Cardiff City Women will begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League journey on Wednesday, as they face FC Gintra in Lithuania.
The Adran Premier champions face the Lithuanian A Lyga champions in the qualifying phase, before facing either Glasgow City or Shelbourne in their next game.
Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, Ffion Price and Mackenzie Olden spoke to Y Clwb Pêl-droed about the challenge of the UWCL, in their first season as semi-professional footballers.
It comes after an incredible season for the Bluebirds, where they won both the Adran Premier title and which Price played a key part in.
“Words can’t describe last season,” she began.
“The aim from the beginning was to go for the treble.
“Unfortunately we didn’t quite get the treble but we got the main focus of winning the league. The girls were just ecstatic and it shows how well we progressed from the year before.”
It has been ten years since Cardiff City were last in the Champions League. They had to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on that occasion.
Whilst they came bottom of the group, it will have been an incredible experience for the players involved, some of whom are still involved at the club.
Adran Premier Player of the Season Price explained how it will be special to represent her home town club in Europe.
“For some of the girls they were here ten years ago, so for them, it is extra special.
“For me personally and some of the younger players, this could be one of the only opportunities we get to play in the Champions League.
“Cardiff City is my home town club who I support, so to be able to represent Cardiff in Europe is fantastic. Everyone is so excited to go. I think we’re well prepared.“
One aspect that will be different for Cardiff City is that the women’s team has now turned semi-professional following their title-winning season.
It has been followed by fellow Adran Premier sides Wrexham and Swansea City making similar moves, as clubs in Wales look to build on the progress women’s football has made globally.
As one of those players who have turned semi-professional, Price discussed how it has improved opportunities for herself and others at the club.
“In terms of football itself, I still have that same passion,” she stated.
“I’ve played up until now without getting paid. For me, it’s the love of the game and wearing the Cardiff badge.
“But it’s having the opportunity now with the facilities, more staff and just having that recognition now that the women’s game deserves. It allows us to go on and develop the platform of the women’s game.
“We train three times a week. We have access to more physios and extra support in order to keep the squad fit and healthy.“
Ahead of Wednesday’s battle with Gintra, Price explained what she is expecting from the Lithuanian side and the experience she has playing against Lithuanian opposition.
“I’m expecting them to be strong. I previously played against Lithuania when I made my debut for Wales at Under 17’s. They were big and strong.
“It’s going to be a really challenging game. They’ve done really well in their league having a look at some of their results.
“It’s just showing our strengths and going into the game positive and showcasing the talent that we have. We have a variety of talents across the squad from experience to new players, and I think that will give us that extra edge.
“We’ll be representing Cardiff City and the Adran League as well. We’re not going to put too much pressure on ourselves. We know what we’re capable of.
“We are really close as a squad supporting one another. We’re in the best shape we possibly could be. We’re ready for the challenge.
“We’ve done our research. We’ve got some analysis now, so it’s just about taking all of that information into the game.
When asked about the aim for the Bluebirds, Price made it clear.
“To win. That’s the main aim. Trying our best in competing in the Champions League. Not everybody can say they’ve played in the Champions League.”
Summer signing Mackenzie Olden will play her first competitive games in a Cardiff City shirt in Lithuania.
The forward signed from Barry Town United and is another player who has recently signed a semi-professional deal in South Wales.
Olden discussed how her recent campaign went at Barry and what she learned when she faced her new club Cardiff City.
“It was a hard season for Barry,” Olden began.
“We had many changes within the club.
“I feel like the girls did work hard and to manage to not get relegated, it was a big thing for us.
“Against Cardiff City, there is no way you can play attacking football. The game at home when we lost three-nil, that was a good result.
“When we lost one-nil in the 90th minute, I felt like we held on really well.
“But watching Cardiff play football, it’s really hard to try and string a couple of passes together.
“Cardiff City I feel like are a lot more ahead than other teams in what they want to do.“
Now with the Adran Premier champions, Olden spoke about how she has adapted to a semi-professional football environment.
“I’ve settled in really well. The coaches, the players have all been really welcoming towards myself and it’s been easy to fit in with all the girls.
“It shows how big women’s football is getting. Obviously it’s massive in England. It’s good that Wales are coming up to the challenge. With Swansea and Wrexham doing it as well, it does put a good name out for the younger kids playing football.
“I’ve felt a lot more impact of fitness. There’s a lot of dedication involved as well.“
At 19 years old, Olden will experience the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time.
She explained her excitement at the opportunity and what she is looking to learn from it.
“I’m really excited for the Champions League,” she stated.
“It is something you dream for as a kid. The fact that I can have the opportunity to do it this early on in my career, especially when it might not happen again, I’m buzzing.
“They’ve just told me to think of it as a normal game. Just do the basics. If you do the basics correct, things will come for you.
“It’s a good experience to see how different teams play. Cardiff can then alter the way they play to hopefully get past the opponent.
“My aim (this season) is just to develop more as a squad player. Cardiff play completely different to Barry, so I want to improve my overall game and hopefully get some more goals and assists.”
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