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The World Sevens: Day Two Part Two

Above: Bayern Munich celebrate making the semi-finals. Photo: World Sevens Website.

The inaugural World Sevens competition kicked off this week in Portugal. Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie breaks down the action from the final group games on day two.

If you missed our recap from today’s early games, you can find it here: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/05/22/the-world-sevens-day-two-part-one/

What is the World Sevens tournament?

The “World Sevens” tournament is a new international seven-a-side women’s football competition. It is being held from May 21 to May 23, 2025, in Estoril, Portugal.

It is normally high scoring, played on a smaller field, with two halves of fifteen minutes and rolling substitutions. The Estoril event marks the beginning of a new international series, with a North American leg planned for later in 2025.

The teams that are involved in Portugal are: Manchester United, Manchester City, Ajax, Benfica, Roma, Paris Saint-Germain, Rosengård, and Bayern Munich. Some teams have taken their full squads, whilst others have left some players at home – particularly those returning from injury (such as Manchester City’s Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood).

The first two days consist of group games. The 23rd May will see the top two teams from each group compete in a semi-final; the winner of each semi-final will compete the final.

All games are broadcast free on DAZN YouTube.

Day two evening games recap

Bayern Munich 3 – 1 Manchester City

Rosengard 0 – 2 Ajax

Benfica 2 – 2 Roma

Manchester United 2 – 2 PSG

Bayern Munich – Manchester City

**Above:** Manchester City’s starting seven. **Photo**: ManCityWomen on X.

Score: 3 – 1

Goal scorers:

Bayern Munich: Dallmann 2′, Olme 19′, Plattner 27′

Manchester City: Fujino 3′

Takeaways from the game:

The game was relatively even, with both teams having good chances. However, Bayern were more clinical – and capitalised on the inexperience of City’s team. City took risks – and these did pay off at points, however Bayern goalkeepers Grohs and Mahmutovic were rarely troubled.

An unfortunate injury to City’s young goalkeeper Eve Annets saw her leave the pitch 40 seconds after being introduced; a coming together resulting in the concussion protocol. Seconds after the injury, Bayern capitalised on the changeover of goalkeepers, striking quickly to catch out Keating whilst she was still trying to organise her defence.

City’s first loss has no major impact – they are still through to the semi-final tomorrow.

Rosengard – Ajax

**Above:** Ajax celebrate a win. **Photo**: AjaxVrouwen on X.

Score: 0 – 2

Goal scorers:

Ajax: Yohannes 5′, Jansen 28′

Takeaways from the game:

Both teams knew their competition would end following this game, as neither team made it through to the semi-final. However, there was still a point up for grabs – and a positive end to head back home with.

Heading into their third game of the competition, Rosengard had not yet scored a goal. They came close a number of times, however strong opposition combined with a lack of quality finishing left them goalless. Ajax went toe to toe with Manchester City earlier in the day, only losing that game on penalties.

17-year-old Lily Yohannes has been one of the standout players of the competition – playing her club football with Ajax, she recently committed her future to the USWNT. Technically gifted, for Ajax the tournament may have been more of a curse: with eight clubs involved in the tournament, they may find it even more difficult to keep hold of her this summer.

Benfica – Roma

**Above**: Roma celebrate. **Photo**: World Sevens website.

Score: 2 – 2 (Roma win 1-0 on penalties)

Goal scorers:

Benfica: Amado 10′, Brown 30′

Roma: Pilgrim 27′ (pen), Viens 29′

Takeaways from the game:

Much like the earlier game between Rosengard and Ajax, both Benfica and Roma did not make the semi-finals. Knowing it was their last game and a last chance to get a point on the board, both teams started brightly. The deadlock was broken by a goal from Benfica’s Catarina Amado, who shot in from a short corner, 10 minutes in.

The local team led for most of the match; a penalty in the 27^th minute and some inexperienced goalkeeping meant they were ahead within two minutes.

Benfica scored seconds later to level the duel, and both teams had a number of chances with both goalkeepers in action before the game went to extra-time and then penalties.

A strong match, arguably the most even of the day two games. Neither side looked dominant, both sides could have increased the scoreline at any time, and the experience will stand them in good stead.

Manchester United – PSG

**Above**: PSG v Manchester United. **Photo**: ManUtdWomen on X.

Score: 2 – 2 (Manchester United win 7-6 on penalties)

Goal scorers:

Manchester United: Le Tissier 5′, Simpson 21′

PSG: Karchaoui 1′, Echegini 16′

Takeaways from the game:

When this match was scheduled, the main storyline was that United would reunite with a legend of the club: goalkeeper Mary Earps. However, she was rested for the tournament – meaning the headline was about which team would top the group and face Manchester City in a semi-final.

PSG started on the front foot, going ahead within a minute through a team goal seconds into the game.

United looked lethargic for the opening five minutes, and sloppy in possession – the bright spark provided by Maya Le Tissier equalising from outside the box.

PSG were more dangerous – United got into the right areas but were less clinical. Both Middleton-Patel and Rendell made saves to keep United in the tie; PSG’s goalkeeper Kiedrzynek was after a goal of her own, coming close to scoring herself.

Towards the middle of the second half, United gained the momentum – and the tie was an even match. United eventually succeeded on penalties.

Takeaways from day two

The main takeaway from the games today is how much of seven-a-side football is about clear decision-making. On a small pitch, with less time, there is no room for indecisiveness, and one wrong decision can be punished much more easily. We saw this with goalkeepers across the day; choosing to come out, and even though the distance might not be much, they end up near the half-way line.

All seven players in a team also need to both attack and defend – normal roles go out of the window. Playing these different roles with the lack of time to make decisions means players are out of their comfort zone, and forced to make decisions they would not normally make. Having this fish-out-of-water experience will undoubtedly provide learning material moving forward.

The semi-finals and finals take place tomorrow, 23rd May 2025 – Manchester United and Manchester City face off, and Bayern Munich face PSG.

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Kim Little: Enduring Excellence on the European Stage

***Above:*** *Kim Little collecting Player of Match award, celebrating Arsenal’s win against Lyon.* ***Photo:*** *@arsenalwfc on Instagram.*

By Merryn Dyson (22/05/25)

In the fourth article in the series of articles building up to the huge Champions League final in Lisbon this Saturday, Impetus Football’s Merryn Dyson looks into Kim Little’s stellar career, and why this fixture is so momentous for the Arsenal captain.

Kim Little has played a vital part in the success of the Gunners. Having spent most of her career at Arsenal- she is the definition of a club legend. The long-serving Skipper just missed out in the 2006-07 season, joining just a year after Arsenals Champions League victory. This time around however, she looks to get her hands on the trophy.

Little started at the club as a 17-year-old teenager amongst some of the most influential faces in women’s football, such as the likes of Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. It shows the qualities she has now she has displayed since her youth, especially coming into a history making squad full of stars that went a season unbeaten, winning every trophy possible that previous year to her signing.

“Make a note of this kid, she’s going to be a big player.” – Vic Akers.

Little contributed to 11 trophies before her departure in 2013 to Seattle Reign in America, but she shortly made a return to North London just three years later in 2016 after a loan spell at Melbourne City. Despite challenging setbacks with injuries, she again worked relentlessly, earning herself the armband. She leads the team by example, empowering others to have a voice and allowing them to have a chance to lead. This allows the exploitation of other players strengths whilst supporting the dynamic that the squad has. Little is all for the team and that’s why fans and teammates admire her and her commitment to the sport.

This tournament has been a special one for her. The 34-year-old, who has had over 300 appearances for Arsenal, is eager for this trophy to be under her belt. She is one of the most influential players in a match, controlling the centre of the field and constantly looking for creative outlays of play. She interlinks play between the wings and is known for her ability to make an impeccable pass. Her understanding of the game is second to none, which is proven through her excellent positional awareness, the way she communicates and her continuous high press against opposition.

Leah Williamson recently said in an interview after the Lyon Semi-Final second leg, “Kim Little is an unbelievable footballer who goes under the radar.”

Further, Renee Slegers, Arsenal coach, sang the captain’s praises: “it was such a special moment for Kim, she has been part of the club for so long, if you see how she invests and how hard she works, all the players see it and feel it. The way she performs, it’s incredible.”

During that crucial away leg at Lyon, she continuously won her individual battles, helping the team to gain possession (55%), and made sure that the balance between offence and defence was equal. She orchestrated the press and led to their 3-goal lead in that leg. She was deserving of Player of the Match and Slegers, in her interview, agreed.

When the Gunners face the difficult challenge of Barcelona, they will look to Kim Little to help guide them over the line. Her excellence across the years across every position she’s fulfilled has been game-changing, and a win in the UWCL feels more than deserved for one of the greatest players to ever grace the women’s game.

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The World Sevens: Day Two Part One

Above: Manchester City celebrate winning on penalties. Photo: ManCityWomen on X.

The inaugural World Sevens competition kicked off this week in Portugal. Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie breaks down the action from the early games on day two.

What is the World Sevens tournament?

The “World Sevens” tournament is a new international seven-a-side women’s football competition. It is being held from May 21 to May 23, 2025, in Estoril, Portugal.

The first two days consist of group games. The 23rd May will see the top two teams from each group compete in a semi-final; the winner of each semi-final will compete the final.

All games are broadcast free on DAZN YouTube.

Day two early games recap

Manchester City 2 – 2 Ajax

Bayern 4 – 0 Rosengard

Roma 1 – 2 PSG

Manchester United 3 – 1 Benfica

Manchester City – Ajax

**Above**: Manchester City celebrate reaching the semi-finals. **Photo**: World Sevens website.

Score: 2 – 2 (City win 6-5 on penalties)

Goal scorers:

Manchester City: Kerolin 4′, Park 17′

Ajax: Yohannes (pen) 23′, Noordman 29′

Takeaways from the game:

The first match of the day provided the tournament’s first extra time and sudden death penalties. At the full-time whistle, the score was 2-2 courtesy of Kerolin and Park for City and a Yohannes penalty and Noordman goal for Ajax. Ajax seemed to have found their rhythm with the format. The most important learning Ajax have taken from the first day is that with such a small pitch and with only seven members of the team, every member of the team needs to defend as well as attack. There can be no strictly defined roles.

City had a strong performance but there were defensive frailties. Khiara Keating in goal enjoyed playing a role in outfield, taking some risks that a more clinical opponent would likely capitalise on. They also used their substitutes to confuse Ajax – as soon as the Dutch team settled into the game, City would make wholesale changes to upset them – which would become a theme throughout the day.

Bayern Munich – Rosengard

**Above:** Bayern Munich starting seven. **Photo:** @FCBfrauen on X.

Score: 4 – 0

Goal scorers:

Bayern Munich: Tanikawa 4′, Damnjanovic 16′, Harder 18′, Olme 29′

Takeaways from the game:

In the most dominant display of the day, Bayern Munich compounded Rosengard’s woes (after losing 4-0 to Manchester City yesterday); the Swedish team conceded another four and have now conceded eight in the competition without reply.

Bayern dominated from start to finish with little rebuttal. Tuva Hansen continued her fine form from the opening day, using technicality to outwit the Rosengard defence. Pernille Harder scored the tournament’s first header, and Scottish international goalkeeper Eartha Cumings had to make several significant saves in the Rosengard goal.

Roma – PSG

**Above:** PSG celebrate booking a spot in the semi-finals. **Photo**: World Sevens website.

Score: 1 – 2

Goal scorers:

PSG: Echegini 19′, Leuchter 35′

Roma: Corelli 10′

Takeaways from the game:

If there is a team that can feel aggrieved from the opening rounds of the competition, it is Roma. They were arguably the better team for much of their duel with PSG and should have had a penalty near the end of the game. The game seemed destined for penalties before Romee Leuchter scored PSG’s second with a minute left on the clock.

Although they will feel aggrieved, Roma can take some real positives from the match. They went toe-to-toe and were the better side for significant portions of the game.

Benfica – Manchester United

**Above:** Gabby George and Simi Awujo celebrate reaching the semi-finals. **Photo:** ManUtdWomen on X.

Score: 1 – 3

Goal scorers:

Benfica: Norton 21′

Manchester United: Bizet 2′, Awujo 13′, 18′

Takeaways from the game:

United started this game much more aggressively than their previous outing. Celin Bizet scored within a minute, and Benfica were on the back foot immediately.

United’s physicality was their main strength, as they were much more affective at winning the ball back in midfield thanks to Dominique Janssen and Grace Clinton. Yet again, they played a strong starting seven – comprised of players who play week in week out. Whilst other teams have used this competition as an opportunity to give younger players some exposure and game time, United are keen to win.

Benfica – the most local team of the tournament – will finish their competition tonight against Roma, having failed to reach the semi-finals.

Takeaways from the early games

All games were more tactically astute on the second day, showing the teams’ learnings from the opening day. Many teams stopped trying to play out from the back, and some decided to use substitutions strategically – replacing their entire outfield every five minutes. Tomorrow’s semi-finals may include a Manchester derby on foreign shores; which, based on form, would likely be a relatively even match.

All teams will play again this evening.

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NPLW Vic Round 9: Groba stars for Royals in 5-1 win

By Kieran Yap 22/5/25

Above: Ava Groba scores for Essendon Royals

Ava Groba was the star as Essendon Royals defeated FV Academy 5-1 in Round Nine of Victoria’s NPLW. The attacker produced a goal of her own and set up another with a brilliant pass in a game where Academy striker Kayla Jugovic scored for the first time in this competition

The scoreline hints at a one-sided affair, but Essendon were made to earn the three points at the Home of The Matildas. The Academy side started brightly and opened the scoring in the 10^th minute. Jugovic leapt highest with great timing to nod in from close range and give the youth side a deserved lead.

The short corner routine was perfectly worked to draw the Royals defenders out of position and the changed angle provided Jugovic with the opportunity to simply direct the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

Essendon equalised minutes later through an own goal. A near post corner was deflected in and scores were level by the 17^th minute.

As the half wore on, Groba began to impact the match more. After first being denied by a correct offside call she made no mistake from her second opportunity. Groba cruised clear behind the Academy defence and gave her side the lead with a terrific close range finish.

Essendon added a thid just minutes later when Kendrah Smith buried home a header from Airi Fujiwara’s well placed corner.

Fujiwara had one of her own in the second half. The Royals ruthlessly counter-attacked after FV Academy began on the front foot. Groba’s low cross was controlled by Fujiwara who buried the chance to make it 4-1.

Groba and Fujiwara combined for the last goal of the afternoon. A ball into the middle found Groba under close attention from her marker. Without needing to look or even control the ball, The Royals forward turned the ball into the path of Fujiwara who was left unmarked to finish and make it five.

It was a final score that reflected ruthless finishing, but not the balance of play. FV Academy had their chances in a game that they played in fearless, attacking fashion.

Fiorina Iaria was particularly dangerous on the left flank and sent in numerous crosses that somehow evaded strikers and defenders. Clancy Westaway was a regular threat with her trickery and quick turns.

Essendon’s experience and athleticism was too much for The Academy side to contain in the end, with Groba adding a few moments of genius that the opposition were unable to match.

Essendon face a slightly tougher opponent next week when they face top placed South Melbourne. FV Academy will look to bounce back against The Boroondara-Carey Eagles.

In other games, Heidelberg United conceded in the first minute of play against Preston United. Valentine Pursey gave the visitors an early lead in the meeting between last season’s Grand Finalists.

Sawa Matsuda levelled the scores on the stroke of half time, but Pursey’s 47^th minute strike re-took the lead for Preston.

Two more goals for Matsuda and a sealer by Aeryn Tarrant gave Heidelberg a 4-2 advantage by the final whistle.

