The Swedish Scene

Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from the Svenska Cupen Final as well as this week’s Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action (31/5/22).

Above: Rosengård lift the Svenska Cupen after defeating BK Häcken after extra-time. Photo: FC Rosengård.

SVENSKA CUPEN FINAL

The battle of the top two teams in Swedish women’s football went Rosengård‘s way as they defeated BK Häcken 2-1 at their Malmö Idrottsplats home on Thursday evening.

Häcken came out of the blocks strongest with a high pressing and high-intensity game. They went in front after just seven minutes when Hanna Wijk’s long ball found Johanna Rytting Kaneryd who finished confidently. The key for this final was that, despite being so strong in the opening half-hour, Häcken could not add to their lead.

The second half saw the momentum switch towards Rosengård. Jelena Čanković got a stranglehold of the midfield. Eventually, the goal came as Bea Sprung’s shot went in off the crossbar. As the game ticked towards extra time, BK Häcken created a golden opportunity as Filippa Curmark was only denied by a sensational save by Rosengård’s Australian international goalkeeper Teagan Micah who pushed the ball onto the bar.

The outcome was eventually decided amidst huge controversy in extra time. A corner came in and Rosengård’s Stefanie Sanders nudged the ball goalwards which Häcken goalkeeper Jennifer Falk dived on. The assistant referee ruled that the ball had crossed the line. Despite protestations to the contrary from Häcken, the goal was given.

So, a 2-1 victory and it was Rosengård who ended the night lifting the trophy in front of 1,839 fans.

DAMALLSVENSKAN

Round 11 kicked off on Friday night as KIF Örebro hosted Eskilstuna United in the El Gnällico derby. In a key game between two upper mid-table teams, it was the hosts who ran out 1-0 winners in front of 512 fans. Amanda Rantanen held off Matilda Plan and found Emma Östlund whose shot came off an Eskilstuna player for an own goal after 35 minutes.

BK Häcken‘s winless run stretched to a third straight Damallsvenskan game after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to a Djurgården side who have only won four of their opening 11 fixtures. 516 fans watched on as Häcken’s recent form means that have taken just two points out of the last nine available and now sit third on the table, four points behind leaders Rosengård.

Vittsjö are fourth after a 3-0 win over IF Brommapojkarna. Matildas star Katrina Gorry was influential once more for her new team in this success in front of 717 fans. Elisabet Klinga played in Kayla Adamek to put the hosts ahead after 36 minutes. Sarah Stratigakis doubled the advantage just past the hour mark. Matters were settled when Gorry fed Linda Sällström to seal the victory.

Hammarby‘s improved form continued as they gained a 5-1 win at an IFK Kalmar side who are now just above the drop zone. Alyssa Walker gave the home side the lead with 26 minutes gone, but the second half was all about the visitors. Madelen Janogy was immense. The national team star smashed a hat-trick, with her second and third goals coming within 120 seconds of each other. If that wasn’t enough, she also provided an assist for Australian international Courtney Nevin with 53 minutes played. Ellen Gibson scored the other for the Stockholm-based side.

AIK suffered another defeat as their tough start to the campaign continued, going down 4-0 at home to high-flying Linköping. The visitors took the lead just before the half-hour mark thanks to Therese Simonsson, who added a second ten minutes later. Four minutes into the second half Yuka Momiki made it 3-0. With 73 minutes played Alva Selerud completed the scoring. Life is not going to get any easier for the rock-bottom Solna-based side when they travel to nearby Hammarby this coming weekend – a team who are in form.

Kristianstads continued their good run of form which has seen them take 13 points out of the last 15, with a 2-0 win at Umeå IK. Mia Carlsson’s strike seven minutes before half-time was added to by Gabrielle Carle with 13 minutes remaining to seal the win in front of 1,950.

The final game of the round came on Monday night, and there was real drama at Malmö Idrottsplats where leaders Rosengård needed a goal in stoppage time at the end of the game to see off the challenge of Piteå in front of 558 fans. It should be no surprise that the visitors would prove tough opponents as, despite sitting ninth in the Damallsvensan with only four wins, they held BK Häcken to a draw last week. The home side went ahead just after the hour mark when Katrine Veje provided the assist for Loreta Kullashi. With ten minutes remaining, Piteå were level when Hlin Eiríksdóttir converted a penalty. Then came the late drama, and Stefanie Sanders netted the winner for the home side to scenes of huge joy. The win sees Rosengård go two points clear at the top of the table – but they face a huge game this coming weekend away to second-placed Linköping.

ROUND 12 FIXTURES: Djurgården v IFK Kalmar, Linköping v Rosengård, Eskilstuna United v Vittsjö, IF Brommapojkarna v BK Häcken, Kristianstads v KIF Örebro, Piteå v Umeå IK, Hammarby v AIK.

ELITETTAN

The top two sides faced off this weekend in front of the round’s highest crowd of 252. Those gathered at Framnäs IP Bävervallen saw previous leaders Lidköpings FK dethroned after a 2-0 defeat at home to Alingsås FC United who are now top as a result. After a goalless first half, the visitors took the game by the scruff of its neck with two goals in 17 minutes thanks to Melissa Davin and Olivia Sultan.

Växjö are second after a 4-0 win at bottom side Älvsjö AIK FF. Mimmi Strömgren put the visitors ahead with 21 minutes on the clock. Right on the half-time whistle, Älvsjö keeper Wilma Stenman saved Elin Nilsson’s penalty to keep the hosts in touch. However, two goals in nine second-half minutes eventually settled matters as Evelyn Ijeh and Dessislava Dupuy and both found the net. Olivia Mattsson completed the scoring with 73 minutes played in front of 178 fans.

IK Uppsala missed a chance to go top after being held 1-1 at Ifö Bromölla IF. The home side took the lead thanks to Patrycja Jercak’s goal. The prolific Nicole Robertson leveled for Uppsala with seven minutes to go in front of 85 fans.

IFK Norrköping are fifth after a 3-0 win at Bergdalens IK. Lovisa Gustafsson set the scoreboard moving after just five minutes. The other strikes came in a five-minute spell towards the end of the game. Sabina Ravnell and Emelie Johansson were on target.

Round Nine: Lidköpings FK 0-2 Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne 4-0 Team TG FF, Sundsvalls 1-2 Jitex BK, Bergdalens IK 0-3 IFK Norrköping, Ifö Bromölla IF 1-1 IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-4 Växjö, Gamla Upsala SK 3-0 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.

Round 10 (Fixtures): Team TG FF v Bergdalens IK, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Jitex BK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Växjö v Lidköpings FK, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Ifö Bromölla IF, IFK Norrköping v Sundsvalls, Alingsås FC United v Gamla Upsala SK.