Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan and DandalBs provides his news round-up from around the leagues (29/8/22).
Above: Madelen Janogy (centre) celebrates Hammarby’s opening goal at Umeå. Photo: Hammarby.
Damallsvenskan Round 18 Wrap:
Round 18 opened on Friday night with Piteå IF gaining a 1-0 win at KIF Örebro in front of 354 fans thanks to Hlin Eiríksdóttir’s strike with 20 minutes remaining. Eiríksdóttir had earlier missed from the penalty spot.
Hammarby game away from Umeå IK with a 3-0 victory in front of 1,428 fans. Fielding three Matildas in their starting line-up – Elise Kellond-Knight, Courtney Nevin, and Kyra Cooney Cross along with former Chelsea star Jonna Andersson, the Stockholm-based side went ahead after 13 minutes thanks to Swedish international Madelen Janogy. Matilda Vinberg added the second shortly before the hour mark with Savage Hashish completing the scoring in stoppage time.
The battle of the bottom two ended in a 1-1 draw as AIK came from a goal down at IF Brommapojkarna. The hosts went ahead just after the break when Tempest-Marie Norlin found Frida Thörnqvist to score. The team from Solna earned a point thanks to Emma Engström.
Vittsjö – with three Australian internationals in their squad – Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry started, and Charli Grant came on from the bench with 10 minutes remaining – were held to a 1-1 draw by IFK Kalmar in front of 450 fans. Polkinghorne’s goal with 56 minutes played was cancelled out four minutes from time by Alyssa Mae Walker, after an assist from Fanny Nilsson.
The battle of two of the chasing pack went BK Häcken‘s way with a 2-1 win at Kristianstads in front of 632 fans. Häcken built a 2-0 lead thanks to Pauline Hammarlund’s goal after 16 minutes, and Elin Rubensson doubled the advantage 10 minutes into the second half. Kristianstads’ prolific striker Tabby Tindell gave the home side hope as she found the net for the 11th time in 17 games. Despite there being 23 minutes remaining, Kristianstads couldn’t get any closer. BK Häcken remain 10 points adrift of leaders Rosengård in fourth.
Rosengård won the battle of the top two with a 1-0 win at home to Linköping in front of 1,184 fans at Malmö Idrottsplats. Loretta Kullashi had the chance to put the hosts ahead 10 minutes into the second half from the spot, but Linköping keeper Cajsa Andersson produced a save. However, with 15 minutes to go, Olivia Schough fed Mia Persson to grab the winning goal. It was yet another clean sheet for Matildas’ keeper Teagan Micah in the home team’s goal. This victory extends Rosengård’s lead at the top of the table to five points.
Eskilstuna United may be in strife off the pitch (see DandalBs’ News Round-Up below), but they were able to gain an excellent 1-0 win at home to Djurgården to remain sixth in the table. The only goal came after 37 minutes from Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene to the delight of the 831 fans.
Round 19 Fixtures (9-12 Sept): BK Häcken v Umeå IK, AIK v Kristianstads, Hammarby v Rosengård, IFK Kalmar v KIF Örebro, Linköping v Eskilstuna United, Piteå v IF Brommapojkarna, Djurgården v Vittsjö.
Elitettan News:
Leaders IK Uppsala went down to their first defeat all season after IFK Norrköping defeated them 1-0. This home loss came as a result of reversal at home to a Lovisa Gustavsson goal after 67 minutes to the disappointment of the 228 supporters. IFK Norrköping are now five points behind top spot themselves in fourth place as the ever-tightening race for promotion to Damallsvenskan grows.
Uppsala’s defeat allowed Växjö to go top by a point after a 1-0 win at fifth-placed Lidköpings FK. Emma Pennsäter’s strike 10 minutes before the break sealed the win in front of 242 fans.
Alingsås FC United maintained their pursuit of top spot with a 3-1 win at Jitex BK. Lisa Johansson gave Alingsås the lead after 14 minutes. However, Jitex levelled just six minutes later thanks to Ida Jacobsson’s goal. The ‘you score, we score’ sequence continued as Stina Jensen restored the visitors’ advantage shortly afterwards. Olivia Sultan sealed the win for Alingsås early in the second half in front of a crowd of 287. This result puts them third, just two points behind new leaders Växjö.
Round 19 Fixtures (10th Sept): Gamla Uppsala v Jitex BK, Alingsås FC United v Sundsvalls, Ifö Bromölla v Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Bergdalens IK, Team TG FF v IK Uppsala, Växjö v Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.
News Round-Up
by DandalBs
Eskilstuna United’s 27-year-old Nigerian midfielder Halimatu Ayinde leaves the club for FC Rosengård. Eskilstuna need to find €200,000 to survive 2022. Players are calling presumptive sponsors, asking for contributions. Coach Bernhardsson says it is likely a further players will be sold within a week.
BK Häcken‘s Danish defender Luna Gevitz has joined D1 Arkema side Montpellier. Gevitz has been a regular starter for Häcken since she joined the club a year and a half ago. A potential replacement is USA U23 defender Emily Maldril who is expected to fly to Sweden for a try-out next week.
Kristianstad‘s Canadian forward Evelyne Viens, who has been a major success for them says she will not return to the NWSL. The 25 year-old, on loan from Gotham FC, has 10 goals and eight assists in 17 matches. The club wants to keep her, but will face competition from a large number of clubs both within Sweden and outside.
Hammarby‘s head coach Pablo Piñones-Arce, who was on the last year of his contract, has signed a new deal with the club. Piñones-Arce, who has a long history as a Hammarby player, has coached the women’s team since 2020.
New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler has extended her contract with Umeå IK until the end of the 2024 season. “It’s been a fantastic experience so far,” the Football Fern said.
Sweden U19 fullback Evelina Duljan has joined Juventus from Kristianstad.
Australian international Charli Grant has extended her contract with FC Rosengård for a further two years. Despite being a regular in the Matildas squad, Grant has had limited game time with the Damallsvenskan champions. The young defender has a huge future ahead of her, and the former Adelaide United defender has gone out on loan to Vittsjö for the rest of the season.
AIK have signed 26-year-old American winger Allison Abbe on a deal for the rest of the season. Abbe comes from Nea Salamis Famagusta in the Cypriot League.
impetusfootball.org 