A flurry of activity saw two goals in the final minute of play, but Georgia Ghuliani’s 90^th minute finish for Bentleigh Greens was not enough to defeat Boroondara Carey Eagles who left as 2-1 winners thanks to strikes from Saki Nagai’s winner and Candela Ferreyra Bas’s opener.

Brunswick Juventus enjoyed a second win of the season after defeating Spring Hills FC 2-1 at home. Julia Budiongo gave the visitors and eighth minute lead, but that rarest of things in football, a goal from a goalkeeper levelled the scores before half time.

Payton Woodward’s free-kick from half way somehow bounced an evaded everybody in the penalty area for what was obviously her first of the season. Danaya Mckenzie’s 81^st minute strike ensured that Brunswick left with all three points.

Two goals from Emma Runnalls and one from Zoe Houghton gave Alamein a 3-1 win at home to Box Hill United. Georgia Karaparidis brought one back in the final minutes of play for the visitors.

And finally for the round, South Melbourne and Bulleen Lions played out a hard fought 2-2 draw at Lakeside Stadium. It was a shame that this game was played almost simultaneously to the A-League Women Grand Final because this was a clash of the reigning premiers and this season’s early leaders.

Olivia Bomford opened the scoring in the 9^th minute with a close range tap in, but Hollie Massey levelled things up with a calm finish after dispossessing and rounding the goalkeeper outside of the 18 yard box.

South Melbourne re-took the lead following a frenetic piece of play that saw the ball launched long into the box before bouncing off several players and the wood work before being bundled in by Grace Taranto.

Massey’s 75^TH minute equaliser was the last goal of the day. Nia Salleh carried the ball deep into Bulleen’s attack before cutting it back for Massie to tap in and give Bulleen what could be a crucial point.

That result saw a change in the top of the ladder. South Melbourne remain undefeated but are winless in their last three. Heidelberg United have leapt into first place, and can consolidate that with a win against a steadily building Bulleen on Saturday.

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The World Sevens: Day One Overview

Above: Bayern Munich v Ajax. Photo: Women’s World Sevens Website.

The inaugural World Sevens competition kicked off this week in Portugal. Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie and Clare McEwen break down the action from the first day of the tournament.

What is the World 7s competition?

The “World 7s” tournament is a new international seven-a-side women’s football competition. It is being held from May 21 to May 23, 2025, at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota in Estoril, Portugal.

All games are broadcast free on DAZN.

Day one – the results

Manchester City 4 – 0 Rosengard

Ajax 2 – 4 Bayern Munich

Roma 2 – 3 Manchester United

PSG 2 – 1 Benfica

Manchester City – Rosengard

**Above:** Manchester City v Rosengard. **Photo:** World Sevens Website.

Score: 4-0

Goal scorers:

Manchester City: Fujino 2′, Kerolin 5′, 16, Oyama 25′

Takeaways from the game:

City adapted to the format straight away and stretched the pitch using the lack of offsides to make space. Rosengard failed to adapt and were punished again and again. Kerolin was unplayable with her quick feet and cool finishing. She obviously really enjoys the format. City will be hard to beat if they keep that up. It’d adapt to survive in this fast-paced format.

Ajax – Bayern Munich

**Above**: Tuva Hansen celebrates scoring. **Photo**: Bayern Munich website.

Score: 2 – 4

Goal scorers:

Ajax: Keukelaar 3′, Yohannes 24′

Bayern: Own goal Van Eijk 6′, Viggosdottir 11′, Hansen 17′, Dallmann 20′

Takeaways from the game:

Ajax were the stronger team in the opening minutes, buoyed by an early goal. Yohannes in midfield looked particularly bright going forward – getting into dangerous spaces and using the smaller pitch to her advantage working in tight spaces. For Ajax, the young American was definitely the most aggressive player.

Ajax had more significant issues defensively. There seemed to be a measure of confusion around the back (perhaps natural due to the unknown format and inexperience on the size of pitch), and individual errors were costly. Once Bayern were level, they dominated most of the possession and capitalised on defensive errors from their opponent. They also made more use of the lack of offside rules.

Roma – Manchester United

**Above**: Manchester United v Roma. **Photo**: World Sevens Website.

Score: 2 – 3

Goal scorers:

Manchester United: Bizet 12′, Toone 14′, Clinton 20′

Roma: Giugliano 14′, 18′

Takeaways from the game:

A much more tactical game with more player-to-player marking and less obvious space. Neither team was making much use of stretching the pitch with an offside player like City did in their game. Players were still on the shoulder of the last defender throughout much of the match and will need to adapt as the tournament goes on. Some great technical play, though and Giugliano was terrifying on the break. I think both sides will have learned from that tight opener.

PSG – Benfica

**Above**: PSG v Benfica. **Photo:** World Sevens Website.

Score: 2-1

Goal scorers:

PSG: Benera 8′, Dorsin 22′

Benfica: Martins 8′

Takeaways from the game:

The teams will have had the benefit of watching the previous games and this showed in the tactical display. The teams were more evenly matched, both sides had chances and both opted for much more direct play than we saw earlier in the day, when teams like Manchester United tried at times to play out from the back.

Takeaways from the day

The first day of a new competition with a very different setup – a smaller pitch, seven players, rolling substitutions, no offside rule, and so on. Some teams adapted much more quickly than others; teams like Manchester City adapted fairly quickly, whilst teams like Bayern (to an extent) and Manchester United took a bit longer. Tomorrow’s matches will be more interesting as all teams will have a game under their belt in this new format and will play twice – once early afternoon and later in the evening.

