

After the exchange of goals, the tempo eased slightly, although the physical contest continued. Gintra's experienced goalkeeper Lukjančukė remained assured and denied the visitors any reward from their half-chances.

The stadium erupted in the 83rd minute. Taylor's determined play won possession, Spenazzatto took a shot, and Lidiane Ribeiro turned the ball into the net to restore the yellow-and-blacks' lead at 2–1.

The Romanian side could not find another equaliser. The Lithuanian champions saw out the closing stages confidently to celebrate an impressive victory.

Match highlights:

Coach's comments:

L. Ribeiro's comments: