Brann 1-2 Barça: First step towards the semis
Barça had to pull out all the stops to win in Norway, but they did it. Brann were beaten 2-1 and Barça are halfway into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Graham Hansen, returning to her home country, may have given the blaugrana an early lead, but the home side pulled level and it took a 72nd minute goal from Salma Paralluelo to ensure that Barça will have a one-goal head start in the return leg.
Graham Hansen hits goal 25
The quick opener came from a corner, with a rapid interchange of passes before Caroline Graham Hansen pumped in what goes down as her 25th goal of the season.
It had only taken nine minutes to break the deadlock, but although one may have suspected that they were in for easy ride, Barça were certainly not going to be cruising through this game. A Champions League quarter final away from home was never going to be.
Norwegian leveller
Although it was somewhat against the run of play when Kvamme beat Cata Coll with six minutes of the first half left, meaning the sides would go in for the interval level pegging, in the second half Brann found the confidence they had been lacking early doors, and well and truly put the blaugrana women to the test.
Always Salma
Barça aren't used to struggling like that. But they gradually got a grip back on the proceedings and eventually Aitana Bonmatí managed to get the ball to the insatiable Salma Paralluelo up front, who rifled a treasure of a finish past Mikalsen. A very, very important goal.
Barça opted not to risk things too much from then on. Having seen what trouble Brann can cause, they spent the final twenty largely making sure that they would still have a lead to take back to Catalonia, although that didn't prevent them from opting to attack whenever the occasion arose, with Aitana very nearly extending the lead when she struck the crossbar with minutes to go.
But 2-1 is a healthy result to be bringing home, and the intention now is to finish off the job back in Barcelona when the sides meet again next Thursday 28 March at 6.45pm CET.
MATCH STATS
Brann: 1
Barça: 2
Brann: Mikalsen; Stenevik, Ostenstad, Tynnila (Ritter 79'); Kvamme, Kielland (Renmark 78'), Haugland, Lund; Engesvik (Eikeland 56'), Gaupset 8Svendheim 86') y Crummer (Aahjem 79').
Barça: Coll; Bronze, Paredes, Engen, Batlle (Rolfö 73'); Walsh, Patri (Alexia 73'), Aitana; Graham (Vicky 89'), Mariona (Pina 80') y Salma Paralluelo (Brugts 89').
Goals: 0-1, Caroline Graham Hansen (min. 9); 1-1, Cecilie Kvamme (min. 39); 1-2, Salma Paralluelo (min. 72)
Referee: Alina Pesu. Booked home players Engesvik & Tynnila.