Unveiling Ruby Grant: An emerging star’s footballing journey
20/12/23
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan (20/2/22).
Above: Klara Andrup shows her joy after hitting a superb equaliser for IF Brommapojkarna against Djurgården on Sunday. Photo: Tomas Sedin / Sedinbild.
Damallsvenskan Round 20 Wrap:
Kristianstads gained an important victory in the Champions League race as they ended Hammarby‘s recent excellent form with a 3-1 win in front of 725 fans. The home side stamped their authority on the game early when Amanda Andradottir put them ahead with 12 minutes played. Ten minutes into the second half, the prolific Tabby Tindell doubled Kristianstads lead after being played in by Mia Carlsson. Hammarby brought on Matildas pair Courtney Nevin and Elise Kellond-Knight in response, joining Kyra Cooney-Cross who started the match. However, Emelia Oskarsdottir extended the home side’s lead further before a consolation for the visitors came at the end when Savage Hashish benefited from Fanny Rönnlund’s assist.
Rosengård remain top after a comprehensive 6-2 win over struggling IFK Kalmar – but they certainly did not have it all their own way. Indeed, the visitors built leads of 1-0 and 2-1 before succumbing to the defending champions’ quality. Viola Nambi put Kalmar ahead with 13 minutes on the clock before Olivia Schough fed Mia Persson to level within 120 seconds. Wilma Finnman restored the visitors’ lead before the half-hour mark before Ria Öling levelled matters eight minutes from the break. The second half was all Rosengård as strikes from Loreta Kullashi and an 18-minute hat-trick from Karin Lundin sealed the points to the delight of the 876 fans.
BK Häcken‘s faltering Champions League qualification hopes gained a boost with a 2-1 win at Eskilstuna United. Hanna Wijk fed Stine Larsen to put the visitors ahead just after the half-hour mark. Mia Jalkerud supplied the assist as Paulina Nyström levelled with just over an hour played to the joy of the gathered 1,031. With 20 minutes remaining, Marika Lundin settled matters with Häcken’s winner.
IF Brommapojkarna gained a point to (temporarily?) climb out of the automatic relegation zone against Stockholm rivals Djurgården. They had to do it the hard way though, coming from behind as Stinalisa Johansson put the visitors ahead after 25 minutes. Klara Andrup levelled matters with a superb shot that whistled past legendary Djurgården goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl just over 10 minutes from time.
KIF Örebro hammered another nail in AIK‘s miserable season after handing the Solna-based side a 5-1 thrashing, with even Australian international Remy Siemsen’s second goal in two games doing failing to ease the pain. Berglind Augustdottir hit Örebro’s opener on the half-hour mark. It remained a single-goal lead until a spell of two goals in five minutes either side of the hour mark effectively settled matters. Nathalie Persson fed Regan Steigleder to double the hosts’ lead with Katie Lockwood benefitting from Augustdottir’s assist. With 20 minutes left, Siemsen gave AIK a glimmer of hope, but this was snuffed out as Örebro added two further goals in the closing stages thanks to Heidi Kollanen’s penalty and Michaela Kovacs’ effort which was greatly appreciated by the crowd of 391. AIK, despite only recording two wins for the season, are still just three points from safety.
Linköping are second, two points behind leaders Rosengård after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Vittsjö. The home side fielded three Matildas in their starting line-up. Clara Markstedt provided the assist for Jutta Rantala to give Vittsjö the lead to the delight of the 695 crowd. Shortly before the hour mark, Alva Selerud found Michelle De Jongh who levelled. Then, with six minutes remaining, Linköping sealed all three points with Olga Ahtinen on target.
Piteå won the final game of the round at struggling Umeå IK. The only goal of the game came from Josephine Johansson five minutes before the break thanks to Anam Imo’s assist.
Round 21 Fixtures (24th – 26th Sept): BK Häcken v IF Brommapojkarna, Kristianstads v Djurgården, Rosengård v Vittsjö, IFK Kalmar v Piteå, AIK v Eskilstuna United, Umeå IK v KIF Örebro, Hammarby v Linköping.
Elitettan News:
The weekend’s big game was the battle of the top two which saw IK Uppsala and Växjö go head to head in front of 306 fans. The outcome, a 2-0 win for Växjö, puts them four points clear at the top of the table and in pole position to claim an instant return to the Damallsvenskan. Fittingly, it was the recently announced Elitettan player of the month for August, Evelyn Ijeh, who hit both goals, after 19 and 62 minutes.
Third-placed Alingsås FC United lost a major chance to cut the gap on the top two as they conceded a goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time in a 1-1 draw with an Ifö Bromölla IF side who are in the lower third of the table. Rebecca Cameras gave Alingsås the lead three minutes before the break. Then at the death, up popped Desirée Tiittanen to score a dramatic leveller for the visitors to the frustration of the 150 crowd.
Whilst remaining in fourth, IFK Norrköping took advantage of Alingsås’ slip-up to close the gap after a 3-1 win at Sundsvalls in front of 74 fans. My Cato’s strike put the visitors ahead right on half-time. Ebere Orji brought Sundsvalls back into the game with a leveller eight minutes into the second half. IFK Norrköping then took charge as Wilma Leidhammer and Cato’s stoppage-time strike sealed the win.
Team TG FF gained a hugely important three points in their battle to beat the drop with a hugely dramatic 2-1 win at second-bottom Rävåsens IK Karlskoga. They had to do it the hard way with Christie Gray giving the home side the lead seven minutes into the second period. Rävåsens held the lead until two minutes from time when an own goal gave Team TG FF a lifeline. Then, five minutes into stoppage time up stepped Alexandra Sandstrom to score a winner for the visitors to plunge the home crowd of 126 into dispair. Team TG FF are consequently seven points clear of the drop zone.
Results Round 20: Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 1-2 Team TG FF, Alingsås FC United 1-1 Ifö Bromölla IF, Lidköpings FK 4-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-1 Gamla Upsala SK, Sundsvalls 1-3 IFK Norrköping, IK Uppsala 0-2 Växjö, Bergdalens IK 3-2 Jitex BK.
Round 21 Fixtures (24th – 25th Sept): Gamla Upsala SK v Bergdalens IK, Jitex BK v IK Uppsala, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Alingsås FC United, Ifö Bromölla IF v Älvsjö AIK FF, Sundsvalls v Lidköpings FK, IFK Norrköping v Team TG FF, Växjö v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan and DandalBs provides his news round-up from around the leagues
Above: Vittsjö and their Australian internationals celebrate during their 3-0 win at Djurgården. Photo: Bildbyrån via Vittsjö.
Damallsvenskan Round 19 Wrap:
Umeå IK are suddenly looking over their shoulders near the bottom of the table after a 5-0 thumping at BK Häcken. Pauline Hammarlund contributed a hat-trick, the first of which came after 19 minutes after Hanna Wijk found her. Six minutes before the break, Hammarlund grabbed her second as Elin Rubensson provided the assist. Two goals in a four-minute spell early in the second half killed off any hopes that Umeå had as Hammarlund completed her hat-trick and Stine Larsen played in Anna Csiki to make it 4-0. Mille Jensen made it five in the closing stages, to the delight of the assembled crowd of 1,232.
AIK‘s season of struggle continued as they went down to a 6-2 defeat at home to second place Kristianstads. Whilst the Solna-based side will have the positive of their Australian international striker Remy Siemsen scoring her first goal since moving to Sweden, it only came after they were well beaten. Kristianstads’ red-hot attacking force of Evelyn Viens and Tabby Tindell produced the visitors’ first three goals between them. Viens completed her hat-trick six minutes into the second half with Mia Carlsson making it 5-0 with only 56 minutes on the clock. AIK grabbed the first of two consolations with 20 minutes to go thanks to an own goal before Siemsen scored with two minutes remaining. However, Kristianstads had the final word at the death as Viens grabbed her fourth in front of a crowd of 432.
Hammarby‘s strong squad showed that they are most definitely in the race for Champions League qualification after they became only the second team all season to defeat defending champions and league leaders Rosengård. Played in front of an excellent crowd of 1,538, the Stockholm-based side took a grip of the game in the opening 24 minutes as two goals from Swedish international Madelen Janogy set them on the way. This was a match that saw four Australian internationals on the team sheets, with Elise Kellond-Knight (Hammarby) and Teagan Micah (Rosengård) starting and Kyra Cooney-Cross joining Courtney Nevin on the bench for the home side. Rosengård’s lead at the top of the Damallsvenskan is subsequently cut to three points. Hammarby are now just five points outside of the top three.
IFK Kalmar are also looking nervously over their shoulders in the bottom third of the table after going down 4-0 at home to KIF Örebro. Three goals in a nine-minute spell after the half-hour mark settled matters in front of 360 fans. Regan Steigleder hit Örebro ahead with Michaela Kovacs doubling the advantage within six minutes. Emelia Pelgander made it three. Within two minutes of the second half opening, Berglind Augustdottir completed the rout.
Linköping came from behind twice to defeat Eskilstuna United 5-2 at home. The visitors produced a game show which made light of their financial problems which has necessitated the trimming of their squad. Noor Eckhoff gave Eskilstuna the lead on 22 minutes – an advantage that lasted only four minutes before Amalie Vangsgaard grabbed the first of four goals to level. Eckhoff struck again to ensure the visitors led at the break. Therese Simonsen equalised before Vangsgaard scored three in 18 minutes to complete her tally for the game.
Piteå‘s hopes of breaking into the top six foundered as they were held 0-0 at home to second-bottom IF Brommapojkarna in front of a crowd of 982. This was an excellent result for the visitors who are now within just two points of IFK Kalmar, who are in the lowest safe position in the table.
Vittsjö move up to sixth after a 3-0 win at Djurgården. Starting with all three of their Australian internationals – Clare Polkinghorne, Charli Grant, and Katrina Gorry – the visitors took a stranglehold on the match thanks to two goals from Jutta Rantala in a seven-minute spell with Gorry returning from Matildas international duty to score Vittsjö’s third in front of 442 fans.
Round 20 Fixtures (16th – 19th Sept): Rosengård v IFK Kalmar, Kristianstads v Hammarby, Eskilstuna United v BK Häcken, IF Brommapojkarna v Djurgården, KIF Örebro v AIK, Umeå IK v Piteå, Vittsjö v Linköping.
Elitettan News:
Växjö are a point clear at the Elitettan summit after a comprehensive 6-0 win at home in the top verses bottom clash with Älvsjö AIK FF. Two goals on either side of the half-hour mark from Dessislava Dupuy put the hosts in control. Amanda Altheden made it three four minutes into the second period. Three more goals came in the final 15 minutes with Evelyn Ijeh, Mimmi Strömgren, and Sophia Redenstrand on target in front of 286 fans.
IK Uppsala are second after a 2-1 win a Team TG FF Goals from Johanna Renmark and Nicole Robertson before the break set the visitors on their way. Emma Åström’s strike nine minutes into the second half gave the hosts hope, but they couldn’t fashion an equaliser to the frustration of the 84 fans gathered.
Alingsås FC United are third, a further point behind, after a 5-0 win at home to Sundsvalls. Olivia Sultan and Lisa Johansson put the hosts ahead towards the end of the first half, with an own goal four minutes into the second stanza increasing the lead. Two goals in seven minutes in the final quarter of the encounter from Rebecca Cameras and Pernilla Milton completed the scoring in front of 150 fans.
Results Round 19: Gamla Upsala SK 0-3 Jitex BK, Alingsås FC United 5-0 Sundavalls, Ifö Bromölla IF 1-3 Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 3-0 Bergdalens IK, Team TG FF 1-2 IK Uppsala, Växjö 6-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping 4-1 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.
Round 20 Fixtures (17th – 19th Sept): Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Team TG FF, Alingsås FC United v Ifö Bromölla IF, Lidköpings FK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF v Gamla Upsala SK, Sundsvalls v IFK Norrköping, IK Uppsala v Växjö, Bergdalens IK v Jitex BK.
News Round-Up
by DandalBs
Eskilstuna United‘s financial problems sees them continue to sell players. The latest to depart is 22-year-old Norwegian defender Elise Stenevik, who has joined WSL side Everton.
The Champions League final qualifying round draws for Swedish sides see Rosengård paired with Norwegian side Brann, with BK Häcken given a tough test against Paris St. Germain.
Swedish star Freja Olofsson is heading to Real Madrid from Racing Louisville in a move that has seen a six-figure transfer fee in return.
BK Häcken‘s Lotte Ökvist has joined Eskilstuna United on loan. Häcken head coach Robert Vilahamn favours other players in Ökvist’s position and she hasn’t even made the bench the post-Euro matches. Also departing Häcken is Julia Karlernäs who has joined Serie A newcomers Como.
Sweden had a successful ending to their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win over Finland. Goals from Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig, Linda Sembrant, Rebecka Blomqvist, and Fridolina Rolfö earned an impressive victory.
Sweden have revealed an extremely challenging schedule for the next international window has been revealed. Peter Gerhardsson’s side will play Spain in Cordoba on 7th October, four days before taking on France in Göteborg.
There are reports that AIK‘s Honoka Hayashi is close to signing with West Ham United in the WSL.
The Damallsvenskan Player of the Month nominees for September were Vilde Hasund (Hammarby), Rebecca Knaak (Rosengård) and Fanny Andersson (Piteå).
The Swedish Scene
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.
The Swedish Scene
We welcome back DandalBs with his transfer news from the Swedish leagues. The Elitettan is back from a month’s break (the top tier Damallsvenskan doesn’t resume until mid-August) meaning Ben Gilby rounds up the best of the action from Sweden’s second tier (26/7/22).
Above: Swedish superstar Hedvig Lindahl has returned to the Damallsvenskan and joined Djurgården. Photo: Aftonbladet.
NEWS ROUND-UP – Transfers:
by DandalBs
Legendary Swedish international goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl seems to have decided to aim for a place at the 2023 World Cup after signing a contract with Djurgården until next year. The Stockholm-based club are said to be “happy and proud” by the news and Lindahl is looking forward to play for them. The club have also announced the arrival of Sweden U23 left-back Ebba Hed on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Hed was previously with Madrid CFF.
BK Häcken have completed five deals since the last Swedish Scene column. They started off with the signing of international duo Dóra Zeller from Hungary and Matildas’ defender Aivi Luik. Zeller comes from Bayer Leverkusen and Luik most recently from Italian side Pomigliano. Their arrival has been added to with the arrival of Swiss goalkeeper Livia Peng. Peng, 20, was in the Switzerland squad for the Euros, and is a replacement for Jaqueline Burns, who left recently. Peng comes from Swiss top club FC Zürich. Also coming in is Sweden U19 star Anna Sandberg from KIF Örebro on a four-year contract in a deal that is rumoured to have cost it €50,000. Their most recent arrival is Anna Anvegård who has signed on a free transfer from English Super League side Everton.
Mie Leth Jans, who left Vittsjö and returned to Denmark for personal reasons, has signed for Danish champions HB Köge. Jans had also been an impressive performer for Perth Glory in the 2021/22 A-League Women campaign.
After several weeks of rumours, Karin Lundin has joined Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård from Serie A side Fiorentina. Lundin scored eight goals in 19 matches for midtable Fiorentina last season and has signed a two-year contract. The defending champions have also brought in 22-year-old German midfielder Gina Chmielinski from Turbine Potsdam. She’s been an important offensive player with the Bundesliga side and has represented all of Germany’s international youth teams. Another addition today was 21-year-old Danish midfielder Olivia Holdt from Fortuna Hjörring on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Hammarby have added to their impressive array of signings by adding Arsenal’s 30-year-old Danish defender Simone Boye to their squad. The Stockholm-based side has recently signed internationals Jonna Andersson, Courtney Nevin, and Kyra Cooney-Cross as part of a hugely exciting team. Boye made 14 appearances for the Gunners last season.
Canadian forward Jenna Hellstrom has left KIF Örebro to join French Pro D1 Arkema side Dijon. Hellstrom was on her fifth Damallsvenskan season.
Strugglers AIK have arranged a deal with Eskilstuna United to sign 22-year-old forward Emma Engström.
Kristianstad has signed 25-year-old defender Easther Mayi Kith to strengthen the team before their Champions League qualification campaign. Mayi Kith is a Canadian-born Cameroonian who has spent the last years playing in France, most recently Stade de Reims. They have additionally announced the return of club stalwart Therese Ivarsson after two years maternal leave. Defender Klara Rybrink has departed for Norwegian side Lilleström after only half a season.
Ronja Aronsson, a 24-year-old defender, returns to her Piteå after two years with Linköping and most recently half a season with Serie A side Fiorentina on a one and half year deal.
Rumours are abound that Sweden U19 defender Anna Sandberg will join BK Häcken from Örebro for €50,000.
Linköping‘s young Ukrainian midfielder Nadiia Kunina goes on a one-year loan to Austria Wien.
NEWS ROUND-UP – Friendly Matches:
by DandalBs
With the Damallsvenskan returning in just over three weeks time, several friendly matches have been played over the weekend.
First, on Saturday, BK Häcken defeated Norwegian side Lilleström 4-0 thanks to a debut goal from Anna Anvegård with Julia Karlernäs grabbing a brace with the remaining goal from Dilja Yr Zomers.
Elsewhere, Djurgården defeated Elitettan leaders IK Uppsala 2-1 thanks to goals from Louise Hvarfner and Lova Lundin. Djurgården have another friendly planned for 31st July against KIF Örebro. Finally, Kristianstad defeated Danish champions Köge 2-1 with both goals from Canadian international striker Evelyne Viens.
ELITETTAN:
by Ben Gilby
After around a month’s break, Sweden’s second-tier league got back underway at the weekend with all teams with games in hand in action. With leaders IK Uppsala not in action, second-placed Alingsås FC United reduced the gap at the top to a single point after a 3-1 win at bottom side Älvsjö AIK FF in front of 96 fans. The home side went ahead just after the half-hour mark thanks to Moa Sjöström, but second-half strikes from Tove Lorén and Olivia Sultan sealed the win for Alingsås.
Växjö are third, another point behind after coming from behind to win 5-1 win at second-bottom Rävåsens IK Karlskoga in front of 115 spectators. Sara Öjebo gave the hosts a shock lead with 13 minutes on the clock. However, a spell of two goals in two minutes turned things around between the 16th and 18th minutes. Scores were level with an own goal before Dessislava Dupuy maintained her hot scoring streak from before the break to put the visitors ahead. Further goals from Elin Nilson and Mimmi Strömgren made it 4-1 before the break. Evelyn Ijeh completed the scoring with 11 minutes remaining.
Lidköpings FK are fourth after a 4-1 win at home to Ifö Bromölla in front of 213 fans. Tilde Ahlén put the hosts ahead just before the quarter-hour mark before Amanda Olsson levelled after 26 minutes. Hanna Boubezari put Lidköpings back ahead on the hour before two further goals in the final two minutes from Ronja Karlsson Törnborg and Dorothea Gruelich completed the scoring.
Jitex BK remain in the promotion hunt after a dramatic 3-2 win at Team TG FF in a game watched by 112 spectators. Alexandra Sandstrom put the home side ahead with 26 minutes played only for Julia Hellstrom to level in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Elin Abrahamsson restored Team TG FF’s lead, which lasted 12 minutes before Linnea Strömberg tied it up again from the penalty spot. Then, five minutes into stoppage time, Hellstrom sealed a last-gasp winner for Jitex.
Round 13 Results: Sundsvalls 0-2 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 1-5 Växjö, Team TG FF 2-3 Jitex BK, Lidköpings FK 4-1 Ifö Bromölla, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-3 Alingsås FC United.
Round 14 Fixtures: Lidköpings FK v Team TG FF, Gamla Uppsala v Växjö, Alingsås FC United v IFK Norrköping, Ifö Bromölla v Bergdalens IK, Älvsjö AIK FF v IK Uppsala, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Jitex BK v Sundsvalls.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan as Sweden’s top two divisions played their final matches before the mid-season break and we welcome back DandalBs with his news round-up from around the leagues. (21/6/22).
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross gets a shot in on her debut for Hammarby against BK Häcken on Friday night. Photo: Hammarby IF.
NEWS ROUND-UP
by DandalBs
Vittsjö announced today that Katrina Gorry has extended her contract for another season. Speaking about her decision, the Australian international said: “I’m so excited to be signing for another year. I’ve really enjoyed the first half of the season and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the 2nd half. The club, the team, and Harper’s nannies have become our new family so it was an easy decision to stay. There is something special about Vittsjö and we are lucky to be a part of it.”
Sweden’s national team coach Peter Gerhardsson, whose contract expires after the 2023 World Cup, has been contacted by several clubs and national teams. Even though he is said to miss club coaching, no offers have been interesting enough to tempt him so far.
Kosovare Asllani, who recently left Real Madrid, is strongly rumoured to join AC Milan. When the same rumour surfaced last year, her agent denied it. This time he hasn’t commented.
Ugandan international Violah Nambi training with Damallsvenskan side IFK Kalmar. Nambi, who played for Växjö last year, comes from a successful half-season in Austria’s second division where she scored eight goals.
DAMALLSVENSKAN
by Ben Gilby
Round 15 kicked off on Friday night with inform Hammarby hosting a BK Häcken side desperate to get back to winning ways after only taking four points from the last 15 available to them in front of a crowd of 1,464.
The home side could have taken the lead three minutes before the break, but Emma Jansson’s penalty was saved. Marika Bergman Lundin had an eventful opening to the second half for the visitors having come on at the break. Within seven minutes, she had been booked and then put her side ahead. Less than 60 seconds later, Andrine Hegerberg doubled BK Häcken’s lead.
Kyra Cooney-Cross made her long-awaited debut for the Stockholm-based side with 23 minutes remaining, joining her Matildas teammate Courtney Nevin, who has been in superb form in the Hammarby line-up. Matilda Vinberg got a goal back for the hosts six minutes into injury time at the end of the match.
AIK‘s tough campaign got even more challenging when they were beaten 6-0 at home by leaders Rosengård in front of a crowd of 241. With Matildas stars Remy Siemsen and Teagan Micah starting for either side, and no place for Charli Grant in the visitors’ squad, Rosengård built a 2-0 lead at the break thanks to strikes from Sofie Bredgaard and Jelena Cankovic. Any hopes that the Solna-based hosts had of getting back into the game went up in smoke within three minutes of the re-start when Olivia Schough fed Cankovic to grab her second. Within eight minutes Schough made it 4-0 and added another just after the hour mark. Emma Berglund completed the rout a minute before the end. AIK remain bottom, but are within three points of safety. When the season resumes in August, matches against their fellow strugglers will decide their fate.
IF Brommapojkarna are second-bottom after going down 3-1 at home to European chasing Eskilstuna United. Elise Stenevik provided the assist for Paulina Nyström to put the visitors ahead after 16 minutes. Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene benefitted from Felicia Rogic’s set-up to make it 2-0 seven minutes before the break. Rogic sealed the win from the penalty spot on the hour mark. Ida Bengtsson got a goal back for the hosts, but Eskilstuna ran out comfortable winners in front of 152 fans.
Kristianstads are third after securing their fifth straight win, seeing off Piteå 1-0 in front of 759 fans. Evelyn Viens maintained her red-hot scoring streak with the winner after just 10 minutes.
Linköping are second after destroying Umeå IK 7-0 in front of 622 fans. Olga Ahtinen put the hosts ahead after 26 minutes. Yuka Momiki netted the first of her two goals for the afternoon shortly afterwards. Amalie Vangsgaard made it 3-0 at the break. Further goals from Heidi Ellingsen and Alva Selerud either side of Momiki’s second put Linköping 6-0 up before Johanna Svedberg completed the scoring four minutes from time.
Djurgården headed towards the upper reaches of midtable after a 1-0 win on the road at IFK Kalmar. Julia Walentowicz scored the winning goal nine minutes from time in front of 313 fans.
Vittsjö‘s European hopes suffered a setback after going down 2-1 at home to KIF Örebro in a game watched by 623 fans. Fielding both Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry, the hosts went ahead after 36 minutes through Linda Sällström. However, that was as good as it got for Vittsjö. Two goals in two minutes before the break from Jenna Hellstrom and Michaela Kovacs turned the game in Örebro’s favour.
Next Fixtures: 6th August: IFK Kalmar v Kristianstads. 12th August: Kristianstads v Vittsjö. 14th August: Umeå IK v IFK Kalmar, Eskilstuna United v Hammarby, KIF Örebro v IF Brommapojkarna, Piteå v AIK. 15th August: Djurgården v Linköping. 19th August: BK Häcken v KIF Örebro, Piteå v Rosengård.
ELITETTAN
by Ben Gilby
Leaders IK Uppsala saw off a Team TG FF side who are only just above the drop zone as expected. However, they had more difficulty imposing themselves on the scoreboard than many of the assembled crowd of 213 may have expected. Hanna Persson scored the only goal after 26 minutes. The win was further tempered for the home side by the news that Taryn Ries had to leave the game due to a foot injury
IFK Norrköping lost the chance to remain second when they could only draw 1-1 at Jitex BK. Alexandra Hellekant gave the hosts the lead with just two minutes on the clock. My Cato earned the point with just over 15 minutes left.
Växjö took advantage of IFK Norrköping’s stumble to go second with their expected demolition of struggling visitors Bergdalens IK which delighted the crowd of 347. The hosts were ahead after just two minutes due to an own goal. Hanna Stokki made it 2-0 20 minutes later. The second half started with a bang as Evelyn Ijeh netted her customary goal before Mimmi Strömgren got in on the act just past the hour mark. Dessislava Dupuy hit a brace before Izabella Bergström hit a consolation for Bergdalens.
Alingsås FC United are second, one point behind IK Uppsala after demolishing second-bottom Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 10-0 at home in front of a crowd of 190. There were five goals in each half. Lisa Johansson and Stine Jensen both grabbed hat-tricks, with Alma Öberg adding a brace and Olivia Sultan contributing one along with Ina Österlind
Round 12 Results: Ifö Bromölla 0-1 Sundsvalls, IK Uppsala 1-0 Team TG FF, Jitex BK 1-1 IFK Norrköping, Mallbackens IF Sunne 4-1 Lidköpings FK, Växjö 6-1 Bergdalens IK, Alingsås FC United 10-0 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Gamla Upsala 3-1 Älvsjö AIK FF.
Next Fixtures: 23rd June: Bergdalens IK v Gamla Uppsala. 27th June: IFK Norrköping v IK Uppsala. 23rd July: Sundsvalls v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Växjö, Team TG FF v Jitex BK. 24th July: Lidköpings FK v Ifö Bromölla, Älvsjö AIK FF v Alingsås FC United.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan as their mid-season break draws ever closer (14/6/22).
Above: In-form Hammarby celebrate after their latest victory – 4-0 against IFK Kalmar. Photo: Hammarby IF.
DAMALLSVENSKAN
BK Häcken‘s poor run, which has seen them lose their last two and take only four points from the last 15 available continued as they went down 3-2 at home to Vittsjö in front of 1,028 fans.
Matildas star Clare Polkinghorne started for Vittsjö with international teammate Katrina Gorry on the bench, and their side went ahead just before the half-hour through Sandra Adolfsson, yet the lead only lasted eight minutes as Mille Gejl Jansen levelled. It remained level until the 59th minute when the visitors re-took the lead thanks to Jutta Rantala and a decisive 3-1 scoreline was earned when Linda Sällström fed Clara Markstedt to score. Marika Lundin gave BK Häcken hope within two minutes, but the visitors earned the points which put them up to fifth, just behind Häcken on goal difference.
Rosengård moved five points clear at the top, and are now 10 ahead of perennial title rivals BK Häcken after a 5-2 win at home to Umeå IK in front of 1,181 fans. Teagan Micah continued her form in goal, with Charli Grant not selected for this encounter. The defending champions were 2-0 up at the break after goals from Katrine Vejle and Olivia Schough. Two further strikes in four minutes at the start of the second half sealed the outcome as Sofia Bredgaard and Loreta Kullashi netted. An own goal six minutes from time further increased Rosengård’s advantage. Umeå rallied with two goals in the final three minutes thanks to Lisa Dahlqvist and Villemo Dahlqvist which will frustrate the hosts. However, it looks hard to see anyone stopping Rosengård from adding another Damallsvenskan title to the Svenska Cupen that they have already put in the cabinet this season.
Hammarby‘s sensational run continued with a fifth successive win as they comfortably saw off IFK Kalmar 4-0 in front of 983 ecstatic fans. In-form Courtney Nevin started, with Kyra Cooney-Cross listed on the bench, without coming on. Hammarby also has former Chelsea star Jonna Andersson to come into the team – so this exciting side will get even stronger after the break for the European Championships.
Nevin’s fine form continued as she supplied Emma Jansson for the opening goal after just two minutes. Adelina Engman doubled the Stockholm side’s advantage just ahead of the half-hour mark. Jansson made it three right on half-time from the penalty spot. Eva Nyström completed the scoring sixteen minutes from time. Hammarby are now up to sixth – five points outside the top three and have a massive game against out-of-form BK Häcken in their final game before the break.
Kristianstads are third after a 2-1 win on the road at IF Brommapojkarna – a fifth straight win. Canadian star Evelyn Viens continued her red-hot form with both goals. They came either side of Vaila Barsley’s goal for the hosts, a strike which came courtesy of an assist from Daniella Famili in front of 137 fans.
Linköping remain Rosengård’s closest title rivals after a 2-1 win over bottom club AIK. Olga Ahtinen strike on the quarter-hour mark put the hosts ahead with Amalie Vansgaard doubling the advantage four minutes into the second half. Australian international Remy Siemsen provided hope for the Solna-based side when she supplied the assist for Linda Hallin. However, to the delight of the 542 fans, Linköping ran out 2-1 winners.
Eskilstuna United are sixth after a 2-0 win at home to KIF Örebro in front of 902 fans at Tunavallen. Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene put them on the way to the three points with a goal after just six minutes. Noor Eckhoff’s free-kick decided matters five minutes before the break.
Piteå returned to winning ways after a midweek loss to AIK when they saw off Djurgården 3-0 at their Lombia IP home. It was goalless at the break, but an own goal put the hosts ahead eight minutes into the second half, with Hlin Eiríksdóttir continuing her good goalscoring form by making it 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining. She grabbed her brace just three minutes to the delight of the crowd of 932.
Round Fifteen Fixtures: Hammarby v BK Häcken, AIK v Rosengård, IF Brommapojkarna v Eskilstuna United, Kristianstads v Piteå, Linköping v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v Djurgården, Vittsjö v KIF Örebro.
ELITETTAN
There was huge drama in the Uppsala derby as league leaders IK Uppsala gained a sensational 5-4 win at Gamla Upsala on Friday night in front of a bumper crowd of 613. Mathilda Henriksson put the home side ahead with 17 minutes gone, but two goals in eight minutes turned the game on its head. Johanna Renmark and Taryn Ries put IK Uppsala ahead with the prolific Nicole Robertson making it 3-1 six minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half.
The drama took hold early in the second period as an own goal brought Gamla back into the game at just 3-2 down. However, there was another twist involving two goals in quick succession – this time two in four minutes as Rosa Ossorio and Robertson pushed IK out to a 5-2 advantage. The crowd, royally entertained all night were treated to yet another rally of goals. Sanna Öhlund and Josefin Lindström brought Gamla Upsala back into the game at 5-4. There were still 20 minutes remaining on the clock at this stage, but IK Uppsala remained in front on the scoreboard by the odd goal in nine at the final whistle.
Växjö lost vital ground at the top after being held 1-1 away to Ifö Bromölla IF. The newly-promoted team are now in their best form of the season and looking to pull away from the lower reaches of the table. Hannah Stokki put the visitors ahead just before the half-hour mark, but Amanda Olsson delighted the majority of the 154 spectators by levelling 11 minutes later.
Alingsås FC United continued their promotion push with a 1-0 win at Sundsvalls in front of 65 spectators . The only goal came from Alexandra Roholt with 20 minutes played.
IFK Norrköping moved up to third with a comprehensive 5-0 win at Team TG FF. The game was pretty much over within the first half-hour when the visitors built a three-goal lead. Minnie Asperot netted after both two and 28 minutes with Sabina Ravnell scoring in between. Asperot completed her hat-trick just before the break. Thilde Alvberger grabbed Norrköping’s fifth with 11 minutes remaining.
Round 11: Gamla Upsala 4-5 IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls v Alingsås FC United, Bergdalens IK 2-7 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Ifö Bromölla 1-1 Växjö, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-4 Jitex BK, Lidköpings FK 3-2 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Team TG FF 0-5 IFK Norrköping.
Round 12 Fixtures: Ifö Bromölla v Sundsvalls, IK Uppsala v Team TG FF, Jitex BK v IFK Norrköping, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Växjö v Bergdalens IK, Alingsås FC United v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Gamla Upsala v Älvsjö AIK FF.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the action from a hugely important week of action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action (7/6/22).
Above: Sensational action from Djurgården‘s game with IFK Kalmar in Round 12. Photo: DIF.
DAMALLSVENSKAN
The top two went head to head on Friday night with second-placed Linköping hosting leaders Rosengård in front of a bumper crowd of 2,609. It was a game full of action at the Linköping Arena.
Fresh from their Svenska Cupen Final success last week, Rosengård hit the front on the half-hour mark as Loretta Kullashi netted. However, the lead lasted just four minutes as Nellie Karlsson levelled for the hosts. Just before the break, the goal momentum shifted back to the defending champions as Kullashi grabbed hers and Rosengård’s second.
The key breakthrough came 20 minutes from time as Guðrún Arnardóttir headed home Jelena Čanković’s corner to put the visitors 3-1 ahead. Once more though, Linköping hit back almost immediately as Therese Simonsson gave the home side renewed hope. The pendulum swung back towards the visitors with 11 minutes remaining when Mimmi Larsson supplied the pass for Olivia Schough to re-establish her team’s two-goal lead. There was the potential for late drama when Linköping got back to 4-3 when the assistant referee ruled that the ball had just gone over the line off of Rosengård goalkeeper Teagan Micah, but the visitors had done enough to earn a vital win in the race to retain their title.
The round got underway on Wednesday night with Djurgården gaining an important 4-0 win over IFK Kalmar as they continued their positive run of form in front of 431 happy fans at Stockholm Stadium. The game was ultimately decided with three goals in an 11-minute spell in the early stages of the action. With just eight minutes of the clock, Tilde Lindwall supplied the ball for Stinalisa Johansson to put the home side ahead. Within 120 seconds, Tove Almqvist played in Hayley Dowd to double Djurgården’s lead. On 19 minutes, Lindwall was involved again as she fed Almqvist to make it 3-0. Sara Vidlund found Luva Lundin to make it 4-0 in stoppage time at the end of the game.
BK Häcken took advantage of Linköping‘s defeat to Rosengård to move back into second with a 5-1 win at IF Brommapojkarna in front of 142 fans. Three goals in a 24-minute spell ultimately settled matters. Anna Csiki found Mille Gejl Jensen to put the visitors ahead just after the quarter of an hour mark before Jensen turned supplier for Pauline Hammerlund to make it 2-0. Jensen was back on the scoresheet with 36 minutes played after being played in by Stine Larsen. There was another flurry of goals in the final 12 minutes which started with Diljá Ýr Zomers extending Häcken’s lead to four. Mathilda Splendor got one back near the end for the home side before Molly Johansson restored Häcken’s four-goal advantage in second-half stoppage time.
Eskilstuna United and Vittsjö, two of the sides battling to make it into the top four faced off at Tunavallen on Sunday, with neither team being able to advance their cause for potential Champions League qualification after a 0-0 draw in front of 840 fans.
Piteå came from 1-0 down to defeat Umeå IK 3-1 in the Norrland derby. It was a result which continues their fine recent form. Vilma Koivisto gave the visitors the lead on 12 minutes to the chagrin of the 721 home crowd. It was a lead that lasted for just under a quarter of an hour before Cecilia Edlund found Hanna Andersson to level. Katrina Guillo was next for the assist as she played in Anam Imo to give Piteå the lead. Imo completed the scoring with two minutes remaining as she converted a penalty.
Kristianstads are fourth after a 3-0 win at home to KIF Örebro in front of 549 fans. The hosts are finding goals easy to come by this season and in Tabby Tindell and Evelyn Viens, have two of the stars of this season’s Damallsvenskan. Michaela van den Bulk put Kristianstads ahead with 12 minutes played before Viens got in on the act on 51 minutes after being found by Mia Carlsson. Tindell maintained her position at the top of the league’s scoring charts with her ninth of the season to settle matters 12 minutes before time.
Hammarby moved up to seventh as they condemned rock bottom AIK to another defeat after seeing them off 2-0 at home in front of 2,634 fans. Australian international Courtney Nevin continued her run of scoring when she was found by Emilia Larsson with 36 minutes played. Nevin turned provider three minutes later for Emma Jansson to make it 2-0. Savage Hasund missed a penalty late on for the home side.
Round 13 Fixtures (Midweek): BK Häcken v Eskilstuna United, Djurgården v IF Brommapojkarna, IF Kalmar v Rosengård, KIF Örebro v Hammarby, Umeå IK v Linköping, Vittsjö v Kristianstads, AIK v Piteå.
ELITETTAN
Going into the weekend, Alingsås FC United were the competition’s league leaders, but that came to an end after defeat at home to newly-promoted Gamla Upsala in front of 186 fans. Initially, there was no sign of that surprising outcome as Tove Lorén gave the hosts the lead with only two minutes played. Yet, Gamla replied just three minutes later as Thea Barkfeldt levelled. The winner was struck by Sanna Öhlund after 68 minutes.
That result meant that there is a log jam once more at the top of the Elitettan. The new leaders are IK Uppsala who, as expected ran out comfortable winners over bottom side Älvsjö AIK FF. Uppsala got a boost to their goal difference, which, at present is vital at the top of the table, with a 6-0 win success in front of 168 supporters. Two first-half goals from Wilma Thörnkvist and one from Rosa Ossoria set Uppsala on their way with Hanna Persson’s brace and Ella Gunnarsson’s strike at the death completing the rout.
Växjö who ran out 3-2 winners against fellow promotion hopefuls Lidköpings FK in front of 271 fans at their Visma Arena home. Växjö’s prolific scorer Evelyn Ijeh put the hosts ahead with 17 minutes played. It remained that way until 10 minutes into the second period when there was a burst of two goals in as many minutes. First, Jenny Stadin levelled ahead of Ijeh grabbing hers and Växjö’s second. Ijeh completed her hat-trick with fifteen minutes to go. There was a tense finale as an own goal gave Lidköpings renewed hope, but Växjö got over the line and are second by just goal difference from IK Uppsala. Indeed there are just two points separating the top five.
Ifö Bromölla IF won a vital game at the bottom, 4-1 away to fellow newly-promoted side Rävåsens IK Karlskoga. There was drama in the opening period as Karlskoga’s Rebecka Mannström missed a penalty but then made amends seven minutes later by putting her team ahead. The second half was dominated by Bromölla who took the lead thanks to two strikes from Milla Larsson. Jindra van Reeden extended their lead to 3-1 before Vilma Hansson completed the scoring two minutes from time to the disappointment of the 108 fans. This result moves Bromölla out of the relegation zone
Round 10: Team TG FF 2-1 Bergdalens IK, IK Uppsala 6-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, Jitex BK 3-1 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Växjö 3-2 Lidköpings FK, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 1-4 Ifö Bromölla IF, IFK Norrköping 3-0 Sundsvalls, Alingsås FC United 1-2 Gamla Upsala SK.
Round 11 (Fixtures): Gamla Upsala v IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls v Alingsås FC United, Bergdalens IK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Ifö Bromölla v Växjö, Älvsjö AIK FF v Jitex BK, Lidköpings FK v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Team TG FF v IFK Norrköping.
Share this:
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.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the latest action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan (24/5/22).
Above: Hammarby celebrate Elsa Karlsson’s dramatic late winner in the Stockholm derby with Djurgården. Photo: Hammarby.
DAMALLSVENSKAN
Round Ten opened on Friday night at Tunavallen where Eskilstuna United hosted unbeaten league leaders Rosengård in front of an excellent crowd of 1,970.
It took an hour for the first goal to arrive, and it fell the way of the visitors as Olivia Schough played in Stefanie Sanders to score. Fifteen minutes later, Jelena Cankovic provided the assist for Emma Berglund who doubled Rosengård’s advantage. Matters were settled at the death with an own goal. It was yet another clean sheet for Rosengård’s Australian international goalkeeper Teagan Micah.
IFK Kalmar gained a vital win against fellow newly-promoted side Umeå IK – with both sides positioned just above the drop zone. There was an explosive start at the Guldfågel Arena with three early goals. Alyssa Walker fed Juliette Kemppi to put the hosts ahead with just four minutes on the clock. Henna Riikka Honkanen levelled for Umeå, but just a minute later, Kemppi grabbed her and Kalmar’s second after being played in by Charlotte Novotny. Lisa Björk levelled just after the half-hour mark. The game was ultimately decided from an own goal which sealed Kalmar’s 3-2 win.
Linköping are third, two points behind leaders Rosengård after a comprehensive 5-1 win at IF Brommapojkarna. Alice Ahlberg put the hosts ahead after just two minutes from the penalty spot to the delight of the 129 supporters. However, it was one-way traffic on the scoreboard after that. Therese Simonsen levelled just eight minutes later, and just before the break grabbed her second to put the visitors ahead at the interval after Yuka Momiki played her in. Seven minutes into the second half, Olga Ahtinen was the provider for Amalie Vangsgaard to put Linköping 3-1 ahead. Just after the hour mark, she also grabbed her brace. The scoring was completed with just over 20 minutes to go when Heidi Ellingsen fed Momiki to seal the 5-1 win.
BK Häcken slipped two points behind Rosengård at the top after conceding a late goal at Piteå which saw the game end all square. The visitors went ahead just before the break as Stine Larsen’s assist allowed Mille Jensen to score. Three minutes before the end, up popped Hlin Eiríksdóttir to earn Piteå a notable point to the delight of the excellent crowd of 1,392.
AIK’s tough season took another turn for the worse after a 5-1 drubbing at Kristianstads ensured they are three points adrift at the bottom of the Damallsvenskan. The home side’s pair Evelyn Viens and Tabby Tindell took advantage of AIK’s troubles to contribute four of their team’s goals to the joy of the 567 spectators. Gabrielle Carle found Viens to put Kristianstads ahead with only six minutes played. Tindell doubled the home side’s lead just before the half-hour mark. AIK got a goal back with 22 minutes to play as Chinyelu Asher netted. However, this only spurred the hosts to go up a gear. Tindell grabbed her second eight minutes after Asher’s goal to re-establish Kristianstads’ two-goal lead. The star has now scored eight goals in 10 league matches this season. Less than two minutes later, Emmi Alanen made it 4-1. Alice Nilsson fed Viens to complete the rout in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes. For the Solna-based side, and their Australian international striker Remy Siemsen, it is looking like a long season of struggle ahead.
Vittsjö are fifth after an excellent 1-0 win at KIF Örebro. A tense battle that saw the visitors rack up five yellow cards was only decided in the final three minutes when their Matildas star Katrina Gorry hit a superb shot that curled into the net. The goal can be seen here during the match highlights: https://www.facebook.com/vittsjotjejer/videos/550140300061027
The final game of the round took place yesterday with the Stockholm derby between Djurgården and Hammarby. In front of a crowd of 1,854, it was a tense game with a dramatic ending. Emilia Larsson found Vilde Hasund to put Hammarby ahead nine minutes into the second half. Yet, with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, Hayley Dowd provided the assist for Tilde Lindwall to level matters for the home side. Then came the dramatic ending as in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, Elsa Karlsson fired the winner for Hammarby.
ROUND ELEVEN FIXTURES: KIF Örebro v Eskilstuna United, BK Häcken v Djurgården, AIK v Linköping, IFK Kalmar v Hammarby, Vittsjö v IF Brommapojkarna, Rosengård v Piteå, Umeå IK v Kristianstads.
ELITETTAN
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
Lidköpings FK are two points clear at the top after a 4-0 win at newly-promoted Team TG FF. Two goals in 10 minutes in the opening quarter of an hour from Ida Pettersson put Lidköpings in the driving seat. Just after the hour mark, Dorothea Greulich put the visitors three-up with Emma Gabrielsson sealing the win with 11 minutes remaining in front of 120 fans.
IK Uppsala continued their promotion push with a dominant 8-1 win over Sundsvalls. There was drama from the off for the 200 gathered spectators as Johanna Renmark put the hosts ahead with five minutes played. Yet within four minutes, the visitors were level thanks to Michelle Flores. Three goals in an 18-minute spell ultimately settled the game in Uppsala’s favour. Renmark re-established their lead before two strikes from Nicole Robertson. Wilma Thörnkvist made it 5-1 at the break. Robertson completed her hat-trick in the second half in addition to another strike from Thörnkvist and Taryn Ries’ goal to make it 8-1.
Växjö also produced a goal glut in a 7-1 destruction of Gamla Upsala SK. Hanna Stokki put the hosts in front, to the delight of the 102 fans on just four minutes. Yet there was no sign of the scoreboard domination that followed as Thea Barkfeldt levelled eight minutes later. Evelyn Ijeh’s strike put the home side ahead at the break. It was three goals in 15 minutes in the second half that firmly decided this encounter. Dessislava Dupuy made it 3-1, before Ijeh’s second and an own goal confirmed the home side’s win. Two goals in the final ten minutes from Mimmi Strömgren were the icing on the cake.
Älvsjö AIK FF remain bottom after a 2-0 loss at IFK Norrköping. Strikes from Minnie Asperot and Lovisa Gustavsson’s penalty sealed the win for the hosts.
Round Eight: Alingsås FC United 3-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Norrköping 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Uppsala 8-1 Sundsvalls, Jitex BK 2-1 Ifö Bromölla IF, Växjö 7-1 Gamla Upsala SK, Team TG FF 4-0 Lidköpings FK, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 1-5 Bergdalens IK.
Round Nine (Fixtures): Lidköpings FK v Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Team TG FF, Sundsvalls v Jitex BK, Bergdalens IK v IFK Norrköping, Ifö Bromölla IF v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Växjö, Gamla Upsala SK v Rävåsens IK
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the latest action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan with some big games played and major developments at AIK (10/5/22).
Above: Dramatic action in the game between Hammarby and Vittsjö. Photo: Hammarby.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
AIK’s dreadful start to the season reached a new low after losing 4-2 at home to bitter cross-city rivals Djurgården. Remy Siemsen had the first chance for the hosts, but struck the woodwork. The home support among the crowd of 998 were frustrated as Djurgården hit the front. Stinalisa Johansson’s cross from the right was turned into her own net by AIK captain Hannah Davison.
It got worse 10 minutes later as Sara Olai broke through to find Hayley Dowd to fire home. Three minutes before the break, AIK grabbed a lifeline when Chinyela Asher’s shot went in off of the post.
On the hour mark, AIK’s Linda Hallin saw her pass intercepted by Dowd who showed a clean pair of heels to score. However, just seven minutes later, the home side were back in it once more. Caroline Murray broke through and saw her shot rebound off of the post and in.
Jennie Nordin thought she had scored a dramatic leveller for AIK a minute into stoppage time when her shot bounced around on the goal line, but the officials ruled it had not gone over. Matters were decided four minutes later when Djurgården’s Lova Lundin scored from the penalty spot after Sara Nordin handled.
Since this match on Sunday, there have been major changes at the club with the departure of their entire management team. Sporting Director Anne Mäkinen, Head Coach Maiju Ruotsalainen and Assistant Coach Scott Swainston all left on Monday.
In their place come Herish Sadi as Acting Sports Director, with Jesper Björk and Nebojša Novaković as head coaches. Michael Nilsson is the new assistant coach. Speaking about the changes, Manual Lindberg, AIK’s CEO said: “Our goal this year is to establish ourselves in Damallsvenskan, which is also reflected in the resources allocated for the year. We can state that when a quarter of the season is played, we are not in line with set and expected performance goals and therefore we are forced to act.”
BK Häcken opened Round Seven on Friday night with a crucial match against top four rivals Linköping. After drawing three of their first six matches, Häcken knew that they could not afford to drop anything.
Spurred on by a crowd of 726 at their Bravida Arena home, the ever reliable Johanna Rytting Kaneryd gave her team the lead just after the quarter hour mark. Elin Rubensson’s sensational solo goal three minutes into the second half settled matters.
Taking possession just inside the Linköping half, Rubensson danced along the left, cut across the box and fired in a rocket from the edge of the box. It got worse for Linköping as Nilla Fischer was sent-off with twenty minutes left.
Rosengård are two points clear at the top after a 3-0 win at Umeå IK in front of 655 fans. Bea Sprung gave the defending champions the lead just before the half-hour mark with Emma Berglund doubling their advantage just ahead of half-time. The third came after 64 minutes thanks to Sofie Bredgaard.
The biggest crowd of the weekend was at Hammarby Idrottsplats for Hammarby’s home game with Vittsjö. There were 1,016 in the stands to see Sarah Stratigakis give the visitors the lead with just six minutes played.
However, the Stockholm-based side levelled eight minutes before half-time thanks to Emilia Larsson’s strike. Madelen Janogly’s goal with 11 minutes to play gave the home fans high hopes of a third win of the season. Yet, less than two minutes later, Australian international Clare Polkinghorne struck to seal Vittsjö a point.
Eskilstuna United are fifth after an excellent 2-1 win at Piteå who had only lost one game prior to this. Elin Rombing played in Mia Jalkerud to put the visitors ahead on 22 minutes. Hlín Eiríksdóttir supplied Aman Imo for Piteå’s equaliser just under 10 minutes into the second period to the delight of the crowd of 810. With five minutes to go, the points went the way of Eskilstuna after an own goal.
Kristianstads gained a comprehensive 4-1 win at home IF Brommapojkarna in front of 498 fans. With 20 minutes on the clock, Emma Petrovic supplied Michaela van den Bulk to put Kristianstads ahead. Just after the half-hour mark, Tabby Tindell grabbed her customary goal thanks to Delaney Pridham’s assist for her sixth strike in seven games. Pridham was involved in Kristianstads’ third as she supplied Petrovic in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Just after the hour mark, Bromma gained a faint hope when Tempest-Marie Norlin found Mathilda Splendor who scored. Yet, just four minutes later, once more Petrovic played in van den Bulk to seal the 4-1 success.
ROUND EIGHT FIXTURES: Djurgården v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v Vittsjö, Eskilstuna United v AIK, IF Brommapojkarna v Hammarby, KIF Örebro v BK Häcken, Linköping v Piteå, Rosengård v Kristianstads.