Tomorrow’s fixtures include Man City v Ajax, Roma v PSG and Man United v PSG – all live on DAZN.

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McMahon’s late super strike sends Melbourne City to Champions League Final

Melbourne City 1-0 Incheon Red Angels

by Alyce Collett (21/5/25)

Above: Bryleeh Henry strides forward against Incheon Red Angels tonight. Photo: Melbourne City.

Melbourne City are through to the final of the AFC Women’s Champions League after a thrilling 1-0 win over Korea Republic’s Incheon Red Angels in tonight’s semi-final.

It was a very even match for much of the match, but a final-second screamer from Shelby McMahon broke the deadlock and sees City move on to face Wuhan Jiangda in Saturday night’s final.

Both sides were finding the space really well early, finding free players and using the wings with relative ease.

However, it was the Red Angels who looked the more likely to score early, with their speedy forwards such as Yuka Toriumi and Kim So-eun able to work their way past the City defenders and get themselves in dangerous positions.

When City did find themselves with back-to-back scoring opportunities, one thing they were not afraid to do was shoot from distance, with Bryleeh Henry and Leticia McKenna both not afraid to put their powerful shots to use.

The defenders were the true stars for both teams, though, with the match playing freely and end to end for much of the half, but resolute defending denied even the closest of shooting attempts.

City, in particular, were certainly spending plenty of time in their attacking third, but just could not find players in enough space or set players up with strong enough passes.

As the half progressed and half time came closer, neither side really looked like they were going to open the scoring.

The Red Angels started the second half more on the front foot than City were, but just could not keep their shots on goal down enough for them to go into the back of the net.

Up the other end, City were trying to free up Holly McNamara and really get her more into the game, but attacking play after attacking play, she was continuously outnumbered by the Red Angels’ defenders.

As the second half progressed, the ball continued to freely flow from one end to the other, but neither side had a realistic chance to open the scoring.

There was a nervy energy at times during the final 10 minutes of the match, and there was this sense that one tiny mistake was all that it was going to take to open up the game and get the scoring started.

The Red Angels went close on a number of occasions, but could not quite find the back of the net.

Just as it was looking like the game was destined for extra time, McMahon backed herself and scored a long bomb with mere seconds left in stoppage time to break the hearts of City’s highly fancied opponents and keep City’s Champions League hopes alive.

They now advance to Sunday’s final to face the Chinese side Wuhan Jiangda, who defeated Hồ Chí Minh City 2-0 in the other semi-final. The Final will be played at Wuhan’s 54,000 capacity Sports Centre stadium.

Teams: MELBOURNE CITY (4-4-2): Mieres, Roestbakken, Stott, Otto, Apostolakis, McKenna, Hughes, Davidson, Henry, McNamara, Speckmaier. Substitutes: Varley, Harvey, Pollicina, Murray, McMahon, Meyers, Bosch, Karic, Accardo, Barbieri, Vlajnic, Rossi.

Scorer: McMahon 90+4’.

INCHEON RED ANGELS (4-4-2): M.Kim, S.J.Lim, H.Mun, Y.Ko, H.Yong, C.Jang, M.Kim, Y.Oh, Y.Toriumi, S.M.Kim, S.Kim. Substitutes: Seong, J.Kim, Kang, Seo, Park, Choi, D.Lee, S.Lee, Namgung, M.S.Kim, Suzuki, Bae.

Referee: Pansa Chaisanit (THA).

Attendance: 1,026.

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Arsenal & Barça’s Forgotten Women

By Ella McShane (21/05/2025)

Above: The Barcelona Femini play at Camp Nou in 1979. Photo: FC Barcelona.

The stage is set for two trailblazers of the women’s game to meet in Lisbon this week, as FC Barcelona and Arsenal face off in the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final.

In the third feature of our countdown to the final, Impetus Football’s Ella McShane takes a look at the unsung heroes behind two of the biggest clubs in the women’s game.

The 1987 Arsenal Ladies

In 1987, Aylesbury women’s manager Bob Sayell stepped down to begin a well-earned retirement in Menorca. At the time, Arsenal were looking to replicate fellow London side Millwall Lionesses, by having an affiliated first women’s team. Starry-eyed Arsenal community manager Vic Akers assumed control of the manger-less Aylesbury and ‘Arsenal Ladies’ was born.

The 1980s were a decade characterised by the advanced liberation of women and development of their legal rights. Whilst the sex discrimination act of 1975 made football more accessible to women, deep rooted social prejudice continued to hinder women’s involvement in the sport – from grassroots to the professional level.

As for the Arsenal squad itself, a large majority of the trailblazers involved are unprofiled. With comprehensive and reliable documentation of the women’s game in England only available from the early 2000s onwards.

Thanks to the release of the film Copa 71, Gill Sayell—Player of the Season in 1987—has emerged as one of the most prominent figures from that squad. A talented winger, at the age of fourteen Sayell was part of Harry Batt’s trailblazing British Independents who competed in the unofficial 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico. She remains one of the true unsung pioneers of the women’s game.

**Above:** two members of Arsenal’s 1987 squad. **Photo:** Arsenal Women on X.

FC Barcelona Femení – Trailblazers under a regime

The genesis of what we now know as Barcelona Femení came almost three decades prior to the Arsenal Ladies.

