Women's Champions League: SK Brann 2 - 1 Inter

Inter Women's European adventure began in defeat in the semi-finals of the second round of qualification. Piovani's Nerazzurre approached the game well and they found the opener in the 7th minute through Vilhjálmsdóttir. However, the Norwegians fought back with a goal in each half scored by Zomers and Gaupset. Right at the end, the Nerazzurre almost drew level through Polli's overhead kick which just missed the mark.

Piovani's side took a hit right at the start of their UEFA Women's Champions League journey, but they will be back in action at 11:00 CEST on Saturday for the third-place play-off against the loser out of Valur and Braga. The winner of the match will secure guaranteed entry to the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.

SK BRANN 2-1 INTER | THE BREAKDOWN

GOALS: 7' Vilhjálmsdóttir (I), 13' Zomers (B), 56' Gaupset (B)

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Rúnarsdottir; 3 Bowen, 24 Milinkovic (79' 16 Tomašević), 33 Bartoli; 13 Merlo (69' 20 Detruyer), 27 Csiszar (79' 21 Tomaselli), 10 Magull, 8 Vilhjálmsdóttir (59' 18 Glionna), 22 Schough (59' 15 Serturini); 7 Bugeja, 9 Polli. Bench: 12 Piazza, 32 Belli, 4 Pleidrup, 5 Andrés, 6 Santi, 14 Robustellini, 16 Tomašević, 44 Consolini. Coach: Gianpiero Piovani BRANN (4-4-2): 1 Panengstuen; 5 Stenevik, 3 Authen, 30 Tynnilä, 24 Lehtola; 9 Eikeland, 8 Haugland, 10 Gaupset, 16 Zomers (80' 28 Peuhkurinen); 22 Davidson, 19 Isaksen (46' 13 Lovera). Bench: 12 Flister, 21 Stavenes, 2 Kvamme, 6 Bogere, 7 Ellingsen, 11 Renmark, 14 Nygård, 18 Lie Eghdami, 20 Birkelund Engueleguele 32 Johnsen Coach: Leif Gunnar Smerud

Added time: 1' - 3'

Bookings: Stenevik (B), Polli (I), Davidson (B), Gaupset (B) Referee: Emily Heaslip Assistants: Leoni Harland, Miroslava Pastoreková Fourth Official: Miriama Bočková

SK BRANN VS. INTER | THE GAME

Inter Women were defeated in their first game of the second round of qualification for the UEFA Women's Champions League despite good signs throughout the match with great aggression, determination and character shown. Piovani's side's positive attitude was clear and it showed in both the tactical aggression and attacking approach to the game: right away the Nerazzurre established control in the midfield and looked to get in behind on multiple occasions. After only seven minutes of play, Inter found the opener when Milinkovic found Vilhjálmsdóttir who scored Inter's first ever European goal, and her first official goal as a Nerazzurra. Brann looked to react right away and just seven minutes later, Zomers equalised, converting Davidson's cross from the right wing. The match's tempo then increased and Piovani's side kept pushing with efforts from Magull and Milinkovic. The Nerazzurre opened the second half with the same intensity as the first period, and they had more good chances with Csiszar thwarted by Panengstuen and Vilhjálmsdóttir's effort. This time, there was no change to the score, until the 55th minute, when Brann scored. Gaupset recovered a loose ball in the box, turned, and beat Rúnarsdottir to take the lead. The Norwegians then pushed on for a third, with two rebounded efforts and Merlo's tackle on Lovera. With ten minutes to go, however, Inter pushed hard and missed the chance to equalise, first through Magull's skied effort then a clear chance for Polli, whose overhead kick was saved by Panengstuen.

Piovani's side will now play on Saturday at 11:00 CEST in the third-place play-off against the loser of Valur vs. Sporting Braga. The winner of the match will earn guaranteed entry to the UEFA Women's Europa Cup.

THE MINI TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

The matches will be played on the following dates:

Wednesday 27 August 2025 Match 1: SK Brann 2-1 Inter Match 2: 20:30 CEST | Valur vs. Braga

Saturday 30 August 2025 Third-place play-off: 11:00 CEST Final: 17:00 CEST

The mini tournament is the second round of qualification: the winning side will go to the third round which will be made up of a two-legged tie against a single opponent. A place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage will be up for grabs.

Teams finishing in second or third, therefore eliminated from the third round, will gain access to the new UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, women's football's equivalent of the "Europa League".