ELITETTAN
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
The already tight nature at the top of the Elitettan was further emphasised as four of the top five went head to head this week.
First up was the clash between Växjö in second, who travelled to third placed Alingsås FC United. A tough game ended goalless in front of 175 fans.
Leaders Lidköpings FK hosted a Sundsvalls side who went into the match with only one loss all season. It was the home side who emphasised their promotion credentials with a superb 3-0 success to extend their lead at the top to two points. Sarah Michael, and two goals from Ida Petersson (one penalty) sent the 156 fans home happy.
IK Uppsala renewed their promotion charge with a 4-1 thrashing of Jitex BK in front of 175 fans. They hit the front with just six minutes on the clock thanks to Nicole Robertson’s strike from Rosa Herros Ossorio’s link-up.
Herros Ossorio was a huge influence on the game. She also provided her team’s second as Helen Eke nodded home her cross thirteen minutes later put the hosts well on the way to the points. She then made it 3-0 just before the break after Wilma Thörnkvist’s ball from the left. with Robertson’s second goal on the hour mark sealing the win. Ella Ygfeldt hit a consolation for Jitex with 11 minutes remaining – she had previously hit the woodwork an incredible three times.
Round Six: IK Uppsala 4-1 Jitex BK, Team TG FF 2-0 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Alingsås FC United 0-0 Växjö, Bergdalens IK 2-2 Ifö Bromölla IF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 5-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping 2-1 Gamla Upsala SK, Lidköpings FK 3-0 Sundsvalls.
Round Seven (Fixtures): Jitex BK v Bergdalens IK, Gamla Upsala SK v Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls v Team TG FF, Växjö v IFK Norrköping, Älvsjö AIK FF v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Ifö Bromölla IF v Alingsås FC United.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the latest action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan with some big games played (3/5/22).
Above: Rosengård and Hammarby mount an aerial battle on Friday night. Photo: Hammarby.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Round Six kicked off on Friday night with Rosengård hosting a revived Hammarby at Malmö Idrottsplats in front of 1,225 fans. The match was of big interest to fans of Australian women’s football with the defending champions naming Teagan Micah in goal and Charli Grant on the bench. Hammarby fielded fellow Matildas star Courtney Nevin in their starting line-up.
The match burst into life with two goals in three minutes either side of the quarter hour mark. Stefanie Sanders put the hosts ahead, but the visitors hit back shortly afterwards thanks to Emilia Larsson’s equaliser. However, Olivia Schough restored Rosengård’s lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Hammarby remained well in the match until the final exchanges. However, it then fell apart for them. Substitute Bea Sprung put the defending champions 3-1 up and another stoppage time goal from Schough clinched Rosengård’s win which keeps them top of the table.
AIK remain bottom after a 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Umeå IK. The Solna-based side once more paid the price for a slow start. Two early for Umeå clinched the points. Emma Zingmark put the hosts ahead with just two minutes on the clock. The prolific Henna-Riikka Honkanen settled matters with just 17 minutes played to the delight of the 472 crowd.
BK Häcken’s title hopes hit a snag after they could only draw 0-0 at seventh-placed Vittsjö, who fielded both their Matildas stars Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry from the start.
The home side have proved to be very tough to beat this season with just one defeat in their opening games, although three of these have been drawn. The 607 home crowd would certainly have been the better pleased of the two sets of fans with this outcome.
Piteå took advantage of Häcken’s failure to win by going second just a single point behind leaders Rosengård after a 1-0 win at IF Brommapojkarna. The only goal came five minutes before the break when Katrina Guillou played in Hlin Eiríksdóttir to score.
Eskilstuna United moved up to fifth after edging IFK Kalmar 1-0 at Tunavallen. The only goal came just over 20 minutes into the second half. Noor Eckhoff provided the assist for Elin Rombing to score the winner to the delight of the crowd of 611.
Struggling Djurgården gained an impressive 1-0 win at home to a Kristianstads side who had started the season in good form. The visitors had only lost once all season and scored 10 goals in five games going into this encounter. The ever-impressive Tove Almqvist set up Stinalisa Johansson to score the only goal of the game three minutes before the break. This result is the perfect confidence boost for Djurgården as they travel to deadly rivals, rock bottom AIK next Sunday.
The final game of the round was played last night and Linköping maintained their strong start with a 1-0 win over KIF Örebro. The only goal came ten minutes from time thanks to Saori Takarada to the joy of the 516 crowd.
ROUND SEVEN FIXTURES: BK Häcken v Linköping, Hammarby v Vittsjö, Umeå IK v Rosengård, AIK v Djurgården, KIF Örebro v IFK Kalmar, Kristianstads v IF Brommapojkarna, Piteå v Eskilstuna United.
ELITETTAN
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
It’s as tight as a drum at the top of the Elitettan with the top three only separated by goal difference and fourth-placed Gamla Upsala only a further point behind.
Lidköpings FK went top on goal difference after a 3-0 win at newly-promoted Bergdalens IK. Tilde Ahlén opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour. It remained that way until the final stages when two goals in as many minutes at the denouement clinched top spot for the visitors. Jenny Stadin made it 2-0 with 89 on the clock. Ida Pettersson completed the scoring in stoppage time at the end of the game which was played in front of 129 spectators.
Växjö dropped down to second after being held 1-1 at home to Sundsvalls in front of 171 fans. Both goals came in a 10-minute spell after the fifteen-minute mark when Dessislava Dupay put the home side ahead. Olivia Wänglund levelled matters for Sundsvalls who are now in the chasing pack, just three points behind the leaders.
Alingsås FC United are third after a 1-1 draw at home to IK Uppsala. Nicole Robertson’s goal put the visitors ahead eight minutes into the second half. Stina Jensen’s strike seven minutes from the end delighted the majority of the 145 fans at Mjörnvallen Idrottsplats. Such is the tight nature of the top of the Elitettan table, had Uppsala remained in front, they would have gone top of the table themselves. Instead, they drop to fifth.
Their cross-city rivals Gamla Upsala continued their impressive start to life in the Elitettan after promotion following a 1-0 win over Mallbackens IF Sunne. Mathilda Henriksson scored the only goal with less than 15 minutes left in front of 205 fans.
Next week’s matches will be fascinating with four of the top five playing each other.
Full Results Round Five: Bergdalens IK 0-3 Lidköpings FK, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-1 Team TG FF, Alingsås FC United 1-1, Växjö 1-1 Sundsvalls, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 0-2 Jitex BK, Ifö Bromölla IF 1-5 IFK Norrköping, Gamla Upsala SK 1-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne.
Round Six (Fixtures): IK Uppsala v Jitex BK, Team TG FF v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Alingsås FC United v Växjö, Bergdalens IK v Ifö Bromölla IF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping v Gamla Upsala SK, Lidköpings FK v Sundsvalls.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the latest action in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan with some big games played (26/4/22).
Above: BK Häcken’s Johanna Rytting Kaneryd shows her delight after putting her side ahead against Rosengård in the battle of the top two. Photo: BK Häcken.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Round Five kicked off on Sunday with AIK’s home game with Vittsjö at Skytteholms. It was a first home start for the Solna based side’s new signing Remy Siemsen from Sydney FC. Her fellow Australian international Katrina Gorry was in the line-up for the visitors.
In the battle of the Matildas, it was Vittsjö’s Gorry who ended the happiest as her new team-mates ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Jutta Rantala hit a hat-trick with strikes in the 14th minute, a penalty nine minutes into the second half, and a final strike in the closing stages. It was a difficult outcome for the majority of the 271 crowd as AIK are now bottom of the table.
Piteå are in third place after a comprehensive 4-1 win at home to KIF Örebro. Two goals in 26 first-half minutes put the hosts comfortably ahead with Katrina Guillou netting both. Just past the hour mark, Sofia Wännerdahl supplied Hanna Andersson who made it 3-0. Fanny Andersson completed the home side’s tally after being fed by Cecilia Edlund to the delight of the 926 fans. Amanda Rantonen got a late consolation for Örebro who drop to fifth.
Hammarby look to have begun to settled after a tough start to the campaign. They gained a second win for the campaign, 2-0 at home to newly promoted Umeå IK. Ellen Schampi supplied Savage Hasund to put the Stockholm based side ahead. Ten minutes before the end, Ellen Wangerheim benefited from Matilda Vinberg’s good work in the build-up to settle matters to the delight of the 923 fans.
Last year’s top two teams BK Häcken and Rosengård are positioned one and two respectively once more this season. They could not be separated again when they faced off on Sunday at Bravida Arena in front of 1,886 fans.
There was a thrilling opening as Rosengård hit the front with 12 minutes on the clock as Olivia Schough fed Mia Persson to score. Yet the visitors’ lead lasted for just three minutes with Stine Larsen levelling thanks to Hanna Wijk’s assist. Just before the break, BK Häcken hit the front as Johanna Rytting Kaneryd continued her prolific start to the campaign. With just under a quarter of an hour to go, the visitors were awarded a penalty and the experienced Caroline Seger stepped up to earn the defending champions a share of the spoils.
Djurgården moved off the bottom after gaining their first win of the season – and an impressive one at that, at home to Eskilstuna United. The two goals came at either end of the match. Hayley Dowd put the Stockholm-based side ahead from the penalty spot with just seven minutes played. Four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the match, Praise Lundin made the game safe after being supplied by Alice Bergstrom to the delight of the 351 fans.
IFK Kalmar welcomed fellow newly-promoted side IF Brommapojkarna to Guldfågeln Arena and earned a vital 1-0 win to put a little bit of breathing space between themselves and the drop zone. Jessica Ayres’ goal after 11 minutes ensured that the 138 fans went home happy. Bromma are now looking over their shoulders, just out of the automatic relegation places on goal difference.
Kristianstads took on in a battle of two sides that have started strongly when they hosted Linköping. There was just one goal in it, and it was scored after just 10 minutes from the home side’s prolific striker Tabby Tindell, to the delight of the Kristianstads support in the crowd of 457.
ROUND SIX FIXTURES: Rosengård v Hammarby, Umeå IK v AIK, Djurgården v Kristianstads, Eskilstuna United v IFK Kalmar, IF Brommapojkarna v Piteå, Vittsjö v BK Häcken, Linköping v KIF Örebro.
ELITETTAN
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
Växjö remain top of the table after a 1-0 win away to Mallbackens IF Sunne in a clash of two sides who came into the round unbeaten. The only goal came from Hanna Stokki just before the half-hour mark in front of 120 fans.
Alingsås FC United are second on goal difference. Their unbeaten start to the season continued with a 1-0 win at IFK Norrköping. Stina Jensen scored the winner for the visitors midway through the second half. Norrköping had been reduced to ten players after Minnie Asperot for two yellow card offenses 11 minutes before Jensen’s goal. It was a disappointing afternoon for the majority of the 221 supporters in Platinum Cars Arena.
Lidköpings FK are third after a 4-2 win over battling Älvsjö AIK FF. The home side raced into a two goal lead in the opening half-hour. Ronja Karlsson Törnborg put Lidköpings ahead with 17 minutes on the clock with Emma Gabriel doubling the lead 13 minutes later. Älvsjö grabbed a lifeline 20 minutes into the second half thanks to an own goal. However, their hopes were dashed within seconds when Törnborg re-established the hosts two goal advantage with her second goal. Back came Älvsjö again, to their credit as Moa Sjöstrom struck with a quarter of an hour to go after being played in by Mia Olsson. Sarah Michael’s stoppage-time goal finally confirmed that the points would go to Lidköpings to the relief of the 95 spectators.
Full Results Round Four: Jitex BK V Gamla Upsala SK, IFK Norrköping 0-1 Alingsås FC United, Lidköpings FK 4-2 Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-1 Växjö, Sundsvalls 2-0 Bergdalens IK, Team TG FF 2-2 Ifö Bromölla IF, IK Uppsala 6-0 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.
Round Five (Fixtures): Bergdalens IK v Lidköpings FK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Team TG FF, Alingsås FC United v IK Uppsala, Växjö v Sundsvalls, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Jitex BK, Ifö Bromölla IF v IFK Norrköping, Gamla Upsala SK v Mallbackens IF Sunne.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the key action from Round Three of the Damallsvenskan and Round Two week of the Elitettan. (19/4/22).
Above: Goal-line drama in the game between Hammarby and Piteå. Photo: BK Häcken.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Round Three kicked off on Friday night with AIK’s home game with BK Häcken at Skytteholms.
The Solna-based side’s new signing from Sydney FC, Remy Siemsen, was in the stands along with 543 other fans to watch her team in action for the first time. Häcken were comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to a hat-trick from Filippa Curmark. Her first goal came with 26 minutes played as she headed home. Curmark grabbed her second 11 minutes later when Johanna Rytting Kaneryd cut along the right and squared into the box for the ball to be swept home.
The pair combined again with 51 minutes played as Rytting Kaneryd supplied from the right and Curmark lifted the ball into the left hand of the net to complete the scoring.
Siemsen is likely to be in a position to make her AIK debut next week when she faces a Rosengård side containing international teammates Teagan Micah and Charli Grant.
Djurgården suffered a third straight defeat after going down 5-2 to defending champions Rosengård at Stockholm Stadium.
Despite there being seven goals scored during the Good Friday afternoon clash, it took until three minutes before the break for the first to go in. Loretta Kullashi supplied the ball for Mia Persson to score. The game went significantly in Rosengård’s favour with two goals in sixty seconds just before the hour mark. Olivia Schough found Persson to grab her second with Stefanie Sanders playing in Kullashi to make it 3-0.
With just over fifteen minutes to go, Djurgården grabbed a lifeline as Tove Almqvist supplied a pass for Hayley Dowd to score. Yet the home fans’ hope lasted just four minutes as Persson and Kullashi combined again for the latter to grab the visitors’ fourth of the afternoon.
The remaining two goals came in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes as completed her hat-trick for Rosengård. The final say went to the hosts as Tilde Lindwall played in Almqvist for Djurgården’s second. The Stockholm side has now conceded 11 goals in their opening three matches.
Umeå IK won their first match since being promoted back to the Damallsvenskan with a 4-0 win at home to Vittsjö. However, it was not quite as straightforward as the scoreline suggests. Umeå had four shots on goal and scored each time. Vittsjö earned seven corners and more shots on goal, but it was the home side who came out well on top on the scoreboard. Despite only returning from international duty less than two days previously in Australia, Clare Polkinghorne started for the visitors
Two goals from Lisa Bjork at either end of the first half set the ball running for the hosts before Sarah Mellouk’s penalty just after the hour mark made matters comfortable. A fourth goal from Henna-Riikka Honkanen with 10 minutes to go completed the impressive win in front of 325 fans.
Linköping continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-1 win at IFK Kalmar. They took the lead with 15 minutes played thanks to Cornelia Kopecs’ strike. However, in the early stages of the second period, the home side levelled from Juliette Kemppi’s goal.
However, the game took an important twist just four minutes later as Linköping went ahead once more due to an own goal. Yuka Momiki’s penalty with 20 minutes remaining ultimately sealed the points with Amalie Vangsgaard adding a fourth in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.
KIF Örebro continued their positive start to the campaign with a 2-1 win at newly-promoted IF Brommapojkarna.
Two goals in three minutes midway through the second half earned Örebro the points. Amanda Rantanen put the visitors ahead after being played in by Heidi Kollanen. Elli Pikkujämsä made it 2-0 shortly afterwards. Ida Bengtsson supplied a pass for Klara Andrup to get Bromma’s consolation at the death for the majority of the 126 crowd.
New signing Courtney Nevin inspired her new team Hammarby to their first win of the season as she made her debut at home to Piteå.
The only goal came with 13 minutes to go when Matilda Vinberg found Emilia Larsson to score. A best of the week crowd of 1,109 was present at Hammarby Idrottsparken.
In the final game of the round, Kristianstads played out a 2-2 draw at home to Eskilstuna United in front of 912 fans.
The visitors went ahead after 10 minutes when Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene found Paulina Nystrom to score. Kristianstads finally levelled five minutes into the second period when Tabby Tindell continued her fantastic scoring run at the start of the season after being played in by Evelyn Viens.
Eskilstuna retook the lead 12 minutes before the end with Okobi-Okeoghene benefitting by the build-up play of Elise Stenevik to net. Their lead was short-lived as Klara Rybrink levelled four minutes later.
ROUND FOUR FIXTURES MIDWEEK: Rosengård v AIK, KIF Örebro v Umeå IK, Linköping v Hammarby, Piteå v IFK Kalmar, Vittsjö v Djurgården, Eskilstuna United v IF Brommapojkarna, BK Häcken v Kristianstads.
ELITETTAN:
SELECTED MATCH DETAILS:
Växjö have continued their strong start to bid to seal an instant return to the Damallsvenskan with a 4-0 win at home to newly-promoted Team TG FF. Hanna Stokki gave the hosts a powerful opening with two goals in as many minutes as they built an early 2-0 lead. Elin Nilsson made it three just six minutes before the break. Stokki completed her hat-trick nine minutes before the end. Växjö have won both of their opening matches to the delight of the 319 crowd.
Rävåsens IK Karlskoga tough start to life in the Elitettan continued after an 8-0 home defeat to IFK Norrköping in a game brought forward from the Round Three schedule. The visitors raced to a 5-0 lead with just 25 minutes on the clock thanks to goals from Lovina Gustafsson (two), Sabina Ravnell, Minnie Asperot, and My Cato. Two further goals in nine second-half minutes from Taylor Townsend (one penalty) added to the tally before Townsend completed her hat-trick in the closing stages. Karlskoga have now conceded 15 goals in their opening two games after being promoted into the league at the end of last season. The home crowd of 125 will be hoping for better times ahead.
IK Uppsala, who for much of last season looked to be definites for promotion to the Damallsvenskan are in the leading pack after two games. They gained a point from a trip to Lidköpings FK. Rosa Ossorio put Uppsala ahead just before the half-hour mark. Ronja Karlsson Törnborg levelled matters with three minutes remaining in front of 101 spectators.
Full Results Round Two: Lidköpings FK 1-1 IK Uppsala, Växjö 4-0 Team TG FF, Ifö Bromölla IF 1-2 Gamla Upsala SK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 1-1 IFK Norrköping, Alingsås FC United 1-1 Jitex BK, Bergdalens IK 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF,Sundsvalls 1-1 Rävåsens IK Karlskoga.
Round Three Fixtures (Midweek): Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 0-8 IFK Norrköping, Gamla Upsala SK v Team TG FF, Ifö Bromölla IF v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Jitex BK v Lidköpings FK, Växjö v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Sundsvalls, Alingsås FC United v Bergdalens IK.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the key action from Round Two of the Damallsvenskan and the first week of matches in the Elitettan. There is also the latest transfer news, including the arrival of an FAWSL star, and the full story of the unveiling of Sweden’s unique new national team shirt (5/4/22).
Above: Action from the game between BK Häcken and Hammarby. Photo: Hammarby.
NATIONAL TEAM:
Earlier today, adidas and the Swedish Football Association released the women’s national team’s new European Championship shirt – and it is one with a major difference. The shirt contains on it a printed guide with a full analysis of all the players’ strengths and game tactics.
Second in the world rankings, Sweden women’s new national team shirt celebrates the women’s progress, but is at the same time a hint to the other participating countries.
Talking about the design of the shirt, Sweden striker Stina Blackstenius, who plays for Arsenal in the FAWSL said: “In the analysis on the shirt, we reveal exactly how we win, how we play and how the opposing teams – maybe – have a chance to beat us. Our team is better than ever, and we go into the European Championship with pep and confidence. This summer we hope that the whole Swedish people are behind us, it is a great time for our team.”
Together with the match shirt, the digital guide is also released on the website www.howtostopsweden.com. The guide, developed by the national team’s own match analyst, Anders Eriksson, highlights 31 national team players and tips on how the opposing teams should respond to them in order to have a chance to beat Sweden this summer.
“The Swedish women’s national team has good opportunities to take home the entire championship. The digital analysis of the team and the individual players sends a pass to the opposing teams. Now they can order the national team shirt themselves to have a chance to challenge them in the European Championship!” said Eriksson.
This year’s national team shirt is sold in both women’s, men’s, and junior sizes and is available in adidas stores, on the Swedish Football Association’s website, and at selected retailers on April 7th.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Round Two kicked off on Friday night with two matches. First up was the clash between BK Häcken and Hammarby.
In front of 1,475, the home side took an early lead when Stine Larsen dispatched a penalty after 11 minutes. The Danish international striker doubled Häcken’s lead from the spot once more eight minutes before the break. Things got worse for Hammarby when, on 53 minutes in, an own goal saw them 3-0 down. With 23 minutes remaining, Josefine Rybrink played in Mille Jensen for the home side’s fourth. Five minutes before the end Hammarby got a consolation when Emilia Larsson provided a ball for Eva Nystrom to score.
Newly promoted IFK Kalmar marked their first home game back in the Damallsvenskan with a solid 3-1 win over AIK in front of 373 fans.
Kalmar went ahead just before the 20 minute mark thanks to Allison Pantuso’s strike. With 32 minutes played, Juliette Kemppi doubled the home side’s lead. AIK hit back with 10 minutes left, Honoka Hayashi gave the visitors hope of a late comeback, yet within 60 seconds, those dreams were shattered as Kemppi struck again after being put in by Alyssa Walker.
Kristianstads went top of the table after a 2-2 draw at Piteå in front of 789 fans. The home side went ahead after 11 minutes due to an own goal, but Tabby Tindell levelled 12 minutes later with her third goal of the season. Piteå missed a change to re-take the lead when Fanny Andersson missed from the spot. Evelyn Viens put Kristianstads ahead five minutes into the second half before Andersson levelled with 13 minutes remaining.
The battle of the newly promoted sides went comprehensively in IF Brommapojkarna’s favour as they dispatched Umeå IK 3-0 at Grimsta Idrottsparken. Mathilda Prakt put Bromma ahead six minutes before the break. Frida Thörnqvist made it 2-0 within six minutes of coming on as a substitute. Klara Andrup completed the scoring with 86 minutes played to the delight of the 288 fans.
Linköping came away with Eskilstuna United with an impressive 2-0 win in front of 982 supporters at Tunavallen. Cornelia Kapocs put the visitors ahead with 26 minutes on the clock after being played in by Stina Lennartsson. Kapocs turned creator for Linköping’s second with just under a quarter of an hour remaining when she supplied Amalie Vangsgaard with the ball to score.
KIF Örebro saw off Djurgården 2-0 at their Behrn Arena home in front of 479 fans. The result leaves Djurgården struggling at the bottom having conceded six goals in their two matches so far. The two goals came at crucial periods either side of half-time. Amanda Rantanen put Örebro ahead five minutes before the break with Elli Pikkujämsä’s strike in the early stages of the second period clinching the win.
The match of the week saw Vittsjö host defending champions Rosengård which saw three Australian internationals involved in the match at Vittsjö Idrottsparken in front of 1,048 fans. Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah was between the sticks for visitors, who had Charli Grant coming off the bench with seven minutes left. Vittsjö fielded experienced Australian international defender Clare Polkinghorne.
In a tough battle, the two goals both came in the closing stages. Substitute Stefanie Sanders supplied the ball for Olivia Schough to put Rosengård ahead with eight minutes remaining. However, to the unbridled joy of the home supporters, four minutes into stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, Clara Markstedt found Jutta Rantala to equalise.
Highlights from the game can be seen: here
No games next week due to the international window.
ROUND THREE FIXTURES (15-18 Apr): AIK v BK Häcken, Djurgården v Rosengård, Umeå IK v Vittsjö, IFK Kalmar v Linköping, IF Brommapojkarna v KIF Örebro, Hammarby v Piteå, Kristianstads v Eskilstuna United.
ELITETTAN
IK Uppsala, who for so long last season looked like gaining promotion to the Damallsvenskan before ending the campaign with a poor run to miss out, made the best possible start to rectify that with a 3-0 win over newly-promoted Bergdalens IK. Two goals in three second-half minutes from Nicole Robertson and Rosa Ossorio put them on the way to the three points with Hanna Persson wrapping up the win 17 minutes from the end to the delight of the 214 crowd. Växjö, relegated from the Damallsvenskan at the end of last season began their campaign to return by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Jitex BK. Ida Jacobsson put the hosts ahead, but two goals in three minutes before the hour mark from Evelyn Ijeh and Sophia Redenstrand ensured that Växjö left with the points in front of 80 fans. Älvsjö AIK FF went down 2-0 at home to newly promoted Ifö Bromölla IF. Ellinor Persson put the visitors ahead after the half-hour mark with Patrycia Jerzak doubling their lead three minutes into the second half in front of 90 supporters.
Rävåsens IK Karlskoga suffered a nightmare result in their first Elitettan game after promotion, going down 7-0 at home to Mallbackens IF Sunne. It was 2-0 after just five minutes after Viktoria Power put the visitors ahead before an own goal less than 60 seconds later added to their woe. Four further goals followed in seven minutes just after the break with Svea Rehnberg, Irvina Bajramovic, Linnéa Berger and Kari Johnston on target. Berger’s second with just under 20 minutes remaining completed the rout in front of 275 fans.
Highlights of the game between Rävåsens IK Karlskoga and Mallbackens IF Sunne can be seen by clicking here
Full Results Round One: Älvsjö AIK FF 0-2 Ifö Bromölla IF, IFK Norrköping 0-1 Lidköpings FK, IK Uppsala 3-0 Bergdalens IK, Jitex BK 1-2 Växjö, Team TG FF 1-2 Alingsås FC United, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga 0-7 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Gamla Upsala SK 0-2 Sundsvalls DFF.
