Update on the Ladies

By: Inara | September 16th, 2007

A lot has been happening with OL Féminines, so here’s a recap of what’s been going on.

OL captain Sonia Bompastor prepares for France.

Domestic: Their season started two weeks ago. Their first game, on September 2nd, was against La Roche, whom OL defeated 4-0 (Lattaf 22, 56, Cruz Traña 37, Brétigny 71). Their second game, on September 9th, was against PSG. Lyon were once again victorious with a 2-0 scoreline (Nécib pen 20, Lattaf 33). Yesterday, against St. Brieuc, was a crushing win, at 8-1 (Necib 32, Lattaf 70, Cruz 34, Bretigny 79, 93, Bompastor 83 pen, Abily 92). Additionally, the ladies reserve team began their season today, with a game against Pontcharra-sur-Turdine. The reserves play in D3.

Current D1 standings:

1 – LYON, 12 pts, +13
2 – MONTPELLIER, 10 pts, +9
3 – JUVISY, 10 pts, +9
4 – TOULOUSE, 10 pts, +4
5 – VENDENHEIM, 9 pts, +4
6 – ST ETIENNE, 8 pts, +2
7 – SOYAUX, 6 pts, -2
8 – EVREUX, 6 pts, -5
9 – ST BRIEUC, 4 pts, -9
10 – LA ROCHE, 3 pts, -6
11 – HENIN BEAUMONT, 3 pts, -13
12 – PSG, 2 pts, -6

Europe: OL Ladies are also hopeful about their European aspirations. They were group winners in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Cup but face a much tougher qualifying group in the second round. In fact, they are the only group with two seeded teams (Kolbotn and Brøndby). The good news is that Lyon will be hosting their group, so all their matches will be taking place at home.

Match dates for Group B4:

Thursday, October 11
Lyon (FRA) – Brøndby (DAN)
Kolbotn (NOR) – Sparta Prague (RTC)

Saturday, October 13
Lyon – Kolbotn
Sparta Prague – Brøndby

Tuesday, October 16
Lyon – Sparta Prague
Kolbotn – Brøndby

International: The men might be getting all the attention, but OL Ladies were equally busy with representing their countries this week.

For France, 11 players were called up by Bruno Bini to prepare for upcoming qualifying matches against Serbia and Slovenia (October 27th and 31st, respectively) for Euro 2009. They are Veronique Pons, Sandrine Dusang, Sonia Bompastor, Laura George, Camille Abily, Alix Faye Chellali, Louisa Nécib, Sandrine Brétigny, and Hoda Lattaf. Laure Lepailleur and Elodie Thomis were also called up but due to injuries were replaced.

Katia is one of the many Brazilians at Lyon.

Lyon are also represented in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in China. Both Simone Gomes Jatoba and Katia Cilene joined Marta to represent Brazil in Group D, competing against New Zealand, Denmark, and tournament favorites, China. The match against Denmark is of particular interest because most of the Danish women play for Brøndby. So far, Brazil have performed beyond expectations.

Match dates for Group D:

Wednesday, September 12
New Zealand – Brazil (0-5)
China – Denmark

Saturday, September 15
Brazil – China (0-4)
Denmark – New Zealand

Wednesday, September 19
Brazil – Denmark
China – New Zealand