SK Brann 2 (6)
Ostenstad 34’ Lie 86
Glasgow City 0 (0)
Glasgow City’s UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign came to an end at Round 2 after defeat from SK Brann.
Goals from Marthine Ostenstad and Nora Eide Lie gave the Norwegian side a 2-0 victory.
Leanne Ross made three changes from the side that beat Aberdeen at the weekend with Linda Motlhalo, Megan Foley and Emily Whelan on her 50th appearance for the club replacing Mairead Fulton, Charlotte Wardlaw and Lisa Forrest.
The home side were backed by a large crowd at the Brann Stadion in Bergen and they had the first opportunity when Larissa Crummer was played through but great covering work by Anna Oscarsson halted the first attack of the game.
Brann had the ball in the net shortly after but referee Marta Huerta De Aza rightfully disallowed it as Rakel Engesvik used her hand to control the ball past Kenzie Weir.
Chances were coming as Engesvik was denied by Lee Gibson before Emily Whelan tested Aurora Mikalsen in the Brann goal with an effort from the edge of the box.
Gibson was called into action just before the half hour mark when she made a terrific save from close range to deny Crummer before Weir deflected wide Stenevik’s effort from the resulting corner kick.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Marthine Ostenstad stabbed the ball home from close range after a free kick was put into the six yard box. Engesvik went close to doubling the lead for Brann but her shot went wide.
City tried to respond at the end of the opening 45 but Brenna Lovera’s header went over the crossbar before Whelan’s shot was blocked. Whelan and Lovera, along with Kinga Kozak linked up at the start of the second half but were unable to get an effort on goal.
The home side tested Gibson on the hour mark but the Scotland international produced a terrific save to deny Marit Bratberg Lund’s free kick.
City’s best chance of the evening came after some lovely football by the visiting side. Substitute Lisa Forrest gathered the ball on the right wing and drove at the Brann defence before finding Linda Motlhalo who played the ball to Lauren Davidson but her strike found the side netting.
Brann scored a second late on through a long range effort from Nora Eide Lie that left Gibson with no chance.
Glasgow City are back in action on Sunday when we welcome Montrose to Petershill Park for our first ever meeting.
SK Brann: Mikalsen, Stenevik, Engesvik (Renmark, 60), Haugland, Eikeland (Svendheim, 76), Nygard (Gaupset, 60), Ostenstad, Lund (Ritter, 79), Crummer, Kielland (Lie, 60), Tynnila. Subs not used: Stavenes, Kvamme, Anasi, Aune, Ritter, Brochmann.
Glasgow City: Gibson, Muir (Warrington, 79), Lauder (Fulton, 60), Lovera, Motlhalo, Whelan (Forrest, 69), Davidson (Larkin, 79), Kozak (Gambone, 69), Weir, Foley, Oscarsson. Subs not used: Clachers, Sullivan, Martin.