Round Two Fixtures: NEXT WEEKEND: Lidköpings FK v IK Uppsala, Växjö, Team TG FF, Ifö Bromölla IF v Gamla Upsala SK. FOLLOWING WEEK: Sundsvalls v Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IFK Norrköping, Alingsås FC United v Jitex BK, Bergdalens IK v Älvsjö AIK FF.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Hammarby have added another major international player to their squad with the announcement that Swedish star Jonna Andersson will join from FAWSL giants Chelsea at the end of the English season. Andersson has signed a two and a half year contract and her arrival follows that of Australian stars Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin.
Andersson moved to London and joined Chelsea midway through the 2017/18 season from Swedish side Linköping. With pace and pin-point crossing ability, she brought an attacking threat to the left side of Chelsea’s defence and has played a key part with 130 appearances so far. The 29-year-old has lifted a raft of trophies in South London including becoming champions of England three times, plus the FA Cup and Continental Cup twice, as well as the Community Shield.
The Blues defender made her mark for the club right from her debut against Arsenal, forcing an own goal which proved to be the winner in a five-goal thriller, and she has gone on to score a further six times under Emma Hayes.
As well as excelling domestically in England, Andersson has shone at international level earning 67 caps for Sweden with highlights including winning Olympic silver both in Rio and Tokyo and her international run continues as she heads to Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers this week.
Emma Hayes commented on this summer’s move: “Jonna has been an unbelievable professional during her time with us and instrumental in our success. Her level of commitment to this team has been unreal.
“I’ve no doubt she’ll continue to better herself right to the end of the season and we’ll be sure to give her the send-off she deserves.”
BK Häcken announced the signing of Aisha Masaka, a hugely talented player from Tanzania. Masaka comes in from Young Africans SC on a three-year contract.
Natalie Dixon has joined IFK Kalmar on a one-year deal. The American most recently played for Seattle University.
Defending champions Rosengård have signed Sofie Bredgaard from Linköping. The Danish midfielder has signed a three-year contract.
The Swedish Scene
The weekend saw the big kick-off for the 2022 Damallsvenskan season. Ben Gilby brings us all the action, looks ahead to this weekend’s commencement of the new Elitettan season along with all the views from both AIK and Sydney FC on Remy Siemsen’s signing (29/3/22).
Above: There was a carnival atmosphere and large crowd at the season’s opening game between Hammarby and Eskilstuna United. Photo: Hammarby.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The new season opened on Saturday with the game between Hammarby and Eskilstuna United which was played in front of a superb crowd of 7,877 at the men’s team’s Tele2 Arena home.
It took just eight minutes for the first goal of the 2022 season to go in, and it came courtesy of the visitors’ Ngozi Okobi-Okeghene who was played in by Elise Stenevik. Eskilstuna doubled their advantage right on half-time thanks to Mia Jalkerud. Despite several substitutions, the home side were unable to get back into the game and conceded a third with 12 minutes remaining as Noor Eckhoff struck.
In Sunday’s matches, Kristianstads wrapped up a comfortable 4-0 win over newly-promoted IFK Kalmar in front of 1,199 fans.
The home side went ahead with 26 minutes on the clock when Michaela van den Bulk slotted home a penalty. Delaney Pridham doubled Kristianstads’ advantage just before the break after being played in by Evelyn Viens. Tabby Tindell, who played for Kalmar in their promotion run from the Elitettan last season then struck twice for the hosts in a nine minute spell before the hour mark. Kalmar brought on four substitutes, but couldn’t make any inroads on Kristianstads’ 4-0 scoreline.
Linköping and Vittsjö played out a 1-1 draw in front of 615 fans. The hosts took the lead right on the half-time period thanks to Saori Takarada. They held their lead until fifteen minutes from time when Linda Sällström slotted home.
Djurgården suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss at home to Piteå in a game watched by 933 fans at the men’s home stadium of the Tele2 Arena.
Piteå took the game by the scruff of the neck from the start and built a 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes thanks to strikes from Hlin Eiríksdóttir and Maja Green. Anam Imo made it 3-0 just before the break. Any hopes that the Stockholm-based hosts had of getting back into the game vanished within three minutes of the re-start when Jesefin Johansson increased the visitors’ lead to four. Sara Vidlund got a goal back for Djurgården just after the hour mark when Linda Motlhalo released her, but Piteå were far too good.
AIK opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over KIF Örebro in front of 856 supporters at Skytteholms.
Honaka Hayashi put the Solna-based side ahead with 12 minutes on the clock with Jenny-Julia Daniels making the game safe with 12 minutes to go.
There were some extremely wintery conditions for Umeå IK’s return to the Damallsvenskan when they hosted last season’s runners-up BK Häcken. 323 fans braved the snow and cold. BK Häcken took the lead with just seven minutes played thanks to Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. The newly-promoted side kept fighting and levelled with 10 minutes to play when Henna-Riikka Honkanen, a regular scorer in the second tier, got off the mark for the campaign.
Above: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd puts BK Häcken ahead at Umeå.
The final game of the opening round was played on Monday night which saw defending champions Rosengård host newly-promoted IF Brommapojkarna in front of a crowd of 747. It took 20 minutes for the home side to take the lead, thanks to a strike from Bea Sprung. Mimmi Larsson doubled their advantage on the hour mark as Rosengård completed a successful beginning to their title defence.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES: BK Häcken v Hammarby, IFK Kalmar v AIK, Eskilstuna United v Linköping, IF Brommapojkarna v Umeå IK, Piteå v Kristianstads, KIF Örebro v Djurgården. Vittsjö v Rosengård.
ELITETTAN
After the promotion of IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK and IF Brommapojkarna at the end of last season and the relegation of Borgeby FK, Morön BK and Bollstanäs SK, there are a total of six new teams in the Elitettan this season.
Coming down from the Damallsvenskan at the end of the 2021 campaign were Växjö. Promoted into the competition are Bergdalens IK, Gamla Upsala SK, Ifö Bromölla IF, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga and Team TG FF.
Next Fixtures: Älvsjö AIK FF v Ifö Bromölla IF, IFK Norrköping v Lidköpings FK, IK Uppsala v Bergdalens IK, Jitex BK v Växjö, Team TG FF v Alingsås FC United, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Gamla Upsala SK v Sundsvalls DFF.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
| Sydney FC’s star Matildas’ striker Remy Siemsen has signed with AIK. The Sky Blues striker has spent five of the last six season at the club and has led the goalscoring charts in four of those seasons, winning two Premierships in the process. Her success with Sydney FC has led to Matildas’ selection and now she has secured a switch to the Damallsvenskan “I’m really excited, I had a taste test in Europe when I was with the national team and I was able to train in Denmark after we played Ireland last year and I loved it,” she said. “AIK want to grow the club in the next few years and they took a liking to the way I played, so I can’t wait to get started. “I’m excited to have a different football experience, to learn about living in a brand new place and in a new culture. “I think it will develop me as a footballer and as a person.” |
| The 22-year old hasn’t yet given up the thought of playing for Sydney again next season. “With the Swedish season aligning outside of the women’s season in Australia, it may give me an opportunity to come back to play with Sydney FC,” she continued. “It’s important to be playing matches and getting game time in the lead up to the World Cup and if the season finishes in time for me to come back, then I’d definitely be looking to play some more games in Sky Blue.” AIK’s women’s manager Anne Mäkinen was thrilled to capture Siemsen. “To complement the squad, we have been looking for a goalscorer for a long time and in Remy we have now found exactly that, a forward with the ability to deliver in the box. She is a versatile striker with a fantastic character which means she will fit in very well in the group and in the way we want to play football. Remy is also coming off a strong season with Sydney FC that has led to a well-deserved place in one of the best national teams in the world. I am very much looking forward to having Remy on the pitch in the black and yellow jersey.” Siemsen’s move to the Solna-based club comes with the full blessing of Sydney FC Head Coach Ante Juric. “Remy has been integral to helping our success over the past few years and I’m delighted she has the opportunity to further her football knowledge in Europe,” he said. “She deserves her chance and playing more regularly at a higher level during our off-season can only help her chances of representing the Matildas at next year’s World Cup.” Siemsen will fly out to Europe and join up with her new team mates following the Matildas two friendly matches with New Zealand in Townsville and Canberra. |
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby provides a round-up of the Svenska Cupen Semi-Finals and reveals the latest arrival to Vittsjö from the A-League Women in Australia (22/3/22).
Above: Rosengård’s Australian international Charli Grant (right) in possession in her team’s Svenska Cupen Semi-Final against Eskilstuna United at the weekend. Photo: FC Rosengård.
BK Häcken will face Rosengård in the Svenska Cupen Final on 26th May after winning won their respective semi-finals against Hammarby and Eskilstuna United at the weekend.
Häcken came from behind to claim a 2-1 win in extra time at Hammarby despite playing the last eight minutes with 10 players after Anna Cski received her second yellow card.
It started so well for the home side as Matilda Vinberg put Hammarby ahead after being fed by Emma Westin after just 12 minutes. The Stockholm-based side held their lead until three minutes before the break when Swedish international Stine Larsen levelled.
A tight game that saw Hammarby edge the shots on target by eight to seven went into extra time. Four minutes into the second period of the additional 30, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scored the winner for Häcken. There was still late drama which gave hope to the majority of the 905 crowd when referee Lovisa Johansson showed Anna Cski her second yellow of the match. But Häcken were able to play out the final eight minutes without conceding to take their place in the final.
In Sunday’s second semi-final, Rosengård got past last year’s beaten finalists Eskilstuna United thanks to Mimmi Larsson’s goal after just 15 minutes.
Ultimately, the defending Damallsvenskan champions, who fielded the likes of Swedish national team stars Caroline Segar and Olivia Schough along with Australian internationals Teagan Micah and Charli Grant were just too strong.
Eskilstuna can take positives from another strong Cup run ahead of the new league season which kicks off next weekend.
TRANSFER NEWS:
Danish international Mie Leth Jans, who had such an influential A-League Women season with Perth Glory has re-joined Vittsjö for the Damallsvenskan season. Speaking to the club website about her return, Leth Jans said: “I look forward to coming home to my Swedish football family, playing in front of our fantastic fans and fighting for good results with the team. Besides, I hope to be able to contribute even more with the things I learned during my time in Perth Glory.” The Danish star joins fellow former A-League Women players Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry in Vittsjö’s 2022 squad.
THIS WEEK’S FIXTURES: Damallsvenskan Round One: Hammarby v Eskilstuna United, AIK v KIF Örebro, Umeå IK v BK Häcken, Kristianstads v IFK Kalmar, Linköping v Vittsjö, Djurgården v Piteå, Rosengård v IF Brommapojkarna.
ELITETTAN
After the promotion of IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK and IF Brommapojkarna at the end of last season and the relegation of Borgeby FK, Morön BK and Bollstanäs SK, there are a total of six new teams in the Elitettan this season.
Coming down from the Damallsvenskan at the end of the 2021 campaign were Växjö. Promoted into the competition are Bergdalens IK, Gamla Upsala SK, Ifö Bromölla IF, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga, and Team TG FF.
ELITETTAN ROUND ONE FIXTURES (For Weekend of 2/3 April): Älvsjö AIK FF v Ifö Bromölla IF, IFK Norrköping v Lidköpings FK, IK Uppsala v Bergdalens IK, Jitex BK v Växjö, Team TG FF v Alingsås FC United, Rävåsens IK Karlskoga v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Gamla Upsala SK v Sundsvalls DFF.
Don’t miss The Swedish Scene every Tuesday for a full round-up of every Damallsvenskan match with photos and video, plus all the top games from the Elitettan, transfer news, and all the European action both with the national team and in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Swedish Scene
Above: Courtney Nevin (left) and Kyra Cooney-Cross (right) who both signed for Hammarby this week. Photo: Football Australia.
Back for the new season and offering more content and features than before – it’s Impetus’ coverage of women’s football in Sweden. Ben Gilby rounds up some of the transfer news ahead of this weekend’s Svenska Cupen Semi-Finals (19/3/22).
MATILDAS DUO HEAD TO HAMMARBY
Hammarby‘s Women’s Sporting Director Johan Lager has spoken of his joy on the club website at securing the signings of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin from Melbourne Victory this week. Lager also revealed that he has been trying to sign Cooney-Cross for some time.
He said: “In Kyra we get a player who is already established in senior football despite her relatively young age. Since her national team debut in the summer of 2021, Kyra has been selected regularly for Australia, one of the world’s best national teams, and is predicted to have a bright future.
“We’ve been scouting Kyra for a long time and trying to get her here before, so it’s nice that it pays to be stubborn. We get a versatile midfielder who can play in several positions and she is an athletic player. We are convinced that she is a player who will be worth seeing and help us continue to take steps towards the top of the Damallsvenskan. It feels great to finally get Kyra here.”
Cooney-Cross herself is looking forward to the challenge. The former Western Sydney Wanderers player said: “I am very happy to come to Hammarby and take on a new challenge and chapter in my career. I’ve heard very nice things about the club and the team and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Nevin’s arrival sees one of Australia’s best young defenders join the Stockholm-based side, and that is something that Lager is excited about. “With Courtney, we get a strong defender who can play both full-back and centre-back. She is also a player who is already in the Australian national team.
“Courtney is a fast player and has good character. She will be able to contribute both to our defence but also to our attacking game. With Courtney, we get better coverage in the squad in all positions and we are also convinced that we get cutting edge qualities in the team. We are extremely happy that Courtney choose us over others and we see her as a very important piece of the puzzle to achieve our goals.”
Nevin also spoke about her pride of joining the club: “I am extremely excited to come to Hammarby and am grateful for the opportunity to come to such a nice club and look forward to getting started and meeting my new teammates. The Damallsvenskan is a very good league that will develop me as a player,” she said.
The pair will travel to Sweden after the conclusion of Melbourne Victory’s A-League Women Finals campaign. They face Melbourne City in the Preliminary Final this Sunday.
TRANSFER NEWS IN BRIEF:
BK Häcken have announced several signings. First, Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Jacqueline Burns from Glentoran on a two-year contract. Norwegian international midfielder Andrine Hegerberg has additionally joined from AS Roma in Italy. The deal is for two years. A third arrival has seen Marika Bergman Lundin, a midfielder who played for IK Uppsala in the second-tier Ellitettan last season. Also on board is Icelandic attacking midfielder Agla Maria Albertsdottir from Breidablik.
Newly promoted IK Brommapojkarna have announced a couple of new arrivals. First, midfielder Vaila Barsley. The Scottish player had previously played at Eskilstuna United. They additionally brought in Filippa Wallén from Vittsjö.
Djurgården have brought in two strikers. Lova Lundin has joined from French side Soyaux after previously representing Umeå IK. The second arrival is Swedish U23 international Sara Lilja Vidlund who was at KIF Örebro.
AIK have brought in Jamaican international Chinyelu Asher on a one-year deal from Washington Spirit.
Linköping announce the arrival of Japanese international Saori Takarada from Washington Spirit.
Eskilstuna United added Norwegian defender Joanna Aalstad Bækkelund who comes from Norwegian side Lyn.
SVENSKA CUPEN SEMI-FINALS
This weekend sees the last four face off. Today, Hammarby host BK Häcken ahead of tomorrow’s clash between Rosengård and Eskilstuna United.
THIS SEASON’S COVERAGE ON IMPETUS:
Our coverage of the 2022 OBOS Damallsvenskan and second-tier Elitettan is set to be bigger and better than ever as the competitions kick-off next weekend and the weekend after respectively.
Every Tuesday during the season will be our round-up of every match in the Damallsvenskan in words and pictures which, for the first time this year will contain video footage of key goals and moments from matches. The most important games in the Elitettan will also be covered as before.
We’ll also have the weekly league tables, National Team news, transfer news, and gossip from around the Swedish women’s football scene plus coverage of the Swedish clubs in UEFA Women’s Champions League action.
During the season there will also be interviews with players and coaches as well as club profiles. Make Impetus your source of news from Swedish women’s football this season.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up another busy week of action in Sweden with Champtions League, the final round of the Damallsvenskan, the penultimate weekend of the Elitettan and transfer news 13/11/21.
Above: BK Häcken celebrate after Elin Rubensson’s penalty sealed a midweek win in Portugal over Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Photo: @_OBOSDamallsv
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
BK Häcken reignited their hopes of making the Quarter-Finals with an excellent 1-0 away win against Benfica. Elin Rubensson’s penalty after 76 minutes was the difference. This result, combined with Bayern Munich’s loss in Lyon means that Häcken are now only a single point behind the second-placed German giants. This, plus the fact that they play two of their remaining three matches at home means that there is real positivity for the Swedish side. Speaking after the game, Robert Vilahamn, BK Häcken’s head coach said: “It was a good and tough game, two good teams and I think we succeeded with our pressing game. We deserved to win, but they were good as well. Now it’s alive in the group, we meet Benfica next week again and if we can go from that, we can go after Bayern next. Benfica played like I expected them to do. The level was good, but I knew we had good players, had a good game plan that worked, so it was nice.”
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Champions Rosengård ended a memorable season on a positive note with a 2-0 win at Djurgården. Two goals in the opening half-hour from Olivia Schough and Mimmi Larsson enabled Rosengård to record their 18th win in 22 games in front of 842 fans.
BK Häcken finished second despite another loss, 3-2 at Eskilstuna United. Felicia Rogic put the hosts ahead after 26 minutes, but Stine Larsen and Mille Jensen overturned this. Yet there was late drama as Eskilstuna netted twice in a spell of four minutes at the death with Rogic hitting both to complete a hat-trick to the delight of the 789 supporters.
Kristianstads gained the win they needed to finish third, with a 2-1 win at Piteå who finish one off the bottom. Alice Nilsson’s goal on 19 minutes put the visitors on their way, but their lead only lasted four minutes before Katrina Guillou levelled. The winning goal came with 23 minutes remaining thanks to Amanda Edgren’s strike with 339 spectators watching.
Linköping guaranteed a top-six spot with a 2-0 win at home to AIK. Uchenna Kanu scored both goals in a fifteen-minute spell after the break to the delight of a crowd of 855.
Växjö ended a difficult season which saw them finish bottom with a 2-0 loss at home to Hammarby. Both goals came in the first half, with Madelen Janogy and Emilia Larsson on target in front of 316 fans. The home side won only two games during the campaign.
Vittsjö finished fifth after a stunning 8-2 success over KIF Örebro. The hosts built a 5-0 lead thanks to strikes from Sandra Odolfsson, Clare Polkinghorn, Fernanda da Silva, Tove Almqvist and Clara Markstedt. Elli Pikkujämsä hit back for Örebro with 56 minutes played. Vittsjö re-established their five-goal lead when Michelle de Jongh netted. Jessie Scarpa got another back for the visitors before late goals from De Jongh and Markstedt completed the rout to the joy of 443 fans.
Final Table 2021:
ELITETTAN:
In the penultimate round of matches, Umeå IK moved 13 points clear at the top of the table after a 2-0 win at already relegated Bollstanäs SK. Vilma Koivisto and Patrycja Jerzak were on target whilst 72 people looked on. After confirming their promotion last week, IFK Kalmar slipped to a 2-0 defeat at home to lowly IFK Norrköping. Sabina Ravnell and Lovisa Gustafsson scored in front of 177 spectators. IK Uppsala will go into their last match of the season in the final promotion spot after a 1-0 win at Mallbackens IF Sunne. Ida Stromblad’s strike after 35 minutes was the difference in front of 146 fans. IK Brommapojkarna could still pip Uppsala for a place in the Damallsvenskan on the final day after a 2-1 win at Jitex Mölndal. Frida Boriero put Bromma ahead on 67 minutes, but Tindra Lidstrom levelled eight minutes from time. However, just as the visitors’ promotion hopes looked to be going up in smoke, Klara Andrup netted. Brommapojkarna know they need a better result than Uppsala in the last match to go up. With Uppsala holding the upper hand on goal difference by eight, they will rely on a favour from Jitex Mölndal who travel to Uppsala. Bromma are home to lower mid-table Älvsjö AIK FF. Lidköpings FK’s remaining chance of a Damallsvenskan spot ended after a 2-1 loss at Alingsås FC United. Evelyn Ijeh gave the visitors the lead, but goals from Stine Jensen and Alma Oberg ended Lidköpings’s dreams.
Latest Results: Bollstanäs SK 0-2 Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar 0-2 IFK Norrköping, Alingsås FC United 2-1 Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal 1-2 IK Brommapojkarna, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-1 IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-1 Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FK 1-3 Morön BK
Next Fixtures: IK Brommapojkarna v Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Jitex Mölndal, Lidköpings FK v Borgeby FK, Morön BK v Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF v IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK v Mallbackens IF Sunne.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Kristianstad will add IFK Kalmar’s hotshot striker Tabby Tindell for their squad for the 2022 season. Tindell was a key player in Kalmar’s promotion to the Damallsvenskan this campaign. Kristianstad has also been strongly linked with Tindell’s Kalmar teammate Klara Rybrink.
Linköping has signed Nelli Karlsson from Växjö and also announced that Ronja Aronsson will leave them, with her new destination unclear.
Announcing their retirement from the game this week are Hammarby‘s Norwegian full-back June Pedersen, Linköping‘s Petra Johansson Eskilstuna United‘s goalkeeper Emelie Lundberg
The Swedish Scene
With season’s end approaching, Ben Gilby rounds another week of action in the top two tiers of Swedish women’s football as champions are decided and the Elitettan’s final promotion spot nears confirmation 6/11/21
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Above: Rosengård celebrate lifting the title. Photo: @fcrosengard
Kristianstads’ third place hopes took a major dent after they went down 1-0 at home to already relegated Växjö. Emmi Alenen’s strike after 73 minutes ensured that Växjö recorded only their second win of the campaign in front of a frustrated crowd of 692.
KIF Örebro took advantage to keep their hopes of third place alive, now two points behind going into the final round of matches after a 2-1 win at home to Piteå in front of 333 fans. Emilia Pelgander put Örebro ahead after 13 minutes with Heidi Kollanen doubling the advantage with just under 20 minutes to go. Hanna Andersson netted a consolation with seven minutes to go.
Rosengård lifted the Damallsvenskan title after their final home game, which resulted in a 3-1 win over Eskilstuna United in front of 2,548 fans. Mimmi Larsson put the hosts ahead after nine minutes with Sanni Troelsgaard making it 2-0 ten minutes before the break. Jelena Cankovic increased it to a three goal lead before Noor Eckhoff got one back for Eskilstuna. The visitors will now need to get a better result than Kristianstads on the final day to overtake them in third place.
BK Häcken ended their difficult run by dispatching Djurgården comfortably 4-0 in their final home game of the season in front of 882 spectators. Stina Blackstenius’ hat-trick plus a goal from Elin Rubensson completed the rout.
Hammarby rounded off their home campaign by drawing another impressive crowd – 2,173 for their clash with Linköping. The visitors continued their improved run of results by coming away with a 3-1 success. Uchenna Kanu’s hat-trick earned the points for Linköping with Nina Jakobsson’s effort being the sole strike for the Stockholm-based hosts.
AIK signed off their home campaign with a victory when they dispatched Vittsjö thanks to Kaisa Collin’s strike after just nine minutes in front of 233 fans.
Round Twenty-Two Fixtures:
Växjö v Hammarby
Eskilstuna United v BK Häcken
Vittsjö v KIF Örebro
Linköping v AIK
Djurgården v Rosengård
Piteå v Kristianstads
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK clinched the Elitettan title with two games to spare after a 2-0 win over Morön BK. Henna-Riikka Honkanen and Alexander Sandstrom’s goals sealed the trophy in front of 518 fans. Also confirmed was IFK Kalmar’s promotion to the top flight after they gained a 1-1 draw at home to IK Uppsala. Angelina Thoresen gave the visitors, who still have hopes of taking the third and final promotion slot, the lead before the prolific Tabby Tindell levelled just after the break to the delight of the gathered crowd of 541. IF Brommapojkarna are fourth on goal difference after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Mallbackens IF Sunne. Mathilda Splendor gave Bromma the lead with 19 minutes on the clock before goals from Linnea Berger and Irvana Bajamovic on either side of the break put the mid-table visitors ahead. With eleven minutes to go, Splendor grabbed Brommapojkarna’s equalizer in front of 156 fans. Lidköpings FK are still in the mix for the third and final promotion spot after a 3-1 win at home to Älvsjö AIK FF. Two goals from Evelyn Ijeh in the first 27 minutes put the hosts in the driving seat. Alice Bergstrom gave Älvsjö hope when she scored just after the half-hour mark, but Lidköpings secured the win that puts them just a point adrift of third-place when Emilia Bengtsson scored just past the hour.
Latest Results: IFK Norrköping 1-1 Borgeby FK, Umeå IK 2-0 Morön BK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-2 Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, Lidköpings FK 3-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Brommapojkarna 2-2 Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Kalmar 1-1 IK Uppsala.
Next Fixtures: Bollstanäs SK v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v IFK Norrköping, Alingsås FC United v Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal v IK Brommapojkarna, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FK v Morön BK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Eskilstuna United have announced the retention of two key players as both team captain Matilda Plan and experienced wingback Anna Oskarsson have extended their contracts with the club.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up the news from Sweden over the past fortnight.
