The Qatari revolution that has pushed Paris Saint-Germain's men's team to the brink of a third consecutive Ligue 1 title has also lifted their women's team to new heights. PSG head to Berlin for their first ever Women's Champions League final on Thursday with French hopes high three weeks ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Canada. Since being taken over by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011 the French club has been transformed, and nowhere more than their previously impoverished women's setup, explains PSG captain Sabrina Delannoy who will be among seven players from the club also competing for France in the World Cup from June 6 to July 5. Tight budgets and erratic training sessions have given way to a sleek professional setup with more backroom staff, plush hotels and training camps - the latest in Qatar just two weeks ago. "When we arrived in the hotel in Qatar we said to ourselves ‘Wow, what has happened in four years'," Delannoy said in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe. "Without the arrival of the Qataris I don't know where I would be today," admitted the 28-year-old defender who was at the club for seven years before they turned professional in 2012. "I thought we would have a bit more resources with foreign players beefing up the group but I didn't expect a revolution .. I didn't expect what was going to happen." She added: "In Berlin there won't be just the 25 players and staff, there will be all of PSG behind us, because it's historic and because people believe in the women's team." German clubs have won eight of the 13 editions of the elite European tournament and their national team have been reigning European champions since 1995 as well as lifting two Women's World Cups. PSG by contrast have never won the Ligue 1 title, finishing runners-up in three of the last four years to consecutive nine-time champions Lyon, the 2011 and 2012 Champions League winners whom the Parisians eliminated en route to the final along with two-time defending champions Wolfsburg. The clash should also provide a preview ahead of the World Cup between teams from two countries - top ranked Germany and France ranked third by FIFA - who are among the favourites.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.