The inaugural edition of the VisitMalta Women Club Trophy came to an end on Wednesday with German team TSG 1899 Hoffenheim declared winners ahead of Frauen-Bundesliga rivals VfL Wolfsburg.
Top-level football was the order of the day throughout the two matchdays of the tournament which was also contested by PSV Vrouwen, from the Netherlands, and Swiss team FC Basel 1893.
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, led by newly-appointed coach Eva-Maria Virsinger, kicked off their commitments with a 4-0 victory over FC Basel 1893 on Sunday. On the final matchday, TSG came from behind to see off PSV Vrouwen 4-1, in the process boosting their prospects of claiming top spot.
Yet, it was all to play for heading into the fourth and last match as two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners VfL Wolfsburg were still in the race to win the tournament, having started off with a 2-0 victory over PSV Vrouwen on Sunday.
Under the guidance of coach Stephan Lerch, the Wolfsburg girls gave everything in their final match against FC Basel. Inspired by veteran German player Alexandra Popp, scorer of a hat-trick and winner of the MVP award, VfL Wolfsburg gave everything but their emphatic 5-0 victory on day was not enough to earn them top spot.
It was a very close call in the end as TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and VfL Wolfsburg finished level on six points and a goal difference of +7. In accordance with the tournament regulations, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim were declared winners as they scored eight goals in total, one more than VfL Wolfsburg.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the teams were very pleased with the level of facilities and support they received throughout their training camps. The tournament further enhanced Malta’s growing reputation as a hub for women’s football events, building on the success of previous initiatives, including training camps by Manchester United Women and PSV Vrouwen, and the VisitMalta International Women’s Tournament and International Friendlies in recent years.
Eva-Maria Virsinger, coach of tournament winners TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, said: “I can see good development within the week, also within the two games, especially today (against PSV Vrouwen). We were one goal behind but we fought our way back into the game. The start was a bit challenging but I think the development, over the 90 minutes, was very positive.”
The VisitMalta Women Club Trophy was played at the National Football Centre, the Malta FA’s new technical complex which was inaugurated last September. The tournament and training camps were organised by Qmedia Limited.
Photos courtesy of domenic aquilina / Qmedia Sports
Photos courtesy of domenic aquilina / Qmedia Sports