25/10/21
Sweden announced a 25-player squad for their forthcoming World Cup qualifying ties away to the Republic of Ireland and a friendly in Scotland on Tuesday.
The squad is largely similar to the one that opened their qualification campaign for Australia/New Zealand 2023 in September. The only changes see Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Julia Zigiotti Olme coming into the squad for Kosovare Asllani and Julia Roddar.
Thursday’s qualifier at Tallaght Stadium saw Sweden dominant but only run out 1-0 winners after a goal in the 36th minutes. Filippa Angeldahl found Stina Blackstenius on the left and the BK Häcken star cut inside and hit a shot that deflected into the net.
The Olympic silver medallists couldn’t quite get their offensive game going and therefore did not manage a second goal.
Squad: Jennifer Falk (BK Häcken), Hedvig Lindahl (Atletico Madrid), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea), Magda Eriksson (Chelsea), Jonna Andersson (Chelsea), Emma Berglund (Rosengård), Nathalie Bear (Everton), Nilla Fischer (Linköping), Hana Glas (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestedt (Paris St. Germain), Emma Kullberg (BK Häcken), Elin Rubensson (BK Häcken), Filippa Angeldahl (Manchester City), Anna Anvegård (Everton), Stina Blackstenius (BK Häcken), Rebecka Blomqvist (VfL Wolfsburg), Filippa Curmark (BK Häcken), Lina Hurtig (Juventus), Sofia Jakobsson (Bayern Munich), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby), Fridolina Rolfö (Barcelona), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (BK Häcken), Olivia Schough (Rosengård), Julia Zigiotti Olme (BK Häcken).
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
More dropped points from BK Häcken away to AIK ended their Damallsvenskan title hopes. The 0-0 draw in front of 247 at the Solna-based side’s Skytteholms home ensured that this scoreline, plus Rosengård’s victory at Piteå guaranteed that the league title went to Rosengård with two rounds still to play.
The new champions had a real battle on their hands against the strugglers. Olivia Schough put Rosengård ahead after eight minutes, but within ten minutes Anam Imo levelled. Stefanie Sanders put the visitors back into the lead. Ten minutes into the second half, back came Piteå as Sofia Wannadahl made it 2-2. Sanders’ second strike 12 minutes from the end was the title clincher in front of 562 fans.
KIF Örebro kept their hopes of a top-five spot alive after an impressive 2-1 win at Eskilstuna United, a result which dented the hosts’ hopes of a third-placed finish. Paulina Nyström gave Eskilstuna the lead but it only lasted six minutes before Sanna Kullberg levelled the scores. Örebro sealed the points five minutes into stoppage time thanks to Amanda Rantanen’s goal. The gathered crowd of 701 went home frustrated.
Kristianstads took advantage of Eskilstuna’s loss to move up to third after a 4-1 win at Djurgården in front of 1,264 fans. Anna Welin put Kristianstads ahead with nine minutes on the clock. Svendis Jonsdottir doubled their advantage just before the break. It got better still for the visitors as Eveliina Summanan made it 3-0 after 58 minutes. Sara Olai grabbed a consolation for the Stockholm-based hosts. Jutta Rantala completed the scoring a minute from the end for Kristianstads.
Vittsjö gained a crucial three points in their pursuit of a top-four place with a 3-1 against Hammarby who have similar aspirations. Australian international Clare Polkinghorne put the home side ahead just before the half-hour mark with Tove Almqvist doubling the advantage four minutes later. Mie Jans made it 3-0 on the 57th-minute mark to the delight of the 585 spectators. June Pedersen got a late consolation for the Stockholm-based visitors.
Linköping’s poor run of form ended in some style by thrashing bottom club Växjö 5-0 at home– a result which relegated the visitors. There were an incredible four goals in just 12 minutes from the half-hour mark onwards. Yuka Momiki, Alva Selerud, Heidi Ellingsen and Uchenna Kanu were all on target. Amalie Vangsgaard completed the scoring two minutes after the break to the delight of over 800 fans.
The Damallsvenkan now takes a week’s break due to international matches. It recommences on 30th October with the following fixtures:
Round Twenty-One Fixtures:
AIK v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Linköping
Kristianstads v Växjö
BK Häcken v Djurgården
KIF Örebro v Piteå
Rosengård v Eskilstuna United
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK need just one point from their final three games to win the title. They won 2-0 at Jitex Mölndal last weekend thanks to two goals in seven minutes near the end of the first half. Alexandra Sandstrom and Henna-Riikka Honkanen on target. IFK Kalmar are within touching distance of the Damallsvenskan too after a 4-0 win at Borgeby FB – a result which relegated the home side. Amanda Persson put Kalmar ahead after 11 minutes. Minnie Asperot’s goal after 56 minutes, plus two from prolific Tabby Tindell in the final ten minutes completed the rout. IK Uppsala climbed back into the promotion spots after a vital 3-1 win over fellow challengers IK Brommapojkarna in front of a bumper home crowd of 1,013. Angelina Thoresen put the hosts ahead after just two minutes. Marika Lundin added the second in stoppage time at the end of the game. Bromma now drop out of the promotion slots into fourth, on goal difference from Uppsala. Fifth-placed Lidköpings FK hopes of a Damallsvenskan spot are just about still alive after gaining a 3-0 at Morön BK who are sixth. Elizabeth Pechersky gave Lidköpings the lead with ten minutes on the clock. Emilia Bengtsson doubled their lead just before the half hour mark. Silvia Leonessi grabbed the third in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 3-1 IK Brommapojkarna, Jitex Mölndal 0-2 Umeå IK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 1-0 Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FB 0-4 IFK Kalmar, Älvsjö AIK FF 2-1 Alingsås FC United, Bollstanäs SK 2-4 IFK Norrköping, Morön BK 0-3 Lidköpings FK.
Next Fixtures (Weekend of 29th October): Umeå IK v Morön BK, Sundsvalls DFF v Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United v Bollstanäs SK, Lidköpings FK v Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Brommapojkarna v Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Kalmar v Borgeby FB.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Clare Polkinghorne and Sabrina D ‘Angelo have extended their contracts with Vittsjö for another season.
Jenna Helmstrom has signed a new deal with KIF Örebro.
BK Häcken‘s head coach Mats Gren has left the club and has been replaced by Robert Vilahamn, previously assistant. The club’s recent form has been very disappointing and has seen them lose the Damallsvenskan title race to Rosengård
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up a busy week of Champions League, Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus some transfer news from Sweden.
16/10/21
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
BK Häcken travelled to Bayern Munich for their second successive devilishly tough Champions League Group D tie on Thursday night. They suffered a nightmare start as Bayern went 2-0 up in the first 11 minutes thanks to two goals from Lea Schüller. It remained that way until deep into the second half when further strikes from Linda Dallmann and Jovana Damnjanović sealed Bayern’s 4-0 win. Häcken are bottom of the group after two games having lost previously 3-0 at Olympique Lyonnais who top the group with maximum points. Bayern Munich are second on four points with Benfica, who Häcken face in back to back encounters next, on one point.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The Stockholm derby between Hammarby and AIK drew a record crowd for a women’s club match in Sweden of 18,537 to the Tele2 Arena. The vast majority of the spectators went home happy as Hammarby kept their faint hopes of a top three place alive with a comfortable 4-1 win. Madelen Janogy put the home side in front with 20 minutes played. Three goals in seven second half minutes ultimately sealed the game. Alice Carlsson doubled Hammarby’s lead before Honaka Hayashi immediately reduced it to 2-1. Yet, Berglind Thorvaldsdottir ultimately decided the game when she put the hosts 3-1 ahead. Emma Jansson’s penalty with nine minutes left further extended the green and white’s lead.
BK Häcken, who got back in the title race last week were immensely frustrated to drop points at home to Vittsjö after the game ended goalless in front of 663.
Rosengård took advantage to pull five points clear of Häcken after they came from behind to record a 2-1 win over rapidly fading Linköping. The visitors went ahead after just nine minutes thanks to Uchenna Kanu. The lead lasted for just under 20 minutes when Olivia Schough’s free kick levelled the scores. Sanne Troelsgaard’s strike three minutes from half-time earned the points to the delight of the 1,586 fans.
KIF Örebro won the battle of two sides in lower mid table when they saw off Djurgården 1-0 thanks to Wilma Ohman’s goal after just five minutes in front of 934 supporters.
The battle of two of the bottom three sides – Växjö and Piteå, went the way of cellar dwellers Växjö who, in doing so, picked up their first win of the campaign with just three games to go. Nellie Karlsson’s strike after 52 minutes earned the victory which kept their exceptionally slim survival hopes alive for another week to the joy of the gathered 294 fans.
Kristianstads kept their hopes of third place alive after they defeated Eskilstuna United 2-0. Anna Welin and Miranda Nild hit second half goals in front of 492 spectators. This win cut the gap between the two sides to just three points.
Round Twenty Fixtures:
Linköping v Växjö
Vittsjö v Hammarby
Djurgården v Kristianstads
AIK v BK Häcken
Piteå v Rosengård
Eskilstuna United v KIF Örebro
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK clinched promotion to the Damallsvenskan and are virtually assured of the title after a 6-2 thrashing of in form third placed IF Brommapojkarna. In front of an impressive crowd of 588, Umeå raced into a 3-0 lead with just nine minutes on the clock thanks to goals from Olivia Holm, Lisa Dahlkvist and Monica Bah. Mathilda Johansson got a goal back on 34 minutes, but within 120 seconds, the hosts re-established their three goal advantage after Vilma Koivisto’s strike. Klara Andrup brought Bromma back to within to goals just after the break, but a second goal from Bah six minutes into the second period settled matters once and for all. The win puts them eight points clear at the top of the table with four games to play. IFK Kalmar went four points clear in second after a routine 3-0 win over Jitex Mölndal. Ohphelia Medhammar put Kalmar ahead just before the quarter hour mark with Tabby Tindell continuing her recent red hot goal scoring form to make it 2-0 just before half-time. Minnie Asperot netted the third with 24 minutes left which ensured the majority of the 148 fans gathered went home happy. IK Uppsala’s continuing slump continued as lost 2-0 at Lidköpings FK. Dorothea Gruelich and Elizabeth Pechersky were on target in front of 100 spectators. At the foot of the table, second bottom Borgeby FB kept alive their slim survival hopes after a dramatic 4-3 win at home to cellar-dwellers Bollstanäs SK. Simone Edefall gave the visitors the lead after 18 minutes, but two goals in a nine minute period put Borgeby ahead thanks to Saga Ollerstam and Erica Welin. Malin Engdahl levelled in first half stoppage time. The twists and turns continued in the second period as once more Borgeby went ahead with Nova Karlsson’s strike but were then pegged back by Linda Niemenen. The decisive goal came fifteen minutes from time from Sofia Anker-Kofoed to the delight of the 95 fans. Bollstanäs are relegated.
Latest Results: Umeå IK 6-2 IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB 4-3 Bollstanäs SK, Lidköpings FK 2-0 IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls DFF 0-1 Alingsås FC United, Morön BK 1-2 IFK Norrköping, IFK Kalmar 3-0 Jitex Mölndal, Mallbackens IF Sunne 4-2 Älvsjö AIK FF
Next Fixtures: IK Uppsala v IK Brommapojkarna, Jitex Mölndal v Umeå IK, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FB v IFK Kalmar, Älvsjö AIK FF v Alingsås FC United, Bollstanäs SK v IFK Norrköping, Morön BK v Lidköpings FK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Tove Enblom has extended her contract with KIF Örebro. The new deal runs until the end of the 2022 season.
Hammarby’s Jonna Andersson has left the club to join Cypriot club Apollon Ladies.
Source: @damallsvfotboll
The Swedish Scene
With Champions League action as well as the latest round of matches in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan, Ben Gilby rounds-up the events of the past week with drama at the top of both divisions.
9/10/21
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
BK Häcken made their Champions League debut with a Group D tie at home to giants Olympique Lyonnais. For a summary of the game, see Impetus’ Jean-Pierre Thiesset’s report: here
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Kristianstads blew a 2-0 lead at home to KIF Örebro who came away with a 2-2 draw. Miranda Nild and Alice Nilsson put the hosts two goals clear before the half hour mark. Jessie Scarpa got one back early in the second half. There was a dramatic conclusion as Jenna Helmstrom hit the equaliser four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the match to the frustration of the 410 spectators.
AIK gained a hugely important 1-0 win over Växjö in the battle of the bottom two in Solna. Jenny-Julia Danielsson grabbed the winner with four minutes to go in front of 233 people at Skytteholms.
Vittsjö saw off Linköping with a 3-0 win in front of 322 fans. Fernanda Da Silva (34), Nellie Persson (46) and Elizabeth Klinga were on target. Linköping sit just a point above the bottom four.
Eskilstuna United are now six points clear of the chasing pack in third place as memories of the large numbers of clubs once competing for that spot are now fading fast. Their latest success came courtesy of a come from behind 3-1 win over Djurgården in front of an impressive crowd of 1,412. The visitors took the lead after 20 minutes thanks to a strike from Michaela van den Bulk. Eskilstuna levelled two minutes later through Vaila Barsley. Mia Jalkerud put the hosts ahead on the hour mark before Felicia Rogic sealed the win a quarter of an hour from the end.
Hammarby suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw with third bottom Piteå, a score which, combined with Eskilstuna United’s winning run goes a long way to killing off their dreams of a third placed finish. Cajsa Hedlund put Piteå ahead just after the half hour mark. To the relief of the 755 gathered, Emilia Larsson levelled for Hammarby with 13 minutes left.
The destination of the Damallsvenskan title is back up in the air after second placed BK Häcken gained a 2-0 win at home to leaders Rosengård which halved the visitors lead at the top of the table to three points and cut the goal difference between the sides to just a single goal. Roared on by 2,814 fans, Stina Blackstenius put Häcken ahead with 74 minutes played with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd sealing the points five minutes later. BK Häcken had further cause for celebration later in the week when, despite strong rumours linking her with a move overseas previously, Stina Blackstenius signed a new contract with the club.
Round Nineteen Fixtures:
Rosengård v Linköping
BK Häcken v Vittsjö
KIF Örebro v Djurgården
Växjö v Piteå
Kristianstads v Eskilstuna United
Hammarby v AIK
ELITETTAN
IK Uppsala’s poor run of results which has seen them drop from the top to now outside the promotion spots, continued with a 2-1 defeat at home to leaders Umeå IK in a game full of late drama. Marika Lundin gave the home side the lead with 10 minutes to play. But just two minutes later, Umeå levelled through Lisa Bjork and then into stoppage time at the end, Lisa Dahlqvist’s goal ensured all the points would go to the visitors, to the frustration of the 226 fans. Umeå’s lead at the top of the table is now eight points with five games to go. IFK Kalmar are second after a 3-1 win at bottom side Bollstanäs SK in front of 85 spectators. Tabby Tindell continued her excellent current run of scoring by putting Kalmar ahead just before the half hour mark and she added a second eight minutes into the second half. Andrea Thorisson made it 3-0 on the hour mark. Malin Engdahl got a consolation for Bollstanäs after 74 minutes. IF Brommapojkarna’s 2-1 win at home to Sundsvalls DFF ensured they stayed in the top three. It was Sundsvalls who went ahead just after the break thorugh Ebere Orji, but two goals in four minutes either side of the hour mark from Mathilda Prakt sent the 55 spectators home happy. Morön BK are fifth after coming from behind to win 2-1 at mid table Älvsjö AIK FF. Naomi Okhira put the hosts ahead on 12 minutes with Emma Viklund levelling with 11 minutes to play. Deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, Viklund popped up again to take the points to the frustration of the crowd of 70.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 1-2 Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK 1-3 IFK Kalmar, IF Brommapojkarna 2-1 Sundsvalls DFF, IFK Norrköping 3-1 Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal 3-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United 4-2 Borgeby FB, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-2 Morön BK.
Next Fixtures: Umeå IK v IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB v Bollstanäs SK, Lidköpings FK v IK Uppsala, Sundsvalls DFF v Alingsås FC United, Morön BK v IFK Norrköping, IFK Kalmar v Jitex Mölndal, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Älvsjö AIK FF
The Swedish Scene
With surprising results for top teams in both the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan, there’s been some dramatic goings on in Swedish women’s football this week. Ben Gilby rounds up all the action.
2/10/21
Arguably the result of the season took place as rock bottom Växjö’s held second placed BK Häcken to a fantastic 1-1 draw. Växjö are without a win all season and this point is only their fifth of the campaign. Stina Blackstenius put Häcken ahead four minutes into the second half, but former London City Lionesses and Bristol City player Juliette Kemppi hit an equaliser eight minutes later which left the home crowd of 140 jubilant. BK Häcken are now six points behind leaders Rosengård with five matches left.
Djurgården gained an excellent 2-1 victory at home to Stockholm rivals Hammarby, which put a dent in the visitors’ hopes of finishing third. Daniela Zamora put the hosts ahead after ten minutes with Hayley Dowd making it 2-0 early in the second half. Nina Jakobsson got a goal back for Hammarby with just under 20 minutes left, but to the delight of the majority of the 2,096 fans Djurgården hung on to take the win.
Piteå continued their recent improved run of form with a 1-1 draw at home to mid table Vittsjö, in a game watched by 747 fans. Anam Imo put the hosts ahead on the quarter of an hour mark before Fernanda Da Silva levelled from the penalty spot for Vittsjö with 12 minutes left.
KIF Örebro gained an important win in a battle of two sides just above the drop zone as they dispatched AIK 2-0 to the delight of the gathered 542 fans. Two goals in the last 11 minutes from Jessica Scarpi and Jenna Hellstrom sealed the points.
Rosengård failed to take advantage of BK Häcken’s shock draw as they could only be held 1-1 themselves at home by fourth placed Kristianstads. Sanne Troelsgaard put the hosts ahead just after the interval, but Mia Carlsson equalised for Kristianstads with just over 20 minutes left. 500 fans were in attendance.
Eskilstuna United are now four points clear of the pack hunting for third place after a 0-0 draw at Linköping in a game watched by 684 spectators.
Round Eighteen Fixtures:
AIK v Växjö
Kristianstads v KIF Örebro
Vittsjö v Linköping
Eskilstuna United v Djurgården
BK Häcken v Rosengård
Hammarby v Piteå
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK benefitted from the inability of the chasing pack to win at the weekend as they extended their lead at the top to eight points with six games to go with a 3-1 win over IFK Norrköping. Goals from Tilde Johnasson, Vilma Koivisto and Monica Buh put the hosts in the driving seat before Jennie Egeriis grabbed a consolation for Norrköping with 13 minutes left. The gathered crowd of 321 knew that they were likely to have seen a decisive win in their side’s campaign. IK Uppsala, who have been in the top two for virtually the whole season dropped to third after a surprising 1-0 loss to 11th placed Sundsvalls DFF. Sophie Brundin’s goal with 69 minutes played was the difference in front of 181 frustrated fans. IFK Kalmar are up to second after a 2-0 win at Morön BK – a result which dealt a blow to the home side’s promotion hopes. Goals from Andrea Thorisson just before the break and Amanda Persson three minutes from time settled matters. IF Brommapojkarna’s 4-0 win over Alingsås FC United means that only goal difference separates them from IK Uppsala, a side who, for so long looked promotion certainties. Klara Andrup, Mathilda Prakt, Jennifer Sjosten and Mathilda Lindstrom were on target in front of 94 fans.
Latest Results: Jitex Mölndal 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Uppsala 0-1 Sundsvalls DFF, Lidköpings FK 3-1 Bollstanäs SK, Morön BK 0-2 IFK Kalmar, IF Brommapojkarna 4-0 Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne 1-2 Borgeby FB, Umeå IK 3-1 IFK Norrköping.
Next Fixtures: IK Uppsala v Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK v IFK Kalmar, IF Brommapojkarna v Sundsvalls DFF, IFK Norrköping v Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United v Borgeby FB, Älvsjö AIK FF v Morön BK.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the week’s news from the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan.
18/9/21
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Djurgården gained an important point courtesy of a 2-2 draw at home to Vittsjö in front of 300 fans. Fernanda da Silva put the visitors ahead after 20 minutes and they remained in the lead until stoppage time at the end of the first half when Fanny Long levelled. Within seven minutes, Hayley Dowd put the hosts ahead, With just over 20 minutes left, Clara Markstedt drew Vittsjö level.
Rosengård gained yet another routine victory as they beat Hammarby 2-1 in Stockholm. Sanne Troelsgaard put the visitors ahead after 26 minutes and Jelena Cankovic made it 2-0 mid way through the second half. Nina Jakobsson’s strike in stoppage time at the end of the game was one positive for the assembled crowd of 473.
Kristianstads ran out 1-0 winners at home to Linköping in front of 297 fans. The only goal of the game came through Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir with 51 minutes played.
Eskilstuna United continued their fine season with a 2-1 win over strugglers Växjö in front of the week’s best crowd of 1,107, but they had to do it the hard way. It was Växjö who took the lead thanks to Emmi Alanen’s 18th minute strike. Two goals in three second half minutes turned the game on its head as Elise Stenevik (64) and Mia Jalkerud (67) earned Eskilstuna the win.
BK Häcken gained what, in the end was another routine win, but it took them a while to finally subdue visitors KIF Örebro. Elin Rubensson (74) and Anna Csiki’s goal with five minutes to go calmed any nerves among the crowd of 624.
AIK were pulled back into the relegation battle after a disappointing loss at home to strugglers Piteå. Jennie Nordin scored the only goal after 71 minutes to the frustration of the 239 fans gathered.
The Damallsvenskan takes a week’s break now due to the international window. Action returns next weekend with the following fixtures.
Round Seventeen Fixtures:
Djurgården v Hammarby
Växjö v BK Häcken
Piteå v Vittsjö
Rosengård v Kristianstads
Linköping v Eskilstuna United
KIF Örebro v AIK
ELITETTAN
Umeå IK remain six points clear at the top after a 1-0 win at Sundsvalls DFF. An own goal after 22 minutes separated the teams. Second placed IK Uppsala steadied the ship after coming from behind to gain a 2-1 win at IFK Norrköping. Gloria Douglas put the home side ahead on the hour mark before Ellen Toivio levelled nine minute later. Ellen Hansing’s strike in second half stoppage time sealed Uppsala’s recovery. IFK Kalmar moved back up to third after a 3-0 win over Mallbackens IF Sunne. An own goal after five minutes set Kalmar on their way with Minnie Asperot making it 2-0 six minutes before half-time. Tabby Tindell completed the scoring just before the hour mark. IF Brommapojkarna surrendered third spot after they could only draw 0-0 with Lidköpings FK. Morön BK remain fifth despite a 1-0 loss at Alingsås FC United. Alexandra Roholt scored the only goal after 25 minutes.
Latest Results: IFK Kalmar 3-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Norrköping 1-2 IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK 0-0 IF Brommapojkarna, Sundsvalls DFF 0-1 Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK 0-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, Borgeby FB 2-1 Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United 1-0 Morön BK.
The Elitettan takes a week’s break now due to the international window. Action returns next weekend with the following fixtures.
Next Fixtures: Jitex Mölndal v Älvsjö AIK FF, IK Uppsala v Sundsvalls DFF, Lidköpings FK v Bollstanäs SK, Morön BK v IFK Kalmar, IF Brommapojkarna v Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Borgeby FB, Umeå IK v IFK Norrköping.
The Swedish Scene
Ben Gilby rounds up all the week’s news from the Champions League, Damallsvenskan and Elitettan.
11/9/21
Above: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, scorer of BK Häcken’s third goal against Vålerenga that sealed their spot in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stages in midweek. Photo: Expressen.
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
BK Häcken made it through to the group stage after their midweek 3-2 win over the Norwegians Vålerenga completed a 6-3 aggregate win. Once more Stina Blackstenius was on the scoresheet, with a brace and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd grabbed the third. Two goals in the last seventeen minutes from Synne Jensen and Katie Stengel gave the score line a more pleasing look from the Vålerenga perspective.
Rosengård‘s hopes are over despite gaining a creditable 3-3 draw away from home to 1899 Hoffenheim. The damage was done in their 3-0 defeat in the home leg. Laura Reinroither increased the German side’s aggregate lead to four goals after just eight minutes before Jelena Cankovic got the Swedes on the board. Sarai Linder put Hoffenheim ahead once more before Mimmi Larsson levevlled on the night with 25 minutes to go. The two sides exchanged goals once more with Jule Brand on target for the hosts and Loretta Kullashi scoring for Rosengård. 1899 Hoffenheim progress to the group stage 6-3 on aggregate.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Vittsjö gained an excellent 1-0 victory on the road to third placed Eskilstuna United. They had to thank Sandra Adolfsson for the three points as she scored the only goal just before half-time to the delight of the 371 gathered fans. The visitors will now look to go on a positive run of results in order to keep their own top three hopes alive.
Rosengård continued their imperious form up with a 3-0 dismissal of AIK in front of 300 fans. It took the home side longer than they would have hoped to break through, but once Jelena Cankovic put the league leaders ahead just before the hour mark, there was no turning back. Gudrun Arnardottir and Olivia Schough scored four minutes apart to keep their team six points clear at the top.
BK Häcken remain second, but they made very hard work of getting a win at struggling Piteå in front of 523 fans. Mille Gejl Jensen scored the only goal after 48 minutes. The midweek exertions in the UEFA Champions League certainly did not help the second placed Gothenburg based side, but ultimately getting three points was all that mattered.
