The road to the UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase has taken another step forward.

Eleven teams have progressed from the second qualifying round after a dramatic week of mini-tournaments across Europe, with four-time winners Eintracht Frankfurt joined by the likes of Ajax, Juventus and Brann in securing their place in the next stage.

The successful teams will now enter the third qualifying round, where they will be joined by seven clubs entering at this stage.

Nine two-legged ties will ultimately determine which teams join the nine clubs already guaranteed a place in the league phase.

For those still chasing European football, the second qualifying round has provided everything from penalty shootouts and extra-time winners to late goals and record crowds.

Eintracht Frankfurt Lead Dominant Qualifying Performances

Four-time champions Eintracht Frankfurt remain firmly in contention for another European run.

Playing on home soil, Frankfurt produced a dominant campaign to win their mini-tournament, beating Omonia 8-0 in the semi-final before overcoming debutants Malmo 2-0 in the final.

Malmo had already caused one of the surprises of the round by eliminating Valerenga in their opening match.

Despite falling short in the final, the Swedish side will continue their European journey in the Women's Europa Cup.

For Frankfurt, meanwhile, the focus now turns towards the third qualifying round and another opportunity to return to the league phase.

Ajax Edge Through After Late Penalty Drama

Ajax also booked their place in the next round, but had to do it the hard way.

After beating Brøndby 2-0 in their semi-final, the Dutch side faced hosts Rangers in the final.

With the match finely poised, a last-gasp penalty from Sherida Spitse sent Ajax through with a 2-1 victory.

Rangers will now transfer into the Women's Europa Cup, while Ajax continue their Champions League campaign.

Juventus Advance After Extra-Time Battle

Juventus also made it through after another dramatic final.

The Italian side defeated Torreense 2-1 in their semi-final before meeting Hammarby, last season's Women's Europa Cup runners-up.

Neither side could be separated in 90 minutes.

Juventus eventually prevailed 3-1 after extra time to secure their place in the third qualifying round.

Hammarby will now drop into the Women's Europa Cup, having come agonisingly close to another Champions League run.

Brann Win Five-Goal Thriller to Progress

One of the most entertaining finals came in the champions path, where Brann defeated PAOK 3-2.

Brann had already impressed in their semi-final, beating Mitrovica 5-0.

PAOK, meanwhile, needed extra time to overcome hosts Ferencvaros.

The final produced another five-goal contest, but Brann held on to continue their European journey.

Penalties Send St. Polten and OH Leuven Through

Two teams needed penalty shootouts to book their places.

St. Polten overcame Sporting CP after a 1-1 draw that remained level through extra time, eventually winning the shootout 4-1.

OH Leuven also needed penalties after their final against Fenerbahce finished 1-1 after extra time.

The Belgian side held their nerve to win 4-2 from the spot.

Both now progress to the third qualifying round.

Czarni Sosnowiec Make History Under New Format

Czarni Sosnowiec have achieved something no other team has managed under the current qualifying format.

Having entered in the first qualifying round, they have now progressed all the way through to the third round.

They defeated Apollon LFC on penalties in their semi-final before beating Spartak Myjava 4-2 in the final.

It means Czarni are the only side so far to progress from the first qualifying round through to the third under this format.

Record Crowds Highlight Growth of Women’s Game

The qualifying round also produced a significant milestone off the pitch.

Hosts Aktobe attracted record crowds for a Women's Champions League match in Kazakhstan in both their semi-final and final.

Their run ultimately ended against Servette, who won the final 4-0.

Despite the defeat, Aktobe's ability to draw record crowds underlines the growing reach of the women's game across Europe.

Hearts Fall Narrowly Short of Qualification

There was disappointment for Hearts, who came within one victory of reaching the third qualifying round.

The Scottish side defeated Gintra 2-1 in their semi-final before facing HB Køge in the final.

A 2-1 defeat ended their Champions League journey, although Hearts will now continue in the Women's Europa Cup.

It was a similar story for several of the competition's debutants, with Fenerbahçe, Malmö, Hearts, Omonia, SeaSters Odesa, Torreense and TSC Bačka Topola all making their first appearances in the competition.

What Comes Next in the UWCL Qualification Path

The 11 teams emerging from the second qualifying round now join seven clubs entering directly at the third stage.

Champions Path

  • Austria Wien
  • Brann
  • Czarni Sosnowiec
  • HB Køge
  • OH Leuven
  • PSV Eindhoven
  • Servette
  • Sparta Praha

League Path

  • Ajax
  • Eintracht Frankfurt
  • Juventus
  • St. Polten

They will be joined by the seven clubs entering directly at this stage, including Chelsea, Inter, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Wolfsburg.

The third qualifying round will be decided over two legs, with the nine winners earning a place in the Champions League league phase.

For the teams who fell short in this round, European football isn't over either.
Runners-up move into the Women's Europa Cup second qualifying round, while third-placed sides enter that competition in the first qualifying round.

The Champions League may be narrowing down, but for the teams still standing, the biggest tests are still to come.