Painful defeats and emphatic wins

In our review of women’s league action around the world, FIFA.com homes in this week on Europe and New Zealand. Leaders Turbine Potsdam lost for the first time in Germany, but fellow big guns FFC Frankfurt slipped up again. Olympique Lyon racked up another big win in France, with the excitement rising in New Zealand as a final showdown beckons. FIFA.com brings you the latest news. Germany: Potsdam beaten FCR Duisburg have ensured that the German Bundesliga title race remains wide open by beating champions and league leaders Potsdam 3-2. Turbine were sitting pretty at half time after Patricia Hanebeck’s opener and an own goal by Linda Bresonik, but visiting Duisburg fought back courageously after the restart. Kozue Ando, Alexandra Popp and Bresonik scored for FCR to complete the turnaround and hand Potsdam their first defeat of term. Popp and Co are now within striking range of the top dogs, but star-studded FFC Frankfurt dropped further off the pace and slipped to fourth after boss Sven Kalert’s side fell 1-0 to in-form Wolfsburg. Bad Neuenahr maintained their recent impressive run with a third win on the bounce, a 1-0 victory over Hamburg in which Germany starlet Celia Okoyino da Mbabi struck the only goal. Top three: Turbine Potsdam (27 points), FCR 2001 Duisburg (25), VfL Wolfsburg (22) France: Goals galore for Lyon The action resumed after a two-week break in Division 1 Feminin with Olympique Lyon underlining their reputation as the most potent team in the league. In the tenth round of fixtures, Lyon handed ASJ Soyaux an 8-0 thrashing, taking their goal difference to an extraordinary +63, with 64 scored and just one conceded. Lotta Schelin (2), Louisa Necib (2), Rosana (2), Eugenie Le Sommer and Camille Abily all chipped in to the rout. Despite the win, Patrice Lair’s team remain second in the standings behind FCF Juvisy, who beat FF Yzeure 2-1 and stay a point clear at the top. The stage is now perfectly set for Saturday’s crunch encounter when Juvisy visit Lyon. Behind the top two, Montpellier are still well in touch after an 8-0 triumph of their own against Murat. Top three: FCF Juvisy (37), Olympique Lyon (36), Montpellier (35) Spain: Familiar name leading the way Any debate over the destination of the honours in Spanish football will inevitably include the name Barcelona. At the present time, that applies to both the men’s and the women’s game, as the FCB women are currently blazing a trail in the Superliga de Futbol Femenino de Espana. Eleven games into the season, Barcelona boast a flawless record and lead the standings with a maximum 33 points, after Xavi Llorens Rodríguez’ side beat UD L’Estartit 3-0. However, Barça do not have things entirely their own way, as Athletic Bilbao beat Levante 3-1 and are only two points off the lead with ten wins and a draw so far. Nekane Diez Tapia and Erika Vazquez Morales (2) scored the goals for Bilbao. Top three: Barcelona (33), Athletic Bilbao (31), Espanyol (26) New Zealand: Northern meet Waikato in final The trophy is at stake this weekend when Northern Football and Waikato BOP Football contest the final of the ASB Women’s Youth League. In the first semi-final, Northern beat defending champions Capital Football 1-0 to book their place in the final at Parrs Park, Oratia in Auckland on 4 December. Caitlin Campbell scored the 35th-minute goal which ultimately separated the sides. "The girls have worked very hard for the last seven weeks and today was no different," Northern Football coach Gordon Forrest commented afterwards. "They showed a lot of grit and determination and they tried to play some nice football as well. The players deserve their chance in the final and it’s great for the federation as well to be there for the first time." Waikato had a much easier time of it in their semi-final clash, taking a 3-0 half-time lead before comfortably seeing off Mainland Football 6-1 at ASB Football Park in Christchurch. Helen Collins, Holly Patterson, Kylie Jens, Liv Chance (2) and Tessa Leong scored for Waikato, with Emily Jensen netting a consolation for the losers.