KIF Örebro gained a vital win at bottom side Växjö to avoid being drawn into the dogfight themselves. Wilma Ohman’s goal with just over 15 minutes left sealed their win in front of 176 fans.
Hammarby took advantage of Eskilstuna United’s slip up by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Kristianstads – another side involved in the battle for third place. Delaney Pridham gave Kristianstads the lead to the delight of the 460 strong crowd. Emilia Larsson levelled after 67 minutes with Emma Jansson hitting the winner seven minutes later.
Linköping joined the pack of five clubs battling for third place after a 3-1 win over Djurgården in front of 567 fans. Two first half goals from Cornelia Kapocs, after the Stockholm based side’s Portia Boakaye was sent off, put Linköping on the road to victory. Uchenna Kanu made it three just after the break before Nellie Lily hit a late consolation for Djurgården.
Round Sixteen Fixtures:
Djurgården v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Rosengård
Kristianstads v Linköping
Eskilstuna United v Växjö
BK Häcken v KIF Örebro
AIK v Piteå
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK extended their lead at the top of the table to six points after a 4-0 win at home to Lidköpings FK. Two goals in the first 35 minutes from Henna-Riikka Honkanen set the hosts on their way and a brace from Lisa Bjork in nine second half minutes completed the scoring to the delight of the 249 fans. Second placed IK Uppsala suffered a disappointing 3-2 loss at home to tenth placed Alingsås FC United. The visitors were 2-0 up after less than half an hour with Alma Oberg and Rebecca Cameras on target. Ida Stromblad gave Uppsala hope, but Stine Jensen’s strike with sixteen minutes left sealed the points. Moa Ohman’s late goal for Uppsala was nothing more than a consolation as her side’s hopes of overhauling Umeå IK suffered a significant setback. IF Brommapojkarna’s run up the table continued after they thrashed Borgeby FB 5-1. Daniella Famili got the ball rolling with a ninth minute penalty and Sara Eriksson doubled the lead two minutes later. Kajsa Arthursson got a goal back for Borgeby early in the second half, but two goals in the last 13 minutes from Mathilda Johansson and a penalty from Jennifer Sjosten ensured that Bromma are now just a single point behind second placed IK Uppsala. IFK Kalmar remain fourth thanks to a 3-2 win at Älvsjö AIK FF. The visitors raced to a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Tabby Tindell (2) and Kristen Schnurr. Two second half goals in ten minutes from Älvsjö gave the side from Stockholm’s suburbs hope, but they couldn’t quite get an equaliser. Morön BK are fifth, but only two points behind second place, after a 3-0 win at Jitex Mölndal. All the goals came in the first 33 minutes thanks to Ellen Shampoo, Hildah Magaia and Lova Andersson’s goals.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 2-3 Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-0 IFK Norrköping, Sundsvalls DFF 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, Älvsjö AIK FF 2-3 IFK Kalmar, Jitex Mölndal 0-3 Morön BK, Umeå IK 4-0 Lidköpings FK, IF Brommapojkarna 5-1 Borgeby FB.
Next Fixtures: IFK Kalmar v Mallbackens IF Sunne, IFK Norrköping v IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK v IF Brommapojkarna, Sundsvalls DFF v Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK v Älvsjö AIK FF, Borgeby FB v Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United v Morön BK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Danish national team midfielder Frederikke Thøgersen, who recently signed for Rosengård, has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and will miss the rest of the season.
The Swedish Scene
With UEFA Women’s Champions League action in midweek and important domestic league games last weekend, there has been a lot going on in Swedish women’s football. @DandalBs updates us (4/9/21).
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
Rosengård‘s second qualifying round first leg tie at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim ended in disappointment after a 3-0 loss. Belgian international Tine de Caigny opened the scoring for the German side just before the half hour mark. Laura Weinroither grabbed a second with 20 minutes to go and Chantel Hagel made it 3-0 in stoppage time.
There was better news for BK Häcken who returned from Oslo with a 3-1 win over Vålerenga. Filippa Angeldahl scored twice on her final appearance for the club ahead of her move to Manchester City and Stina Blackstenius made it 3-0 after 64 minutes. Rikke Madsen gave the Norwegians some hope for the second leg with a goal eight minutes from time.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Djurgården, in their first game under their new coach Magnus Pålsson, earned a vital 1-0 win over Växjö thanks to a goal from Julia Walentowicz after just ten minutes to the delight of the crowd of 541.
BK Häcken gained a thumping 5-1 win over Hammarby. Hammarby took an early lead through Hanna Lundkvist after just three minutes. However, goals from Dilya Yr Zomers, Mille Gejl Jensen (2), and Filipa Curmark (2) saw the home side clinch the points in front of 895 fans. The margin of victory emphasises the gap between really is a big difference Häcken and Rosengård at the top and the rest of the league as Hammarby are one of the candidates battling it out to finish third.
Eskilstuna United earned a 3-0 win over struggling Piteå. Mia Jalkerud, Paulina Nyström, Felicia Rogic Summer signing Jalkerud looks like exactly what Eskilstuna needed when they battled replace all the players that they lost in the transfer window. She scores, assists, and links up well with others. The vast majority of the 897 fans went home happy.
KIF Örebro ended their seven match run without a win after they earned a 2-1 win over visitors Linköping. Amanda Rantanen put the hosts ahead just after half-time before Emma Lennartsson levelled. Jessie Scarpa came on as a late sub for Örebro after 84 minutes and scored the winner two minutes into stoppage time which sent the 365 fans into raptures.
Vittsjö suffered a 4-0 defeat at home to leaders Rosengård. Ria Öling, two from Sanne Troelsgaard and Minnie Larsson scored the goals in front of 325.
AIK and Kristianstad played their Round Fourteen fixture a fortnight ago (see Swedish Scene from two weeks back) for details. It ended 1-1.
Round Fifteen Fixtures:
Vittsjö v Eskilstuna United
Rosengård v AIK
Växjö v KIF Örebro
Piteå v BK Häcken
Kristianstads v Hammarby
Linköping v Djurgården
ELITETTAN
Umeå IK got back to winning ways at the top of the table in some style with a 7-2 thrashing of fourth placed IFK Kalmar on the road. Sarah Mellouk (2), Monica Jusu Bah (2), Lisa Bjork, Henna Riikka Honkanen and Alexandra Sandstrom were on target. Minnie Asperot got both of Kalmar’s efforts. Second placed IK Uppsala also earned a big win away from home with a 5-0 win at Borgeby FB. Marika Lundin, Moa Ohman, Angelina Thoreson, Ellen Toivio and Hanna Persson were on target. IF Brommapojkarna went third after a 2-1 win at Bollstanäs SK. Emma Lund gave the home side an early lead before two goals from Klara Andrup within six minutes of each other in the last quarter sealed Bromma’s win. Morön BK are fifth, but could have taken advantage of IFK Kalmar’s thrashing if they had gained more than just a point against mid table Mallbackens IF Sunne. They took the lead through Irvina Bajramovic but Hildah Magala’s strike three minutes from the end earned Mallbackens a draw.
Latest Results: IFK Kalmar 2-7 Umeå IK, IFK Norrköping 1-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, Lidköpings FK 1-1 Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FB 0-5 IK Uppsala, Bollstanäs SK 1-2 IF Brommapojkarna, Morön BK 1-1 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United 0-1 Jitex Mölndal.
Next Fixtures: IK Uppsala v Alingsås FC United, Mallbackens IF Sunne v IFK Norrköping, Sundsvalls DFF v Bollstanäs SK, Älvsjö AIK FF v IFK Kalmar, Jitex Mölndal v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Lidköpings FK, IF Brommapojkarna v Borgeby FB.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Swedish international Kosovare Asllani confirmed on her Instagram page she has tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the first leg of Real Madrid’s UWCL tie on Tuesday against former club Manchester City.
Nilla Fischer, Sweden’s 37 year-old veteran defender, says she wants to play with the national team again. She didn’t go to the Olympics after getting an addition to the family this summer, but would, if selected, love to play the Euros in England next year.
Rosengård‘s Scottish international Fiona Brown suffered a left knee ACL injury in training last Wednesday. This is the second similar injury in a few weeks following new Danish signing Frederikke Thøgersen suffering one in the friendly against Linköping a few weeks ago.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us his Saturday morning round-up of all the week’s news from Sweden. This time, as well as the return of the Damallsvenskan and yet more drama at the top of the Elitettan, there is a record transfer fee paid for a Swedish star as Hanna Bennison’s move to Everton, first mentioned here many months ago, finally took place (28/8/21).
UEFA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS:
Kristianstad were denied a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage after they fell to a 3-1 defeat to Bordeaux who finished third in the French D1 Arkema. Mia Carlsson scored Kristianstad’s only goal.
BK Häcken have been drawn against Norwegian champions Vålerenga in the next stage of the UEFA Champions League qualifying path with the first leg in Norway. Speaking about the draw, Häcken head coach Mats Gren said: “I know them, we’ve been there watching players. They work hard and try to play football, but are definitely within our reach.”
Rosengård will face German side Hoffenheim in the same competition with the first leg in Sweden. Renée Slegers commented that: “There are no good or bad draws.”
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
AIK gained a vital 1-0 win over bitter rivals Djurgården thanks to a goal from Linda Hallin. For a long time, the match looked destined to finish goalless, but a scramble in the box after a corner gave AIK the win to the delight of the majority of the 427 supporters present.
Piteå came from behind to draw 1-1 with Linköping after Cornelia Kapocs put the visitors ahead. Fanny Andersson leveled in front of 624 fans. Piteå will be slightly more pleased with a point than their opponents.
Rosengård thrashed KIF Örebro 6-0 thanks to goals from Ria Öling (2), Mimmi Larsson, Jelena Cankovic, Sanne Troelsgaard and 16 year-old debutant Bea Sprung. Four hundred fans watched Rosengård completely dominate their opposition.
Växjö and Vittsjö played out a goalless draw in front of 317 fans.
Eskilstuna United picked up an impressive 2-0 win at home to Hammarby with Mia Jalkerud and Felicia Rogic scoring within the opening 17 minutes to the surprise of the gathered 450 fans.
In the battle of two of Sweden’s UEFA Champions League sides, Kristianstad went down to a 3-1 loss to BK Häcken. Stina Blackstenius, Stine Larsen, and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd put Häcken in the driving seat. Anna Welin got a goal back for Kristianstad in stoppage time which meant that the home crowd of 225 had something to cheer.
Round Fourteen Fixtures:
AIK v Kristianstads (already played – 1-1 draw)
Vittsjö v Rosengård
Djurgården v Växjö
BK Häcken v Hammarby
Eskilstuna United v Piteå
KIF Örebro v Linköping
ELITETTAN
It was another weekend of dropped points for the top two as the promotion battle from the Elitettan to the Damallsvenskan continues to provide real drama. Umeå IK are top by three points despite only achieving a 1-1 draw at home to tenth-placed Alingsås FC United in a game which saw them rely on an equalizing goal from Monica Bah with eight minutes left to save the blushes of the 445 fans present. Lisa Johansson had put Alingsås ahead on the hour mark. Second-placed IK Uppsala couldn’t take advantage as they blew a 2-0 lead against fellow promotion chasers Morön BK in a game that eventually ended 2-2. Ida Stromblad and Isabella Mattson put the hosts well clear to the delight of the 232 spectators, but two goals in eight minutes from Arianna Veland earned a draw for Morön. IFK Kalmar moved up to third with an impressive 3-1 win at IF Brommapojkarna who have rocketed up the table in recent weeks to join the promotion battle. Jenny Stadin and Tabby Tindell put Kalmar two up with less than 20 minutes gone before Mathilda Prakt got one back for Bromma. Tindell grabbed the sealer on 57 minutes in front of 89 fans.
Latest Results: Jitex Mölndal 0-0 Lidköpings FK, Älvsjö AIK FF 4-0 Borgeby FB, Mallbackens IF Sunne 3-1 Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF 1-0 IFK Norrköping, IF Brommapojkarna 1-3 IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK 1-1 Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala 2-2 Morön BK
Next Fixtures: IFK Kalmar v Umeå IK, IFK Norrköping v Älvsjö AIK FF, Lidköpings FK v Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FB v IK Uppsala, Bollstanäs SK v IF Brommapojkarna, Morön BK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United v Jitex Mölndal.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Rosengård have announced the departure of teen star Hanna Bennison after nine years at the club and she has joined Everton for “a substantial six-figure fee” which is rumoured to be somewhere in the region of €200,000. This would be the highest fee ever paid for a Swedish player. Bennison’s wages could make her the best-paid Swedish player abroad.
BK Häcken‘s Stina Blackstenius, who has been very successful both in club football and with Sweden at the Olympics, says she is ready to leave Häcken for a bigger European club, without being specific about where or when. She is out of contract after this season. Filippa Angeldahl is also strongly tipped to depart, but BK Häcken’s head coach Mats Gren remains confident that both will stay. As the Damallsvenskan transfer window is now closed, neither player can be replaced should they depart.
Rosengård confirms that goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé, who won a gold medal with Canada at the Olympic Games earlier this summer is leaving the club for Paris St. Germain.
National team legend Caroline Seger announced that she will continue to be available for selection for Sweden. “It’s like I’ve always said, as long as I am performing and motivated and playing football above all in Rosengård, I’m in the national team. This hasn’t changed after the Olympics. It will be fun to play qualifiers again!” she said.
Djurgården coach Pierre Fondin leaves the club after two years. The Stockholm side thanked him for his time but says they need new thoughts and other ideas to move forward. His replacement is Magnus Pålsson, currently assistant coach for Helsingborg’s U19 boys with ten years’ experience coaching mens’ and boys’ teams.
Bri Folds, who has been on loan from BK Häcken to Danish side Fortuna Hjörring, has signed a new deal with Spanish midtable side Real Betis.
Bea Sprung, the Rosengård 16-year-old who both played her first match and scored her first goal in Damallsvenskan last weekend, has signed a three-year contract with the club.
Djurgårdens IF: Building From The Academy Upwards
Impetus editor Ben Gilby spoke to Djurgårdens IF’s Linda Wijkström (board member and previously Head of Women’s Football) and Jean Balawo (Sports Director and Head of Girl’s Academy) about how the Stockholm based side, once one of the top sides in Europe are now aiming to consistently push higher up the Damallsvenskan table once more (26/8/21).
“As early as 1924, a women’s section was created within the Djurgården club, but it then contained various sports”, reveals Linda Wijkström.
“In 1967, the first match was played against Öxabäck. It was in the 60s that women’s football began to develop. Scandinavian countries during this period lead the way for women’s football. For example, you can mention The FA in England had a ban on women’s football until 1971.
“In the 70s and 80s, our team played in the second division, but from 1984 we played in the highest league. In 1989 we had our first player selected in the national team. The club has had a catchment area with northern Greater Stockholm. In the 90s, women’s football became its own association under Djurgårdens IF.”
The club had its greater period after merging with another Stockholm side, Älvsjö (see https://impetus885775742.wordpress.com/2020/11/26/exceptional-alvsjo-revisited-a-year-on/). Wijkström highlights how that joining of two clubs came together.
“A goal was set to win the Swedish Championship gold in 2005. The merged team was from the start a group that had previously been bitter enemies but everything went better than we had hoped for.
“To a large extent, it was the players’ merit. The background of the merger was that at that time there was no room for four teams from the Stockholm region in the highest national league. There was neither the financial nor player base. We also wanted to show that we could create a strong elite team from Stockholm. Six of the players also took a place in the Swedish national team which in the same year, 2003, took World Cup silver after losing to Germany in the final.
“The planned championship gold came in the first year after a match with Umeå IK, which at that time was the leading club in Swedish club football. We had revenues of SEK 1.8 million compared with Umeå’s SEK 7.9 million. Winning a gold with those revenues is not possible today and hardly then, but with a fantastic squad of players, leaders and supporters it was possible. (Comparative economy 2003, the total revenue in the highest league was SEK 26,663,000, 2020 SEK 129,000,000) Victoria Svensson was named Sweden’s best player and was also selected by one of the best players during the World Cup.
“Back then, the highest league in Sweden was ranked as one of the two best leagues in Europe, which meant that the league had good international and national players. During the early 2000s, Djurgården had well-known players from Germany and the USA, among others.
We wanted to play the majority of our matches at the historic Stockholms Stadion which was built for the 1912 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, the city did not prioritize that during the golden years, we had to change around for four different arenas around Stockholm.
“The memory of when the queues at the stadium curled up long when Umeå came to visit and the gold was to be salvaged is strong and that interest in women’s football grew so strong after the World Cup. The following year, 2004, was even better. We took the Swedish Championship gold and the Swedish Cup and advanced in the UEFA Women’s Cup (now the UEFA Women’s Champions League) We had four players in the Olympics. We had an average attendance of 1,200 and the highest crowd was against Umeå with over 8,000 people in the stands.
“In Swedish women’s club football, there is a lot of talk about the time before and after 2003. Another focus came on women’s club football after the silver in the World Cup. Djurgården /Älvsjö was one of three clubs in the Damallsvenskan that had, for example, a club manager. The level of the league was amateur but the ambition was to eventually build to a semi-professional level. All players had other jobs on the side and / or studied, which was included in the planning for matches, both internationally and nationally. Our trip in the Women’s Cup was of course something extra.
“Umeå IK had taken the title in previous years and of course we wanted to reach the same heights. Sweden and Germany were the two leading nations in women’s football and despite the fact that we were rivals on the pitch against Turbine Potsdam, we had good contact when it came to development issues. It also led to the years after we recruited the big stars Ariane Hingst and Nadine Angerer to the club from Turbine.
“Djurgården / Älvsjö became involved in both national and international football during these years. Former gold coach Thomas Dennerby became the national team captain for the Swedish national team and took the World Cup bronze in 2011 (today the national team coach in India) Victoria Sandell (formerly Svensson) became sports manager in Djurgården Damfotboll and is today assistant national team captain starting in 2021, chairman Per Darnell took place in the federal board and we can a long list of players and leaders who have continued in football in various ways. It was an important time for Djurgården’s success and the development of club football.”
We then turned to the present day and first examined how coronavirus has impacted on the club.
“It has really made us think,” said Jean Balawo, “and forced the teams in Damallsvenskan to develop in a positive way – how you think and reflect even more and often regarding events, as well as travel. It has also made us review our existing facilities to ensure the highest quality from a health perspective. Of course, we must not forget that there can also be negative bits with the pandemic, but I have chosen to focus on us as a team and club in aspect to what we have learned during the pandemic.”
In terms of the last few years, Jean admitted that the club have not been as successful, but sees good signs for the future.
“Yes, it is true that we have had less successful seasons but the trend is slowly rising. We have changed direction in a number of ways. In my role as Sports Director, not being a managerial role anymore, allows me to see the club in a different way. We have focused on building the academy so that in the long run the players will be able to come from below and in that way reduce the number of completed imports. On the pitch, we play with greater self-confidence and you see development day by day.”
With the Damallsvenskan now back after a break of over a month for the Olympics, Jean outlined his aims for the rest of the season:
“Of course, it is a tough what we have ahead of us, however, we are prepared for what is to come. The team has gotten better and better the further into the season we’ve come. There has also been some new players who arrived late that we have had to integrate gradually. The goal is and has always been to stabilize our operations, around which we see a strong development. We will take one match at a time and always give everything regardless.”
Whilst the Damallsvenskan is no longer ranked as one of the very top leagues in Europe, Jean is clear that it is still full of quality football.
“The Damallsvenskan as a brand is strong and the quality of the league is considered very high and will be for many more years to come. Swedish clubs can proudly rejoice that the players who leave Sweden are usually well-trained football players with awesome characters.
“Apart from two matches this year which had big score lines, the Damallsvenskan has had a lot of even matches with many one goal wins, it is a sign that the league is fairly even sports wise.”
We closed our discussion looking at the future generation of Djurgården players as Jean highlighted the player pathway from girls’ to senior football:
“We currently have an academy from the ages of 10-19 with employed coaches who are dedicated and motivated. We have our senior women’s team captain Sheila van den Bulk as the assistant coach in FA19 to help with the transition from junior to senior.
“We have also introduced something that we call an apprenticeship agreement where the club encourages A-team coaches to look at the F19 business with different eyes.”
The Swedish Scene
It’s been another busy week in Swedish women’s football with Champions League action and the first post Olympics Damallsvenskan match. If that wasn’t enough, there’s some major transfer news (21/8/21).
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Kristianstad beat Brøndby 1-0 in their UEFA Women’s Champions League tie. All in all it was a reasonable result between Denmark’s number two and Sweden’s number three. Alice Nilsson, 25, scored for Kristianstad.
AIK played an early match ahead of schedule in the Damallsvenskan on Saturday when they finally ended their four game losing streak by holding Kristianstads to a 1-1 front of a crowd of 237 in Solna. Ruusul Kafaji gave the home side the lead on 37 minutes with Amanda Edgren levelling for Kristianstads six minutes later.
Several friendly matches between Damallsvenskan sides took place last weekend ahead of this week’s return to league action. Rosengård gained a 2-1 win over Linköping with two goals from Mimi Larsson. Cornelia Kapocs replied for Linköping.
Hammarby were held to a 3-3 draw by Vittsjö. Matilda Vinberg, Nina Jakobsson, and Emlia Larsson were on target for the Stockholm based side with Mie Leth Jans, Julia Tunturi, and Ebba Wieder scoring for Vittsjö.
KIF Örebro played out a 1-1 draw with Djurgården with Moa Öhman and Linda Motlhalo scoring for the respective sides.
Piteå had a warm-up game against a team consisting of 16 year-old boys from local club Storfors. A 12-1 win which saw goals come from Katrina Guillou, Anam Imo (2), Hlin Eiriksdottir, Hanna Andersson, Jennie Nordin (2), Ellen Karlsson (2), Cajsa Hedlund (2), Cecilia Edlund.
The Damallsvenskan returns this weekend after a break for the Olympics with these matches:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
Umeå IK extended their lead at the top of the table after they won 2-0 at the fading challengers of Älvsjö AIK FF – a score line which, combined with the chasing pack all dropping points put them six points clear at the Elitettan’s summit. Goals from Sarah Mellouk (20) and Henna-Rikka Honkanen (34) sealed the win. Second placed IK Uppsala were held 0-0 by Bollstanäs SK who had lost all bar two of their matches going into this game. Morön BK, who went into the game in third place, fell to a 1-0 loss at home to IF Brommapojkarna who now replace their hosts in that position in the table after a fantastic run of results. Their win was thanks to Jennifer Sjösten’s goal after 13 minutes to the shock of the 171 fans. Lidköpings FK and IFK Kalmar, two members of the pack just outside of the promotion spots faced off and drew 1-1 in a result which helped neither side. Andrea Thorisson put Kalmar ahead, but agonisingly for them, the home side bagged an equaliser from Emilia Bengtsson with just three minutes left to the delight of the 181 strong crowd.
Latest Results: Morön BK 0-1 IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB 3-3 Sundsvalls DFF, Alingsås FC United 0-2 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF 0-2 Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK 0-0 IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK 1-1 IFK Kalmar, IFK Norrköping 0-1 Jitex Mölndal.
Next Fixtures: Jitex Mölndal v Lidköpings FK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Borgeby FB, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF v IFK Norrköping, IF Brommapojkarna v IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Morön BK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Reports from Telegraph website say that Rosengård‘s Hanna Bennison’s move to Everton is finalised with a six figure transfer fee agreed. This would fit with Rosengård’s sporting director Therese Sjögran’s earlier statement that Bennison will not go for a fee below €100,000. Bennison did not train with Rosengård at the end of this week.
As we first suggested a couple of weeks ago, KIF Örebro‘s Karin Lundin has joined Fiorentina.
Kristianstad have signed Delaney Baie Pridham, an American forward, from IBV Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland.
AIK has agreed a loan deal with Orlando Pride for defender Konya Plummer to join on a loan deal for the rest of the season. The 24 year-old was Jamaica’s captain in the 2019 World Cup in France. The Solna based side have also taken 22 year-old midfielder Joy Bokiri on a deal for the rest of the season. Bokiri is capped for Nigeria and joins from Bayelsa Queens in her homeland.
19 year-old midfielder Louise Hvarfner has extended her contract with Djurgården for a further three and a half years.
Rosengård have confirmed that PSG has shown interest in their Canadian Olympic champion, goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé. Talks have taken place between the clubs, but there is no agreement yet.
The Swedish Scene
This week saw the transfer window close and the second tier Elitettan return along with some friendly matches between Damallsvenskan sides. @DandalBs rounds up all the action (13/8/21).
NEWS ROUND-UP:
AIK have continued their signing spree with the arrival of 24 year-old defender Julia Olsson, who graduated at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida this spring and then returned to IF Brommapojkarna. She has joined the Solna based side for the rest of this season.
The club have announced that their 19 year-old defender Clara Härdling has left to study and continue her footballing development at the University of California, Los Angeles and UCLA Bruins. She has 26 caps for Sweden from U15 to U19.
Mia Jalkerud, formerly a prolific forward with Djurgården has joined Eskilstuna United. The 31 year-old most recently played in for Arna-Björnar in Norway where she scored five goals in nine matches.
Eskilstuna United have taken a second person from Arna-Björnar with the arrival of 36 year-old Gudbjörg “Gugga” Gunnarsdóttir, who was also previously at Djurgården player, as a new goalkeeper coach.