Despite an official ban on women’s football, the game gained a niche popularity in Spain and Catalonia – particularly in Barcelona – in the 1960s. FC Barcelona fostered this aspect of the community by hosting exhibition games at Camp Nou, however not with continuity in mind.

In 1970, 18-year-old Immaculada Cabeceràn met with FC Barcelona president Agustí Montal to voice her own and women’s football’s potential. The president gave what was then perceived as a generous gesture: FC Barcelona’s backing if Cabeceràn could find enough players.

A call to action was posted in the local newspaper, and Cabeceràn formed the inaugural FC Barcelona Femení side (then known as ‘Seleccio Ciutat de Barcelona’ ‘City of Barcelona Selection’ in English.

The inaugural squad played their first match at Camp Nou on Christmas day 1970, drawing a crowd of 60,000 spectators. Pioneers of the women’s game were making their debuts; Captain Lolita Ortiz and goalkeeper-turned-coach Núria Llansà, and ex-player / manager Antoni Ramallets.

**Above**: Nuria Llansa. **Photo**: FC Barcelona.

Although received perceptively well by the Barcelona public, it is important to note that the squad lived under the Francoist dictatorship, a political regime that saw women in Spain lose many of their rights. The focus on women’s rights saw the Seleccio Ciutat de Barcelona actively endure sexist abuse both on and off the pitch.

Despite the barriers they faced, the group continued to play matches that generated large crowds and interest. In 2002 this paid off as FC Barcelona Femení became an official part of FC Barcelona – bringing additional funding and resources to the team.

Both FC Barcelona and Arsenal’s early investment has given them the head start needed to claim the term ‘powerhouse’, but who will come out on top this weekend?

If you missed the previous articles in our countdown to the UWCL final, you can find them below:

Vic Ackers and Arsenal’s trophy-ridden past: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/05/20/arsenal-women-trophy-hunters-across-time/
The financial implications of the UWCL: https://impetusfootball.org/2025/05/19/its-good-to-share-rethinking-the-creation-and-distribution-of-revenue-in-the-womens-game/

The Champions league final between Arsenal and Barcelona will be played in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday May 24th at 17:00 UK time. It will be broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK and on DAZN elsewhere.

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Arsenal’s women: trophy success across time

By Clare McEwen (15/05/2025)

Above: Arsenal’s Champions-League winning squad in 2007. Photo: Arsenal FC.

In the second piece of our week’s countdown to the UWCL final, Impetus Football’s Clare McEwen revisits Arsenal’s history as a trophy-winning machine.

In England during the 1980s and into the 1990s, Doncaster Belles was the team name that even casual followers of the game had heard. Appearing in many FA Cup finals — at the time, the only women’s game shown on TV — they were probably the only team most people could name. They were a successful team, a fairly dominant team. And their dominance was about to be challenged.

In 1987, Vic Akers began his mission to build a successful women’s football team: Arsenal Ladies was born. Akers didn’t want to just put together a team though, he wanted to change how women’s football was built. In a time when it was a completely amateur sport, Akers employed a level of professionalism at Arsenal that other WSL clubs are only reaching now. It was this professional approach that made Arsenal so successful then, and is why they still lead the way now.

**Above**: Vic Akers with the UEFA Women’s Cup (now known as the Champions League) trophy. **Photo:** David Price/Arsenal FC.

Aker’s professionalism covered all aspects of the game: his tactics, his scouting and recruitment practices, his training drills, and the way he approached the financial management, even with very limited resources. He often found jobs for the players at the club so they didn’t have to travel for training and could support themselves without leaving the Arsenal environment. He committed himself to his players, both their wellbeing and their football careers, and in return he got a level of professionalism from them that was unrivalled at the time. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Vic Akers revolutionised women’s football in England and set the standard.

He and his players soon began to reap what they’d sown as trophies began to fill the Arsenal cabinet. It should be noted that even at this early stage in the women’s team’s history, they were very much part of the Arsenal family. Unlike other clubs, Arsenal were proud of their women’s team and supported them from the start. The support they received from the men’s team was instrumental in their rise to glory and what helps keep them there today, ahead of the rest in terms of equality.

In 1992, Arsenal Ladies won their first trophy, the Premier League Cup. In the 1992-93 season, they won their first FA Cup beating Doncaster Belles 3-0 at Oxford United’s Manor Ground. During that season they recorded an historic treble, also beating Doncaster Belles to the league title by a single point, before beating Knowsley United (later Liverpool) in the League Cup Final. That League Cup Final also made history as the first women’s cup final to be played at Wembley, when it was the support act for the men’s Third Division play-off final played straight after it.

**Above:** Arsenal striker Jo Churchman with the 1992 FA WNL trophy. **Photo:** The FA.

Akers had two spells in charge of Arsenal Women (he left to be Arsenal men’s kit man in between). His first was between 1987 and 1997 and then he was back between 1998 and 2009. During his 22-years in charge, the team won 33 major trophies. In total, he helped them win three trebles, 10 FA Cups, 10 Premier League Cups, and 12 Premier League titles. He also oversaw their historic quadruple winning season when they picked up all possible domestic trophies as well as their first Champions League title (although the tournament was called the UEFA Women’s Cup at the time).

