Sangerhausen (dpa) – Turbine Potsdam successfully passed the dress rehearsal for the start of the competition game in the DFB Cup in less than a week. In front of 500 spectators at the Fresenstadion in Sangerhausen, the Bundesliga side beat RB Leipzig 2-1 (1-1) in a hard-fought match on Sunday. Next Sunday (4:00 pm) the Potsdam women will be guests in the second round of the cup at regional league side Victoria Berlin. The Bundesliga club struggled to get into the game against the second-division side despite four of their internationals, Nova Selimhodzic, Irena Kuznesov (both Israel), Martyna Wienkowska (Poland) and Amber Berrett (Ireland) not working in World Cup qualifying. After Marlin Muller (14th minute) went behind, the Turbines needed some time to set the tone in attacking play. Alyssa Grinchenko made it 1-1 seconds later with a long-range shot into the corner (45+3) after Victoria Schwalm missed RB goalkeeper Gina Schuller in first-half injury time. In the second half of the game, coach Sébastien Middecke’s team showed that they were much better and went forward more aggressively. Schwalm, Potsdam’s most impressive that afternoon, initially hit just the outside post. Two minutes later, she aimed more precisely, past Schuler to make it 2:1 (55th). “It was hard work,” said Middeke after the final whistle, pleased with the editing shown by his players, “but we were a bit passive in the last quarter of an hour.” Sonia O’Neill made her debut for Potsdam Women. The defender moved to Havelstad from ZNK Split and has previously played for Glasgow Rangers and Barry. Born in Canada, O’Neill is a current international player for Venezuela.

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