Following Melina Loeck’s hand injury, Kristianstad has decided to bring back goalkeeper Moa Olsson who was on loan at third tier side Lörby IF.
Synne Skinnes Hansen, who left Linköping last week, has signed a two year deal with top Norwegian side Rosenborg.
Hammarby have loaned out Jonna Ståhl to Elitettan side IF Brommapojkarna. The 26 year-old is coming back from injury and needs playing time.
Vittsjö‘s promising 20 year-old forward Pauline Nyström has gone out on loan to Eskilstuna United for more playing time.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Whilst the Damallsvenskan is still on a break until 20th August, several friendly matches have been played in recent days.
Last Friday, hosts Hammarby lost 2-1 to Rosengård despite going ahead thanks to Nina Jakobsson’s goal after nine minutes and the home side kept the lead until Stefanie Sanders equalised on 64 minutes and grabbed the winner in injury time.
AIK draw 1-1 at home with KIF Örebro last Sunday. Newly signed Kaisa Collin scored the opener for AIK in the first half, with Elli Pikkusjämsä levelling for Örebro in the second period.
On Tuesday, Djurgården went down 1-0 at home to Eskilstuna United thanks to goal by Elise Stenevik after just six minutes.
Also on Tuesday, Vittsjö went down 3-0 at home to BK Häcken. The goals came from Julia Zigiotti Olme, Stine Larsen and Julia Karlernäs. Michella de Jongh played her first game for Vittsjö since returning from France with Tove Almqvist and Ebba Wieder also back for the home side.
The Damallsvenskan is presently on a break for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
The Elitettan returned from its short break last weekend. Leaders Umeå IK are four points clear at the top after a comprehensive 5-1 win over Borgeby FK in front of 245 fans. Monica Jusu Bah hit two goals with Lisa Björk, Alma Uvell and Alexandra Sandström all on target. Borgeby’s effort came via an own goal. Morön BK are second following their 3-0 win at Sundsvalls DFF. The three goals came in a sixteen minute spell from the 67th minute onwards thanks to strikes from Carla Portillo, Villemo Dahlqvist and Michaela Kovacs. IK Uppsala edged out fellow challengers Älvsjö AIK FF 3-2 in a real rollercoaster of a match watched by 272 supporters. Uppsala were 2-0 up after just 18 minutes thanks to goals from Maria Poli and Angelina Thoreson. Yet midway through the second half, Älvsjö were level thanks to two goals from Alice Ahlberg. It only stayed 2-2 for five minutes as Ellen Toivio hit Uppsala’s winner. The consequences of that defeat for Älvsjö are that they are now highly unlikely to maintain their promotion challenge as they are now six points outside the top three. IFK Kalmar lost a chance to go second when they could only draw 1-1 at home to Alingsås FC United. The visitors took the lead on 25 minutes when Rebecca Cameras netted. An own goal on 56 minutes earned Kalmar a point.
Latest Results: IF Brommapojkarna 2-0 IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK 0-0 Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar 1-1 Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala 3-2 Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 1-1 Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-3 Morön BK, Umeå IK 5-1 Borgeby FK.
Next Fixtures: Morön BK v IF Brommapojkarna, Borgeby FB v Sundsvalls DFF, Alingsås FC United v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Älvsjö AIK FF v Umeå IK, Bollstanäs SK v IK Uppsala, Lidköpings FK v IFK Kalmar, IFK Norrköping v Jitex Mölndal.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs updates us on the week’s goings on in the Swedish domestic club game with lots of transfer activity (7/8/21).
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Eskilstuna United midfielder Amanda Nildén will be joining fellow Swedes Linda Sembrandt and Lina Hurtig at Serie A champions Juventus. Eskilstuna have now lost three key players during the summer window. Eskilstuna scored 12 goals before the Damallsvenskan broke for the Olympics. The three players who have departed Eskilstuna have scored seven goals between them and provided a further seven assists. The transfer window is open until 11th August and the club needs to make signings urgently.
Hammarby winger Emilia Larsson, who has attracted interest from other clubs, has extended her contract for a further two years: “I chose to follow my heart”, she explained. Also extending her contract at the club is goalkeeper Britta Gynning signs for the rest of the season.
Caisa Collin, who has had limited playing time this season at Eskilstuna United, moves to AIK on a two and a half year contract. The 24 year-old forward has 21 caps for Finland.
AIK have also announced that talented 16 year-old forward Matilda Nildén has signed a two and a half year contract. Nildén joins from IF Brommapojkarna in the Elitettan and is the younger sister of Amanda Nildén who just signed for Juventus. The Nildén family have long standing links with AIK.
The last of the Solna based side’s three arrivals this week is 20 year-old midfielder Ebba Jahnfors from Kristianstad on a year and a half contract. Jahnfors hasn’t appeared in any competitive matches with Kristianstad this season.
Kristianstad, in a training camp outside Göteborg, played Norwegian UEFA Champions League competitors Vålerenga in a friendly. The match finished 2-2 after Kristianstad came from behind two twice. Amanda Edgren and Sveindis Jónsdóttir scored.
In slightly less positive news for the club, goalkeeper Melina Loeck has injured a hand in training and is expected to be out for “a few weeks”, which might include their UEFA Champions League qualification ties.
Linköping have announced that their 25 year-old Norwegian midfielder Synne Skinnes Hansen has left the club after a year and a half. As yet, her new destination is unknown.
KIF Örebro have signed Finnish national team forward Amanda Rantanen from PK-35 in the Finnish league. The 23 year-old has signed a contracting lasting for a year and a half and comes in as a replacement for Karin Lundin.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The Damallsvenskan is presently on a break for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
The Elitettan returns from its short break this weekend. The fixtures are below.
Next matches: IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Borgeby FK.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the news from the Swedish domestic game. As well as the national team reaching the semi-finals at the Olympics, it’s been a busy week of transfers (31/7/21).
Above: Sweden celebrate reaching the Semi-Finals at the Olympics yesterday with victory over host nation Japan. Photo: Getty Images
NEWS ROUND-UP:
FA Women’s Super League side Arsenal have confirmed the signing Frida Maanum after she recently departed Linköping after four years. The 22 year-old who can play in defence or midfield scored 22 goals in 80 games for Linköping and holds 33 caps for Norway, for whom she represented in the 2017 UEFA European Championships.
Linköping have announced the arrival of Ukrainian national team player Nadiia Kunina on a three and a half year contract. The 21 year-old has been with Champions League competitor Zhytlobud-1 since she was 18 and “can play in all offensive positions”.
Julia Karlernäs has joined BK Häcken after a year with Spanish side Sevilla. The 27 year-old midfielder, who has previously won the Damallsvenskan with Piteå, holds five caps for Sweden. She signs on a two and a half year deal.
Rosengård’s signing spree continues with the arrival of Australia’s hugely impressive Olympic goalkeeper Teagan Micah. The 23 year-old is in fine form in recent months after a stellar W-League season with Melbourne City. She joins from top Norwegian side Sandviken on a two year contract. Although they have not commented, Micah’s arrival suggests that current first choice goalkeeper, Canadian international Stephanie Labbé is going elsewhere, with Paris St. Germain rumoured.
Danish defender Kamilla Karlsen joins Djurgården from Fleury 91 in the French D1. The 21 year-old has experience from several years with top Copenhagen side Bröndby and has represented the Danish youth national teams. She will cover the loss of Gudrun Arnardottir, who went to Rosengård.
Vittsjö forward Beatrice Persson has left club for Danish side Brøndby. This means it is a possibility that she will play in their upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Kristianstad in August. The 21 year-old has mostly played as a substitute this season.
Växjö have announced the signing of 20 year-old Australian defender Winonah Heatley. The youngster had a hugely impressive season in the W-League with Brisbane Roar last time round and this is her first move outside of Australia.
Djurgården has signed 18 year-old talent Alice Bergströmfrån from Elitettan side Älvsjö. The young winger will see out the 2021 season with Älvsjö before making the move to Djurgården.
KIF Örebro’s leading goal scorer Karin Lundin, who scored 11 goals last season will be leaving for a yet unnamed European club, although there is strong speculation that it will be Fiorentina.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The Damallsvenskan is presently on a break for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
The Elitettan is on a break until the next round of matches which will be played on 7-8th August. The games scheduled for those dates are shown below:
Next matches: IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Borgeby FK.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs rounds up all the news from a momentous week for Swedish women’s football. As well as some news from the national camp, there’s a lot of movement on the transfer front (24/7/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Magdalena Eriksson missed Sweden’s outstanding win over the USA on the opening day of the women’s football event at the Olympic Games due to her continued recovery from the calf injury that caused her to leave the Sweden v Australia match 15th June. Team doctor Mats Börjesson says she needed a few more days’ full training before she can perform 100%.
These extra few days allowed her to receive the all clear to play against Australia today. She wanted to play already against USA, but the medical team said no, “and I have to trust they knows best” she said.
There also appears to be good news relating to the blow on the head that striker Stina Blackstenius’ received against the USA will not cause any problems, assures coach Peter Gerhardsson.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
BK Häcken’s Martin Ericsson has addressed Barcelona’s rumoured interest in Filippa Angeldahl by saying that there are no offers yet and “We will do what we can to keep her, but if you lose a good player, you want it to be to a club of that calibre”.
Staying at the club, Evelyn Ijeh, as well as her younger sister Josephine who is part of BK Häcken’s youth programme, has been called up to a Nigeria national team camp in Austria. Evelyn has about 20 caps for Sweden’s youth teams.
Rosengård have added to their Danish contingent with the arrival of 25 year-old national team midfield/forward Frederikke Thøgersen, most recently with ACF Fiorentina in Italian Serie A. She has signed a two year contract.
The current league leaders have also announced the signing of Iceland’s 26 year-old defender Guðrún Arnardóttir. She comes after two years with Djurgården and has eight caps for Iceland.
Japanese international forward Nicole Momiki has joined Linköping on loan from OL Reign until the end of the year. Momiki, presently with Japan at the Tokyo Olympics, was at Linköping on a previous loan spell 2020, but it was ended due to an injury.
Linköping have also announced the signing of Amalie Jørgensen Vangsgaard after a trial period with the club. A Danish offensive player, Vangsgaard has joined on a two and a half year contract. The 24 year-old comes from FC Nordsjælland in the Danish top league.
In preparation for their UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification ties, Kristianstad have set up a friendly against Norwegian champions and fellow UWCL qualifier Vålerenga on 2nd August.
Djurgården’s 26 year-old American defender Rachel Bloznalis has announced that she will take a break from football for health reasons. She received a head injury in March and is still suffering from symptoms.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The Damallsvenskan is presently on a break for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
Ahead of those games, Hammarby have announced friendlies against Rosengård on 7th August and Vittsjö on 14th August.
ELITETTAN
The Elitettan is currently on a break during the Olympic Games. The next round of matches are scheduled to be played on 7-8th August:
Next matches: IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Borgeby FK.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs updates us on the goings on in Sweden with the final round of matches in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan before the Olympic break. There’s also lots of transfer news, with Eskilstuna United featuring prominently (17/7/21).
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Linköping went down to a 3-0 loss at home to second placed BK Häcken with all the goals coming in the last 23 minutes. Milica Mijatovic put Häcken ahead with Dilja Yr Zomers doubling their advantage four minutes later. Evelyn Ijeh completed the scoring two minutes into stoppage time.
Eskilstuna United continued their journey towards the upper reaches of the table as they sent injury-ravaged AIK to yet another loss. Felicia Rogic (pictured above via Aftonbladet) scored the only goal in the last half hour which sent the crowd of 1,112 home very happy.
Vittsjö played out a 0-0 draw with Kristianstad.
Djurgården continued to pull away from the relegation zone after a 3-0 win over strugglers Piteå. The Stockholm based side went ahead just before the break thanks to an own goal. Nellie Lilja added a second just before the hour mark with Sara Olai completing the scoring in the final minute.
As expected, Rosengård comfortably won the top against bottom clash against Växjö with a 5-0 win. Olivia Schough got the scoreboard moving after two minutes with Anna Anvegård adding a second seven minutes later. Six minutes before half-time, Nathalie Björn made it 3-0. Caroline Seger and Stefanie Sanders completed the rout.
Hammarby’s marvellous return to the Damallsvenskan after promotion from the Elitettan at the end of last season continues after a 3-2 win at KIF Örebro which ensures they go into the Olympic break in third place. 2-3 Hammarby. Madelen Janogy put the visitors ahead on seven minutes before Örebro levelled just two minutes later after an own goal. In the early exchanges of the second half, the hosts went ahead thanks to a strike from Karin Lundin. Two goals in five minutes turned the match on its head and ensured that Hammarby went back to Stockholm with all three points. Elsa Karlsson and Emilia Larsson’s brilliant free kick clinched the win in front of an enthralled crowd of 763.
The Damallsvenskan now breaks for the Olympic Games and returns on 20th August with the set of fixtures below:
Round Thirteen Fixtures:
Växjö v Vittsjö
Hammarby v Eskilstuna United
AIK v Djurgården
Piteå v Linköping
Rosengård v KIF Örebro
Kristianstads v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
It was a weekend of shocks in the Elitettan as the top two both suffered defeats to further tighten the promotion race. Leaders Umeå IK suffered a 3-0 loss away to fourth placed Lidköpings FK. Frida Lahteenmaki, Ida Pettersson and an own goal completed the win to the delight of 191 fans. Jitex Mölndal, in the bottom four pre-game, pulled off a sensational 2-1 win over second placed IK Uppsala. Two goals in nine first half minutes from Stinalisa Johansson and Alexandra Hellekant put Jitex ahead before an own goal just after the hour mark gave Uppsala a chance of a point, but they could not find the net again. Due to results elsewhere, Uppsala dropped to fourth as a consequence. IFK Kalmar took advantage to go second following a 1-0 win over Sundavalls DFF. Tabby Tindell’s goal with six minutes left was the difference. Morön BK went third after a 5-0 thrashing of Borgeby FK. A Hildah Tholakele Magala hat-trick plus further strikes form Arianna Veland and Lina Pettersson completed the win. Älvsjö AIK FF took advantage of the top two’s defeats to bring new life into their promotion push with a 2-0 win over Bollstanäs SK. Marie Segerholm and Alice Ahlberg were on target.
Latest Results: Alingsås FC United 0-2 IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping 2-1 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK 3-0 Umeå IK, Morön BK 5-0 Borgeby FK, Jitex Mölndal 2-1 IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, IFK Kalmar 1-0 Sundsvalls DFF.
The Elitettan now takes a break until the next round of matches which will be played on 7-8th August. The games scheduled for those dates are shown below:
Next matches: IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping, Bollstanäs SK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Lidköpings FK, Sundsvalls DFF v Morön BK, Umeå IK v Borgeby FK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
FAWSL side Everton have announced the signing of Swedish international Anna Anvegård on a two-year deal and fellow countrywoman Nathalie Björn on a three-year deal from Rosengård for an undisclosed fee.
There are rumours suggesting that Emilia Larsson, who has been an important part of Hammarby‘s so far successful season, is supposed to have received offers from both BK Häcken and Rosengård. Larsson has earlier stated that she has no plans to leave Hammarby. BK Häcken coach Mats Gren added fuel to the fire by saying when asked about Larsson: “She is very interesting. She has an interesting position where she scores and assists a lot. The way we play, she would fit in very well.”
Rosengård confirms the signing of Eskilstuna United’s star Loreta Kullashi. The 22 year-old spent the last four seasons with her previous club, and has signed a three and a half year long contract.
Also departing Eskilstuna United is Fanny Andersson, who has signed a 2 year deal with Piteå. The 26 year-old midfielder played every match for her previous club since she joined 2019.
A disruptive few days concluded for Eskilstuna United with the news that their head coach Magnus Karlsson has left the club for an assignment as club director at IFK Norrköping. IFK is a classic Swedish club with a long and sometimes successful history. Eskilstuna has just begun looking for Karlsson’s replacement.
Växjö‘s Signe Holt Andersen, who announced that she would be leaving a short time ago, has been signed for Lazio, newly promoted to Serie A.
Young star Hanna Bennison has added to speculation about her departure from Rosengård by saying “Anything can happen”. Boss Therese Sjögran says a roster like Rosengård’s is bound to attract interest. More players leaving depends on “if they can be replaced, if the money is right and so on”.
There are rumours that European Champions Barcelona have showed some initial interest in BK Häcken and Sweden midfielder Filippa Angeldahl. Angeldahl is in her final year of her contract with BK Häcken.
Paris St. Germain have confirmed the signing of Amanda Ilestedt on a two year deal.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the happenings in the Swedish women’s game. All the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus a busy week of news and transfers, particularly involving Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård (10/7/21).
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Injury ravaged AIK’s poor run continues after a desperately disappointing 4-0 loss to fellow relegation candidates. Piteå. Selina Henriksson, Astrid Larsson, Jennie Nordin and Anam Imo were on target. AIK have now conceded 16 goals in their last three games without scoring. The sooner their injury list eases the better.
BK Häcken returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Kristianstad. Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Dilya Yr Zomers put the home side 2-0 up within the opening 14 minutes. Stina Blackstenius’ hat-trick settled matters with the other goal coming from Emma Kullberg. Kristianstad’s goals came courtesy of Emma Petrovic and an own goal. Blackstenius is now four goals clear of Hammarby’s Madelen Janogy at the top of the scorers chart with 11 goals.
Växjö continued their poor run and lack of goal scoring ability with a 2-0 reversal at home to Eskilstuna United. Fanny Andersson and Felicia Rogic were on target. Eskilstuna are slowly advancing towards the upper reaches of the Damallsvenskan.
KIF Örebro earned a superb point against run away league leaders Rosengård after a 0-0 draw. Great goalkeeping from young Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir and ten players defending in the area earned Örebro a share of the spoils.
Hammarby suffered a cruel 1-0 loss to Vittsjö due to a superb free-kick from Fernanda Da Silva in the 92nd minute. It was a blow to the Stockholm based side who were looking for a top three spot.
Djurgården earned a 2-2 draw with Linköping. Uchenna Grace Kanu put Linköping ahead only for Michaela van den Bulk to level. It remained this way until the last quarter. The sides shared a further two goals in a two minute spell with Sara Olai putting the Stockholm based side ahead with Petra Johansson hitting back for Linköping to make it 2-2. It was a very entertaining match, but looks like Linköping are missing the departed Frida Maanum. Djurgården have now gone four games unbeaten.
Round Twelve Fixtures:
Linköping v BK Häcken
Vittsjö v Kristianstads
Eskilstuna United v AIK
Djurgården v Piteå
KIF Örebro v Hammarby
Rosengård v Växjö
The above games were played in midweek THIS week – for a full round-up of the action from these matches, see next week’s Swedish Scene.
ELITETTAN
Umeå IK go top after a 2-0 win over an Älvsjö AIK FF side who had been in the top five all season. Two goals in a ten minute first half spell from Lisa Bjork and the prolific Henna-Riikke Honkanen settled the outcome. Previous leaders IK Uppsala suffered an 3-2 loss to in-form IFK Kalmar. Kalmar were 3-0 up after 24 minutes thanks to goals from Kajsa Lang, Jessika Pedersen and Andrea Thorisson. Second half efforts from Hanna Persson and Moa Ohman gave Uppsala some hope. Kalmar’s great recent run sees them just a point behind Uppsala in third. Morön BK promotion hopes were dented after twice blowing a one goal lead in a 3-2 defeat to IF Brommapojkarna. Emma Viklund gave Morön the lead before Daniella Famili levelled four minutes later. Hildah Tholakale Magaia put Morön back ahead before Bromma goals in the last ten minutes sealed the win with Jennifer Sjosten and Mathilda Lindstrom on target.
Latest Results: IK Uppsala 2-3 IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK 2-0 Älvsjö AIK FF, Alingsås FC United 2-3 Sundsvalls DFF, Bollstanäs SK 2-6 Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne 7-1 Jitex Mölndal, IF Brommapojkarna 3-2 Morön BK, Borgeby FK 0-0 IFK Norrköping.
Next matches: Alingsås FC United v IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Norrköping v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK v Umeå IK, Morön BK v Borgeby FK, Jitex Mölndal v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v Bollstanäs SK, IFK Kalmar v Sundsvalls DFF.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
In the UEFA Women’s Champions League league qualifying, Kristianstad have been handed a tough tie against Danish side Brøndby. If successful, they will play winner of the tie between Bordeaux (France) and Slovacko (Czech Republic). The ties involving Kristianstad, Brøndby, Bordeaux and Slovacko will all be played at Kristianstad on 18 and 31 August.
Lots of news from Damallsvenskan leaders Rosengård over the past seven days. First, they strengthened their squad further with two more signings over the past week. First was the arrival of 31 year-old German defender Bianca Schmidt on a two year deal. Schmidt comes from Turbine Potsdam, where she has spent most of her career, including Bundesliga and Champions League wins. They then added Mia Persson, the 30 year-old midfielder who has spent the last few seasons at Slavia Prague, top Czech club and Champions League qualifier. Persson, who was captain for IF Limhamn Bunkeflo during their Damallsvenskan stay, has signed a two year contract.
Rosengård have publicly thanked Anna Anvegård, Nathalie Björn and Glodis Perla Viggosdottir as well as coach Jonas Eidevall for their time in the club before their game against Växjö in midweek. Viggosdottir has signed for Bayern Munich with Anvegård and Björn rumoured to be moving to Everton. Jonas Eidevall is going to take over as the new head coach of FA Women’s Super League heavyweights Arsenal.
The club ended the week being strongly linked with Eskilstuna United’s star player, the 22 year-old forward Loreta Kullashi. Kullashi has been open about not staying in Eskilstuna after this season. It’s said a transfer fee will be involved.
One final piece of positive news for Rosengård was the announcement that Olivia Schough has been named Damallsvenskan player of the month for June.
Sofia Jakobsson’s move to Bayern Munich, which we suggested here last week has been confirmed.
Växjö have signed another Finnish forward. The 27 year-old Juliette Kemppi joins from English second tier club London City Lionesses. Kemppi plays often together with other recent Växjö signing Adelina Engman for Finland.
It has been reported by @RomBalland that Amanda Ilestedt will join PSG. The former Bayern Munich defender will slot right into the hole left by Irene Paredes.
KIF Örebro: Aiming To Return To Past Glories
KIF Örebro chairman Frederik Sterngard spoke to Ben Gilby about the Damallsvenskan club’s history, which included a Champions League run which led to financial pressures before rebuilding towards their present status (8/7/21).
KIF Örebro can trace their roots back to 1980 when Karlslunds IF men’s club put together a women’s side. However, as Frederik Sterngard reveals, things changed quickly.
“They did not feel that they got enough attention within the club,” he said, “so they started their own women’s club, Karlslunds IF DFF. They did well and advanced all the way to the top tier league, the OBOS Damallsvenskan. The club is placed in tenth place in the all-time table with 372 games played in the league and 495 points earned.
“KIF Örebro have spent 19 of the past 20 seasons in the OBOS Damallsvenskan with 2018 spent in the second tier Elitettan. Today the club has the first team and two youth academy teams (U19 and U17), and also six girls teams.”
That pathway can see players start at the club from a young age, as Sterngard explained. “A girl starts aged six at KIF Örebro and when reaching the age of fourteen we give players an opportunity to join our U15/U16 team and then to try out for joining our academy (U17 and U19). Then we have a lot of collaboration between U15/16 and U17, but also U17 and U19. And in the end players from our U19 train and play games with the first team.
“However from U17 and up its only elite players. So we don’t have a senior team for those that don’t make it into the elite., These players go to third tier clubs around us in the Örebro area, same with players from U17 and U19 that don’t make it.
“Our academy also attract players from around the region. This year, we have one of the strongest U19 teams we’ve had for a long time and we have also just started our U17 team. So we are spending a lot of money on the academy. We want to produce good players for not just KIF Örebro, but also to the top clubs in Europe.”
This expansion has been particularly impressive amidst the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit Örebro badly, as Sterngard reveals.
“It has had a big impact. It made it hard to maintain operations within our elite teams. They were effected by financial losses.
“However, a small budget and help from the government and local partners enabled the club managed to make it through the year. In terms of positive cases, the club has only had a couple. The 2020 season was supposed to start mid-April, but did not start until the end of June. This had an impact on all the players and the pre-season. It did create some stress fractures and also some serious injuries with a whole season being played in fewer months. In the end we managed to end up in seventh place in the league.”
The club enjoyed their greatest season in their history in 2014 when they finished as runners-up in the Damallsvenskan which earned them a place in the UEFA Champions League. It was a campaign that Frederik and the fans will never forget.
“We had a really strong team 2014 lead by Rickard Nilsson. The runner-up position (with 42 points after 14 wins and 6 losses and 32-14 in goal difference) came as a surprise to many, but a lot had to do with KIF Örebro having both good players in the team with a very offensive playing style. Key players in the achievement were Julia Spetsmark, Stephanie Labbé, Sarah Michael and Sanna Talonen.
“Of course, it led to a place in the Champions League for 2014/15 and that was amazing in terms of experience and brand value for our club. It put KIF Örebro on the map. With a win over PAOK and then playing two draws against Paris St. Germain (being eliminated on the fact that it was 1-1 in the home game in Sweden) was hard. The team with Spetsmark, Hanna Folkesson, Elin Magnusson, Lisa Dahlkvist, Sarah Michael and Sanna Talonen was so good.