The European competition was only in its sixth season when the Gunners lifted the trophy. During that competition, 43 teams took part. Arsenal were drawn in group B4 alongside Danish side Brøndby, Russian team Rossiyanka, and the Hungarian Femina. They won all three games and comfortably qualified for the quarter-finals. The Gunners drew Icelandic team Breiöablik in the two-legged quarter-final, beating them 5-0 and 4-1. In the semi-final they again faced Brøndby, this time beating them 5-2 on aggregate to progress to the final.

Umeå, the strong Swedish side were their opponents in the final. The team included a young Marta who finished the tournament as second top-scorer (six goals) behind another Umeå player, Hanna Ljungberg (seven). Arsenal had Kelly Smith (third highest with five goals), but it was a tall order to beat the Swedish team.

The final was played over two legs. Despite all the goalscorers in the teams, it was the defence who were the sharpest as it ended as a 1-0 aggregate win for Arsenal. Fittingly it was a defender who scored the winner when Alex Scott found the back of the net during time added on. Arsenal took the 1-0 lead from the away leg and saw out a scoreless draw at home to lift the European trophy. So far, they are the only English team to have done so.

**Above**: Arsenal with their quadruple of trophies. Photo: @Arsenal on X.

If you need proof of Vic Akers’ prowess when it came to scouting, that Arsenal squad included Faye White, Anita Asante, Mary Phillip, Gilly Flaherty, Katie Chapman, Lianne Sanders, Rachel Yankey, Julie Fleeting, and Karen Carney, as well as Kelly Smith and Alex Scott. It also included Renée Slegers.

That campaign fell within a period of complete dominance by this Arsenal side, the women’s Invincibles. Between 2004 and 2012, The Gunners won nine league titles in a row. During that period, they lost only five games; between 2003 and 2009, they didn’t lose a single league game: 108 games without defeat. A record that is unlikely to ever be broken. They also recorded 51 league wins in a row during this spell.

Since Akers moved on in 2009, the team have had a range of coaches, but the very fabric of Arsenal Women and Vic Akers’ influence remain strong. With increased competition from other teams the trophy cabinet expansions have slowed, but trophies rarely stop flowing in. During their history, Arsenal Women have also made eight prior Champions League quarter-final appearances and six prior semi-final appearances.

Now, already with 52 major trophies to their name, Renée Slegers will hope to add the biggest to their bulging trophy cabinet once more.

If you missed the first article in our countdown to the UWCL final, you can find it here.

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Meet Madison Hadley, the FA Cup’s top scorer

By Catherine MacKenzie (19/05/2025)

Above: Madison Hadley at Wembley. Photo: The FA.

Madison Hadley is the 2024-25 FA Cup Golden Ball winner, scoring 11 goals in four games. Before being presented with the trophy at Wembley, she spoke to Impetus’ Catherine MacKenzie and other journalists.

Hadley is at Wembley Stadium in London ahead of the Women’s FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea. The twenty-four-year-old Preston North End player will be presented the 2025 golden ball – the trophy handed to the tournament’s top goal scorer – by legendary ex-England boss and two-time FA Cup winner Hope Powell.

The award is sponsored by Mitre, who are the original sponsor of the competition on its formation in 1971, presenting an opportunity to shine a light on those teams and players who make up the early rounds of the competition. It is rare that a club from below England’s top two tiers will make it to the later stages of the competiton, meaning lower-league teams get significantly less media coverage and attract smaller fanbases.

Including the qualifying and early rounds of the competition in the Golden Ball race means those players and clubs can get the attention they deserve.

Hadley made the trip to Wembley from Lancashire, where she works full time as an activities co-ordinator for a care home. She plays her football for Preston North End in England’s sixth tier. A world away from the United and Chelsea teams who will face off in London, Preston’s women play their games at Inglewhite Road, the home of Longridge Town FC men, who play in the ninth tier of English men’s football.

**Above:** Inglewhite Road stadium. **Photo:** @LongridgeTownFC on X.

Walking onto the pitch at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium will be a different experience. Speaking to Hadley, it is clear that being at Wembley – the heart of English football – to be presented with a trophy, is a moment that she will cherish:

“It’s crazy being here today. It’s really kind of like, I can feel it now. I have my suit on. It’s crazy because I’ve never dreamt of this.”

The striker, like many in the world of women’s football, grew up playing football with the boys at school. The boys all played for school teams, but Hadley continued playing with them when she could:

“I was about seven, I grew up playing with the boys at school. They all played for teams, and I thought I’d join in with them, that’s how it started.”

Hadley is from Lancashire, a region of England’s north that has been vital in the development of English women’s football. Its significance comes from strong local football traditions and the local teams that have helped shape the sport.

For example, the Dick, Kerr Ladies were founded in Hadley’s hometown of Preston; pioneers of women’s football, they played their first match on Christmas Day, 1917 in front of 10,000 spectators; eventually drawing crowds of over 50,000.

Founded during the first world war by women working at the Dick, Kerr & Co. munitions factory in Preston, the women were producing ammunition for the war and playing football during break times. In 1920, they became the first women’s team to play an international match, facing a French team in a series of games in both France and England.

They continued to play in the face of the FA’s 1921 ban on women’s football – using non-FA pitches and unofficial methods. Asked about playing football in an area of such historic significance, Hadley was positive:

“It’s getting better and better, with women’s football growing and growing. You can see it in our league and in our team as far as well like with the funds, we’re getting the young girls that are coming as far as to be like this. So it’s nice.”

