Rachel Graham tips Athlone to claim another European win
Athlone Town head into a crucial Round 2 clash in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers, as they prepare to face Icelandic champions Breidablik. After impressive wins over Cardiff City and Agram earlier this month, Colin Fortune’s side are eager to extend their European journey. Rachel Graham, speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, believes Athlone have the qualities to cause another upset despite the tough challenge ahead.
Breidablik’s formidable record
Breidablik come into this tie as clear favourites, sitting top of their domestic league with 13 wins and a draw in 15 matches. Their attacking power is evident, having scored 61 goals while conceding only 11. Such dominance highlights the scale of Athlone’s task, but Graham insists that this contest is not beyond them. Drawing on her own experience against Icelandic opposition with Shelbourne in 2022, she noted that while Icelandic teams excel physically, they are not necessarily more technically gifted.
Athlone’s strengths and belief
Athlone, who recently beat Shelbourne 2-1 to take top spot in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division, head into this match with confidence. Graham believes the current squad has the physicality and sharpness required to match Breidablik’s pace and power. She highlighted standout players such as wingers Madi Gibson and Roisin Molloy, along with striker Kelly Brady, who she described as the fastest player in the league. According to Graham, these attributes give Athlone a genuine chance of progressing further in Europe.
The bigger picture ahead
If Athlone manage to overcome Breidablik, they will advance to Saturday’s final against either Red Star Belgrade or FC Twente. Playing Twente in the Netherlands would present another daunting challenge, given their experience in last season’s Champions League group stages against the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid. Graham pointed out that Twente boast stars such as Jill Roord, a Netherlands international with WSL pedigree at Arsenal and Manchester City. Despite the difficulty, she stressed that Athlone’s progress is not just about one club but also about showing how far Irish women’s football has come.
A test of growth and ambition
For Graham, this tie represents more than just a single game. It is a chance for Athlone to measure themselves against Europe’s stronger leagues and prove the growth of Irish women’s football on the continental stage. While the challenge is immense, she believes Athlone’s speed, fitness, and self-belief give them every chance to make history once again.
