With the Eintracht DNA, women chase Champions League step

With the Eintracht DNA, the Eintracht Frankfurt women are set to compete in a home mini‑tournament on Wednesday and Saturday at 19:00 as the next step toward Champions League qualification, after a year of preparation. The team has spent twelve months working amid the season build‑up to be allowed to play crucial mandatory matches.

The mini‑tournament takes place at the club’s own stadium, Brentanobad, and features four teams. On Wednesday the Frankfurt side faces Omonia Nikosia from Cyprus in a knockout duel, and a victory would set up a Saturday clash against the winner of the Valerenga (Norway) versus Malmö FF (Sweden) match.

Coach Niko Arnautis, the head of the Frankfurt women, warned against over‑analysis the day before the first season‑highlight, stating, "Ich bin Praktiker, kein Theoretiker." He stressed that only the result matters in the end.

Player Sara Doursoon echoed the ambition, saying, "Wir wollen das Mini‑Turnier gewinnen," making winning the tournament the clear objective for the squad.

Arnautis described Omonia Nikosia as an "absolut machbarer Gegner" while labeling the Scandinavian sides as "sehr, sehr ernstzunehmende Gegner," underscoring the varying levels of challenge.

He added, "Wir sind Eintracht Frankfurt und leben eine gewisse DNA," promising attractive, goal‑driven football that will engage supporters.

Veteran defender Doorsoun, despite a cold start, expressed confidence, noting, "Mini‑Turnier, Champions League, Fokus. Ich habe einfach Lust, dass es losgeht." Captain Laura Freigang will continue to lead the side, as confirmed by Arnautis.

Freigang’s recent missed doping controls have triggered a DFB investigation that could lead to a suspension, but the coach downplayed the issue, saying the team does not dwell on it daily.

The contrast between the team’s practical preparation and the temptation to speculate highlights a singular focus on performance, suggesting that the upcoming mini‑tournament will be the true test of the Eintracht DNA.