Before ending our conversation – Hadley wanted to catch up with her mother and make sure she had a good seat – I asked about her favourite current players:

“I love Lauren James. I think she’s just such a good player, like it just looks easy when she plays. The likes of Ella Toone, so we’ve got Arsenal like Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, all those sorts of players.”

Even if the team from nearby Manchester did not take the trophy back up north, the Golden Ball did make its way to the region – a trophy the players Hadley mentioned above would love to get their own hands on someday.

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It’s good to share: rethinking the creation and distribution of revenue in the women’s game

***Above:*** *Arsenal take on Lyon in their home leg on the UWCL final. **Photo:** @cozphotos.*

By Christine Oughton (19/0525)

In the first of a week’s coverage of articles from eleven Impetus Football writers in the build up to this year’s UWCL final, Christine Oughton reviews the financial specifics of the competition.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) final between Arsenal and Barcelona in Lisbon on 24 May 2025 will not only determine which team are crowned champions of Europe, but also the financial spoils. Running in parallel with the allocation of sporting honours in the UWCL, UEFA’s financial allocation model determines how much participating and non-participating clubs receive. This financial allocation will shape the ability of clubs to compete in the forthcoming 2025-26 season.

The winners of the final will walk away with €350,000 and the runners-up €250,000, plus well over a further €1 million each from the fixed payments, group stage and knockout stages. To put that in context, the prize money from the final alone would likely cover a good part of the transfer fee of Jill Roord, Gabi Nunes, Kiera Walsh, Laia Aleixandri, Mariona Caldenty or Emily Fox. In addition, the finalists have gate money from some well attended pre-final matches with crowds of over 30,000 and 40,000. All told, sporting success in the UWCL brings in income that contributes to further success for the top clubs.

In an attempt to promote solidarity and to prevent the UWCL undermining the competitive balance of national leagues, UEFA’s financial model requires “solidarity” payments to be made to non-participating clubs. The question is, are these solidarity payments enough?

Of the total €24 million UWCL revenue to be distributed in the 2024-25 season, €5.6 million has been earmarked for non-participating clubs. This money is distributed to the 50 national associations that have at least one participating club in the competition. Solidarity payments to national leagues are intended to be divided equally across clubs in the top league, and are earmarked for the development of the game. National associations may also choose to distribute the money more widely to lower leagues.

***Above:*** *Cata Coll (left) makes a save in the second-leg of the UWCL semi-final, where Chelsea were defeated 4-1 at Stamford Bridge. **Photo:** @cozphotos.*

With 50 participating national leagues and, say, 10 non-participating clubs in a league (the number of clubs varies across national leagues), non-participating clubs will receive around €11,200 each on average if the payments are confined to the top tier. In practice it’s a bit more complicated, as solidarity payments are meritocratically linked to the performance of a league’s participating clubs. Still, on average, non-participating clubs will receive less than 1% of the revenue going to the finalists, which is barely enough to hire one trainer one to two days per week. Progressive distribution to the second tier or beyond will spread the money more thinly with more clubs benefiting, but by a smaller amount – less for training and development in the top league, but more for the second league, though the amounts are low for both leagues.

Women’s football has grown substantially in the last few years. It is an undoubted success story: gates, viewing figures, commercial income and interest are all on the rise and most expect this to continue, but there are signs that the elite UWCL clubs are pulling away from the rest of the clubs in their leagues. The Union of European Clubs has called for greater solidarity payments. There is a need to enhance competitive balance within and across leagues to maximise interest in the game. Closely fought relegation battles and league title races maintain interest in matches throughout the season and generate more revenue. Maintaining and enhancing competitive balance will require more redistribution as the game develops. This can be done against growing revenue streams so all benefit.

Due to the ban from 1921-1971 women’s football was not able to develop, as the men’s game did, in an era of equal division of TV income within and across leagues and gate sharing that helped lower-placed clubs and lower leagues. Those redistribution mechanisms enabled the men’s game to expand across the pyramid. National and regional associations, like The FA and UEFA, are the guardians of the pyramid and they can and should do more to promote the development of the women’s game within and across leagues right down to the grassroots. The prospect of rising revenues offers a golden opportunity for all to benefit. More redistribution earmarked for development, promotes competitive balance, generates fan interest and brings more revenue. It’s a win-win.

***Above:*** *The attendance at the Emirates for the semi-final first-leg, where Arsenal saw defeat to Lyon. **Photo:** @cozphotos on Instagram.*

UWCL revenues are set to grow by 57% in 2025-26 from €24 million to €37.7 million but solidarity payments will only increase from €5.6 million to €6.2 million representing a fall in percentage terms from 23% to 16%. This effect will be tempered by the fact that the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup means there will be more participating clubs, but non-participating clubs will see financial gaps widen.

It’s time for UEFA, The FA and national leagues to rethink the distribution rules to further promote the development of women’s football. This can be used alongside other measures e.g. the spreading of best practice via support and improved licensing to help smaller clubs develop their revenue streams,and greater access to larger stadia. Arsenal has led the way in showing how access to a club’s main stadium can significantly enhance revenue and the fan base. Other clubs can and should follow suit, including via developing new stadia as in the case of Brighton Hove Albion. Such measures will help grow revenue and attract more investment in women’s football.

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