“The home game against Paris St. Germain saw us achieve our record attendance in our clubs history: 5,976! We are proud of our effort. We know we could have beaten PSG, but this time it was not enough to play two draws.
“However the Champions League experience was not all positive. In economic terms that season was devastating. There were no money in the Champions League back then. So a lot of costs were brought on and our expensive squad did start an economic down spiral in 2016 and 2017.
“This caused serious economic problems with negative capital, making the club almost losing its elite status within the Swedish Football Association, which could have cost us a spot in the OBOS Damallsvenskan. In 2017 the club did not perform well and we were relegated, much due to the financial situation effecting the whole operations.
“Looking back, that one season in the Elitettan was good for the club. It gave us a re-start and the club started to deal with the bad financial position. A new focus on young hungry players and players that had big potential was brought on as the “guideline” for the sports director.
“We also aimed to bring through more local talent. After two years of losses, the club made a profit again in 2018, and the team also did perform securing the spot back to the OBOS Damallsvenskan.
“This was against all odds. A lot of experts did predict the end of the club in 2017 when we were relegated due to our bad financial outlook and the fact that going back up again is very hard. But we did work hard, cutting costs and also putting our new strategy in to place with a new club director and new coaches. Stefan Ärnsved came in as head coach. He stayed on for three years (2018-2020). Now its Rickard Johansson as head coach.
Sweden has, historically been one of the most successful nations in European club competitions. With the big finances at clubs in England and clubs such as Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona, I wondered if Sterngard felt that it was the end of any chance that Swedish sides have of successful runs in Europe.
“This is a hard question, but an important one. I think we need to understand that our biggest strength is that Sweden has over 100,000 girls playing football. If the elite clubs play our cards right we can capitalize on this, making sure Sweden produce good talent for the clubs in the big leagues. That could mean money pouring in to Swedish elite women’s football.
“We also need to build on the fact that Swedish clubs do a lot of good in terms of commercially. We have now started to see big companies picking up on this, investing in the Swedish clubs. This is a big source of income that will grow. The clubs also have to come together and really see it as a mission for ALL clubs to make sure that in the short term FC Rosengård and BK Häcken (formerly Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC) advance to the group stage of the new Champions League format.
“But in the end, money will make all the difference. Still not that much money is being spent on women’s football, but if it develops as we hope the big nations in Europe will advance. I hope Sweden can keep competing on a high level and hopefully we can see that the big focus on gender equality in Sweden can help capitalizing more money in to Swedish women’s football.”
We then turned our focus onto this season specifically. At the present time, KIF Örebro are just below the mid-table mark. “Ahead of this campaign, we did sign a big talent: the Icelandic national team goalie Cecilia Ran Runarsdottir, one of Europe’s biggest talents. We also brought back Jenna Hellstrom (Canadian national team player) who was previously at our club in 2019. I would say these are two really special signings, enthused Sterngard.
“Then we have a lot of young promising Swedish players such as Anna Sandberg (local product), Cassandra Larsson (youth national team) and also Berglind Ros Augustidottir (Icelandic national team players). Some other strong names that stayed in the club from last year are Karin Lundin (11 goals in 2020) and Elli Pikkujämsä (Finnish national team defender). We are awaiting Heidi Kollanen to recover from a knee injury. She is also a Finnish national team player.
“This season, our new coach Rickard Johansson is implementing a whole new playing style at KIF Örebro. We are going to play more with the ball and try to build up our attacks from the back line (or even the goalie). A lot of work has been put into this with a lot of new players this year and this new playing style. It made us lose more games than usual in the pre-season period. In the Swedish cup we did not have our overseas players ready, which had a big impact and we went out in the group stage.
“Overall this season, we are proving a lot of experts wrong. They did not believe in our new playing style, or at least not that it would pay off so quickly. We are committed to continue working with our young players (our average age is 21) to believe in their own and the team’s qualities.
At the present time, the club are in ninth place with three wins and two draws from their eleven games. However, Sterngard is positive about the campaign.
“We think we will have better form after the Olympic break. Until then, we have a few hard games against top teams (Rosengård, Kristianstad, Linköping and Hammarby) where Jenna Hellstrom is not allowed to play (due to a red card) that will be hard. We hope to reach a top half position in the table eventually.”
“The Damallsvenskan is always a high standard with entertaining football. However FC Rosengård and BK Häcken are now in their own mini league of two teams as they have a lot of national team players and also big financial resources behind them, admitted Sterngard.
“I hope that the Damallsvenskan can continue to give good entertainment and attract good players, or even be the league where the young talented players want to come and get their playing time and showing themselves and everyone else what they are capable of.”
Follow Swedish women’s football on Impetus each week with @DandalBs detailed round-up of all the news. Every Saturday morning all year round.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our weekly wrap of the goings on in Swedish women’s football with the Olympic squad announcement, the latest round of Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus all the latest transfer news (3/7/21).
Sweden have announced their Olympic squad. Goalkeepers: Jennifer Falk, Hedvig Lindahl. Defenders: Jonna Andersson, Nathalie Björn, Magdalena Eriksson, Hanna Glas, Amanda Ilestedt, Emma Kullberg. Midfield/forwards: Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani, Hanna Bennison, Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig, Sofia Jakobsson, Madelen Janogy, Fridolina Rolfö, Olivia Schough, Caroline Seger. Also named in the squad: Zecira Musovic, Julia Roddar, Anna Anvegård, Rebecka Blomqvist. The Swedes have been drawn in the Games’ ‘Group of Death’ alongside World champions USA plus Australia and New Zealand.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Kristianstad demolished Piteå 6-1 thanks to goals from Anna Welin (2), Alice Nilsson (2), Miranda Nild and Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir. Astrid Larsson gave Piteå the lead but Kristianstad equalised within a minute and became more dominant the longer the match went.
Hammarby saw off Växjö 2-1 with goals from Emilia Larsson and Matilda Vinberg either side of a goal from Elin Nilsson for Växjö – only their third goal this season after ten matches.
In undoubtedly the most important match of the season so far, the top two went head to head. Rosengård extended their lead to eight points at the top – a major step towards taking the title – after a 2-0 win over BK Häcken. Hannah Bennison (54) and Stefanie Sanders (88) were on target. It was an intense and high paced match. However things will now prove to be very interesting after head coach Jonas Eidevall departing to take over as Arsenal head coach in the FAWSL. Renée Slegers, Sweden’s U23 manager and coach of Rosengård’s third tier team steps up to become the new head coach of the senior side.
AIK suffered another defeat, with Eskilstuna United claiming a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Fanny Andersson and Loreta Kullashi.
Vittsjö suffered a surprising 1-0 loss to Djurgården as the result of a long distance free kick from Fanny Lång.
Linköping eased to a 4-1 win over KIF Örebro. Cornelia Kapocs (2), Frida Maanum and Uchenna Grace Kanu were on the scoresheet. Örebro’s goal came via an own goal in stoppage time at the end of the game. It was a fitting farewell from captain Maanum, scoring a nice goal in a clear win. Maanum has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the FAWSL.
Round Ten Fixtures:
Piteå v AIK
Växjö v Eskilstuna United
BK Häcken v Kristianstads
KIF Örebro v Rosengård
Hammarby v Vittsjö
Djurgården v Linköping
ELITETTAN
The battle of the top two ended with a 2-1 win for IK Uppsala away to Morön BK who now drop to third. Marika Bergman Lundin gave Uppsala an early lead which Isabella Matsson doubled after 22 minutes. Morön profited from an own goal at the death but it was too late. Umeå took advantage to jump into second spot, two points behind the leaders after demolishing IFK Norrköping 7-1. Five goals from Henna-Riikka Honkanen, which takes her tally for the season to 13 (seven clear at the top of the goalscoring chart), plus one each from Monica Jusu Bah, Lisa Bjork sealed the win. Irma Cajlakovic got Norrköping’s sole reply. IK Kalmar are two points adrift in fourth after a 3-2 win over struggling Bollstanäs SK. Minnie Asperot, Tabby Tindell and Jenny Stadin earned them the win. Sanna Ohlund and an own goal were responsible for Bollstanäs’ strikes. Älvsjö AIK FF boosted their promotion hopes ahead of next week’s big clash away to Umeå with a 4-0 thrashing of Mallbackens IF Sunne. Alice Bergstrom, Jennie Hallstrom, Alice Ahlberg and Maria Poli were on target.
Latest Results: Sundsvalls DFF 1-0 IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Kalmar 3-2 Bollstanäs SK, Älvsjö AIK FF 4-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK 2-1 Alingsås FC United, Morön BK 1-2 IK Uppsala, IFK Norrköping 1-7 Umeå IK, Jitex Mölndal 2-0 Borgeby FK
This Week’s Fixtures: IK Uppsala v IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK v Älvsjö AIK FF, Alingsås FC United v Sundsvalls DFF, Bollstanäs SK v Lidköpings FK, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Jitex Mölndal, IF Brommapojkarna v Morön BK, Borgeby FK v IFK Norrköping
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Sofia Jakobsson has left Real Madrid after two years. Negotiations broke down, as far as I understand over the size of the contract. Olympique Lyonnais and Bayern Munich have been mentioned as potential new clubs.
Kosovare Asllani has agreed a new contract with Real Madrid. Asllani, a self confessed Madridista, has according to the report been more willing to negotiate salary than Sofia Jakobsson was.
Amanda Ilestedt has left Bayern München after two years. She has several offers from clubs with UEFA Champions League winning potential, according to her agent..
There are unconfirmed reports that Rosengård are persuing Eskilstuna’s 22 year-old star forward Loreta Kullashi. There is also interest from French and Italian clubs, but Rosengård is closest to a deal.
AIK‘s 21 year-old forward Nora Rönnfors, who has scored three goals so far this season, has suffered a torn ACL and won’t play any more this season. A tangible loss for AIK, who has a fairly long injury list even without Rönnfors and they are beginning to get dragged into a dog fight at the bottom.
Växjö have signed Finland forward Adelina Engman, most recently with Montpellier. The 26 year-old has 74 caps for her country and has previously played for Göteborg and Chelsea. She will replace Danish forward, Signe Holt Andersen, their leading 2020 goal scorer who has announced on her Instagram page that she has left the club
Linköping‘s Elin Landström will leave the club at the summer break. The 29 year-old wingback will leave for a club in a foreign league.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs updates us with this week’s news from around the Swedish women’s game. There’s the latest Damallsvenskan and Elitettan action plus all the latest movements and speculation ahead of the transfer window opening (26/6/21).
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
After the international break, action resumed with crowds still capped at 500 due to coronavirus restrictions.
The bottom two in the league met as Växjö hosted Djurgården and the outcome was a 0-0 draw to the frustration of 124 fans. It was a disappointing result mostly for Växjö, who have only scored two goals all season and earned just three points from nine matches. Djurgården’s point sees them move up a place above Piteå.
BK Häcken took advantage of AIK missing nine regular players to crush the Solna based side 10-0. Stina Blackstenius grabbed a hat-trick, Milica Mijatovic (pictured at the top of the page, photo: BK Häcken) got a brace with Anna Julia Csiki, Lotta Ökvist, Elin Rubensson, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd and Dilya Yr Zomers scoring the others. The 208 gathered fans went home ecstatic.
Piteå suffered a 3-0 defeat to Hammarby in front of 329 fans. Madelen Janogy (2) and Nina Jakobsson, both of whom were part of the Piteå team who won championship medals from 2018, were on the score sheet.
KIF Örebro went down 2-0 at home to Kristianstad after goals from Svendis Jane Jonsdottir and Therese Åsland in front of a crowd of 373. The result is Örebro’s third straight defeat. The game was also notable for a dramatic thunderstorm with lightning which made the teams leave the pitch very abruptly.
Eskilstuna United took the points against Linköping thanks to a goal from Loreta Kullashi just after the hour mark in front of 500 spectators.
Two goals in the opening 18 minutes from Olivia Schough put leaders Rosengård in charge against Vittsjö. Australian international Emily Gielnik gave the visitors hope when she got a goal back just after half-time, but Sanne Troelsgaard hit a third for the hosts with a quarter of an hour to go to the delight of the 400 fans.
Round Ten Fixtures:
Hammarby v Växjö
Kristianstads v Piteå
Rosengård v BK Häcken
AIK v Eskilstuna United
Vittsjö v Djurgården
Linköping v KIF Örebro
ELITETTAN
The game between Älvsjö AIK FF and IF Brommapojkarna was played last weekend whilst everyone else had a break. Älvsjö’s 2-1 loss sees them drop to fifth and it was one of a series of score lines that have changed the top of the table significantly. Umeå IK slipped out of the top two for the first time all season after a 2-1 loss to Morön BK who have rocketed up the league in recent weeks and are now in second spot on goal difference from IK Uppsala who have a game in hand. Morön took the honours thanks to two goals in the final six minutes after they went behind to a first half strike from Henna-Riikka Honkanen. Wilma Stenman and Arianna Veland sealed the win for Morön. IK Uppsala’s scheduled game at Sundsvalls DFF has been rearranged to 18th August. IK Kalmar moved up to fourth after seeing off Borgeby FK 2-1. Two goals from Tabby Tindall put Kalmar in front. Sophie Sundqvist got a goal back with just under 20 minutes to go.
Latest Results: Älvsjö AIK FF 2-1, IF Brommapojkarna, Lidköpings FK 2-3 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK 2-1 Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar 2-1 Borgeby FK, IFK Norrköping 4-0 Bollstanäs SK, Jitex Mölndal 2-2 Alingsås FC United, Sundsvalls DFF P-P IK Uppsala.
This Week’s Fixtures: Sundsvalls DFF v IF Brommapojkarna, IFK Kalmar v Bollstanäs SK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Lidköpings FK v Alingsås FC United, Morön BK v IK Uppsala, IFK Norrköping v Umeå IK, Jitex Mölndal v Borgeby FK
NEWS ROUND-UP:
BK Häcken have further strengthened their squad by signing Danish internationals Stine Larsen and Mille Gejl Jensen on 18 month deals. Striker Larsen arrives from FAWSL side Aston Villa. It had been rumoured that she was due to sign for AC Milan but failed a medical. Jensen joined from Brøndby.
Michelle De Jongh is back at Vittsjö after her half season loan stint with FC Fleury 91 in D1 Arkema. It appears that she will have to wait for the transfer window to open 15 July before she can play.
Kristianstad‘s talented youngster Evelina Duljan, who was on loan to Växjö earlier in the season, has decided to take a break from football. The star has been playing Damallsvenskan since she was 14 and was called up for Sweden’s U18 only a few days ago.
AIK‘s Honoka Hayashi has been named as one of four reserves for Japan’s Olympic squad. All 22 players will be in an Olympic bubble starting now, which means Hayashi will miss AIK’s next three matches.
Norwegian star Frida Maanum has announced she is leaving Linköping after four seasons, but her new club remains unknown.
The Swedish Scene
Above: Caroline Seger, who earned her 215th cap for Sweden against Australia this week – more than any other European footballer. Photo: UEFA
@DandalBs highlights all of the week’s news from Sweden (19/6/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Sweden drew 0-0 against Australia in Kalmar in a match which marked Caroline Seger’s 215th cap – a record for any European footballer man or woman. Sweden’s starting line-up and tactics will almost certainly not be the ones that they will employ against the Matildas in the Olympics. “You don’t want to give away too much” said striker Kosovare Asllani.
Sam Kerr came closest to scoring when she crashed a fierce effort against the bar from the left hand side of the box midway through the second half. Sweden had the better of the territory and possession of the first half but couldn’t get past an inspired Teagan Micah who was on debut for Australia in goal.
Chelsea captain Magdelena Eriksson left the pitch in the first half with Magdalena a bag of ice around her left calf. Team doctor Mats Börjesson insists that it won’t prevent her from playing at the Olympics.
Ben Gilby’s analysis of the game from a Matildas perspective can be read by clicking here
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The Damallsvenskan took a week’s break due to the international window. Action begins again this weekend.
Round Nine Fixtures:
Växjö v Djurgården
Piteå v Hammarby
BK Häcken v AIK
KIF Örebro v Kristianstads
Eskilstuna United v Linköping
Rosengård v Vittsjö
ELITETTAN
Only one game was played last weekend, and it saw Älvsjö AIK FF host IF Brommapojkarna at Älvsjö Idrottsparken. The outcome was a major dent in the home side’s promotion ambitions. Mathilda Johansson Prakt put the visitors ahead after 68 minutes with Maria Poli equalising nine minutes later. Bromma took the points at the death when Sara Eriksson hit the winner for only her side’s third win of the campaign. All other Round Nine games will be played this weekend.
Round Nine Fixtures: Älvsjö AIK FF 2-1, IF Brommapojkarna, Lidköpings FK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v Borgeby FK, IFK Norrköping v Bollstanäs SK, Jitex Mölndal v Alingsås FC United, Sundsvalls DFF v IK Uppsala.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Fridolina Rolfö has agreed to move to a new, as yet undisclosed, club and is looking very much forward to join them. Lyon and Barcelona have been rumoured as her destination, but Rolfö only says that it is very flattering to be mentioned in connection with such clubs.
KIF Örebro‘s star Jenna Hellstrom has been handed a five match suspension as a result of incidents from the match against BK Häcken on 30th May. There was a normal two game ban for accumulated yellows and for a red card offence. The additional three seems to be for cursing the referee. Hellstrom is not pleased with the long suspension, which her club unsuccessfully appealed against, and thinks she’s being victimized for not behaving as expected for a woman.
As discussed in The Swedish Scene over the past month, Rosengård‘s Anna Anvegård, the Damallsvenskan top scorer 2019 and 2020 has now been strongly linked to Everton by the Telegraph Newspaper in England. Another rumoured Everton target, Hanna Bennison, now also has been interest from Bayern Munich. Rosengård’s sporting director, Therese Sjögran has previously stated that when Bennison goes, “she won’t go for just a million (kroner – approx £100,000). Bennison has a year and a half left on her contract.
Gaëlle Enganamouit, formerly a player at Eskilstuna United and Rosengård has just been announced as the new head coach of Cameroon.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs returns with all the latest news from within the Swedish game – we have stories from the International camp as well as our regular Damallsvenskan and Elitettan round-ups plus more transfer and injury news (12/6/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Sweden coach Peter Gerhardsson called up 25 players for Sweden’s friendlies against Norway (last Thursday) and Australia (next Tuesday). There were no surprises in the selection. Very few, if any, who are not named will be on the 18+4 Olympic roster. Nathalie Björn and Emma Berglund were recalled to the national team for the first time since 2017. Among the other players selected were Hedvig Lindahl, Magda Eriksson, Kosovare Aslani, Fridolina Rolfö and BK Häcken’s in form striker Stina Blackstenius.
One player who missed the Norway game on 10th June was forward Lina Hurtig due to “family reasons”. It is still unclear if she will be available for selection for the game against Australia match on 15th June too. Mimmi Larsson was been called up as a replacement.
The Norway match resulted in a 1-0 win for Sweden in front of 500 fans in Kalmar. The match saw Caroline Seger’s record-equalling 214th appearance for her country. In form striker, Stina Blackstenius finished off a good Swedish attack.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
This was the first set of matches this season where fans were allowed into stadiums as coronavirus restrictions were lifted slightly across the country.
The first game to be played in front of fans was Linköping’s clash with Hammarby. It had been reported that 200 of the 500 tickets available had been snapped up by travelling Hammarby fans. The match itself ended in a 3-3 draw. Emilia Larsson put the visitors ahead after just four minutes before Sofie Bredgaard levelled just under a quarter of an hour later. A spell of two goals in five minutes either side of the half hour mark saw each side score once more as Emma Jansson re-stored Hammarby’s lead momentarily but Sofie Bredgaard levelled once more. Six minutes into the second half, Nilla Fischer put Linköping ahead for the first time, but just after the hour mark, Matilda Vinberg wrapped it up at 3-3.
Rosengård‘s 100% start to the season stopped at seven wins after they were held 0-0 away to Kristianstad long suite. A tough, physical match took place with few scoring chances. There was also a good display of goalkeeping by both teams’ custodians. There were over 300 people in the stadium.
A somewhat contentious penalty kick just five minutes from time ensured that Vittsjö defeated Växjö 1-0. Fernanda Da Silva scored from the spot. Växjö are usually a strong side defensively, but they are suffering up front, scoring only two goals in eight games. It was to the delight of the 282 fans at Vittsjö.
Djurgården gained a vital 1-0 win over Eskilstuna United thanks to a goal from Daniela Zamora after 35 minutes. This win for Djurgården ended a run of six straight defeats, in front of a crowd of 500 fans.
AIK earned a great 2-0 win over KIF Örebro. Thanks to goals from Honaka Hayashi after nine minutes and Rusul Kafaji’s strike a quarter of an hour later settled the game. Örebro were slightly hard done by, but the Solna based side scored two good goals in front of 382 supporters.
BK Häcken failed to take advantage of Rosengård’s first dropped points of the season when they could only draw 0-0 with Piteå and consequently stay five points behind the league leaders.
Round Nine Fixtures:
Växjö v Djurgården
Piteå v Hammarby
BK Häcken v AIK
KIF Örebro v Kristianstads
Eskilstuna United v Linköping
Rosengård v Vittsjö
ELITETTAN
Round Eight Results: Umeå IK 1-0 Sundsvalls DFF, Borgeby FK 0-0 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Jitex Mölndal 1-0 IFK Kalmar, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-0 Lidköpings FK, Bollstanäs SK 0-1 Morön BK, Alingsås FC United 3-1 IFK Norrköping, IF Brommapojkarna 0-2 IK Uppsala.
The table remains unchanged as the top four all won and are separated by just three points. Leaders IK Uppsala remained two points clear at the top after a 2-0 win over IF Brommapojkarna thanks to two goals from Moa Öhman. Umeå IK saw off Sundsvalls DFF only due to a single goal from Elvira Fjällström. Villemo Dahlqvist’s sixth-minute strike was enough to ensure that Morön BK saw off strugglers Bollstanäs SK. Fourth placed Älvsjö AIK FF remained in the promotion hunt thanks to Marie Segerholm’s goal that ensured victory over Lidköpings FK.
Round Nine Fixtures: Älvsjö AIK FF v IF Brommapojkarna, Lidköpings FK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK v Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar v Borgeby FK, IFK Norrköping v Bollstanäs SK, Jitex Mölndal v Alingsås FC United, Sundsvalls DFF v IK Uppsala.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
German website http://sportsbuzzer.de says that Barcelona is likely to be the destination for Fridolina Rolfö when she leaves VfL Wolfsburg. Rolfö herself denies to that any transfer is completed, but it is expected to go through before the Olympics.
Kristianstad‘s young star Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir, who missed her sides’ last three matches due to a knee injury, played thirty minutes in their 3-1 loss to Hammarby last weekend.
Less positive news surrounds Eskilstuna United‘s Halimatu Ayinde, who was hurt in the match against BK Häcken a fortnight ago. It has been revealed that she suffered a severe ACL and meniscus injury and faces a long spell on the sidelines.
The Swedish transfer window doesn’t open until 15 July, but Vittsjö have already announced the signing of 17 year-old Sweden U17 captain Klara Nyberg from third tier side Själevad.
Eighteen year-old midfield talent Hanna Bennison, who finished high school this week and is only coming off the bench for Rosengård, has started to think about moving clubs. She confirms Everton’s interest, but there are other English and German clubs too. She played an impressive role in Sweden’s 1-0 win over Norway on Thursday. National head coach Peter Gerhardsson was very pleased with her performance against Norway and let her leave the camp to go home for a champagne breakfast and everything that goes with a Swedish high school graduation. “I hope she’ll have as much fun as I had”, Gerhardsson said.
Hammarby‘s Madelene Janogy has been named Damallsvenskan Player of the Month for May.
Rosengård midfield wizard Jelena Čanković, has signed an extension of her contract until 2025. Boss Therese Sjögran is “incredibly happy and proud” over Čanković’s extension.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us his weekly wrap of all the goings on in the Swedish women’s football scene with news from the national team camp, round six of the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan plus the latest transfer speculation (29/5/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Norwegian coronavirus travel restrictions might prevent the Sweden v Norway friendly taking place on 10th June. It will have no impact on Sweden’s home game with Australia.
Sweden and Linköping’s veteran defender Nilla Fischer has announced that she is not available to be selected for her country’s Olympic squad. She and her wife are expecting their second child in July. “It would have been fun to play at another Olympic Games, but this is more important” said Fischer.
She added that this does not necessarily mean that she has played her last national team match. Fischer’s absence from the Olympic team means that both she and Linda Sembrant, who were key central defensive players for Sweden in the 2019 World Cup will be missing from the squad for Tokyo.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Hammarby took the honours in the Stockholm derby with a 3-2 win over Djurgården. Madelen Janogy gave Hammarby the lead on seven minutes, but less than a minute later, Elizabeth Addo grabbed a dramatic equaliser. Just after the break, Emma Jansson put Hammarby back ahead but Hayley Dowd levelled matters. With eight minutes left, Jansson struck her second to seal the points.
BK Häcken repeated their recent victory over Eskilstuna United with a 3-0 success in the Damallsvenskan. Jojanna Rytting Kaneryd’s strike and two own goals were the difference. If the defeat was not bad enough for Eskilstuna, their key midfielder Halimatu Ayinde was stretchered off the pitch 10 minutes into the 2nd half with worrying looking knee injury. Häcken also suffered injury concerns when their international forward Pauline Hammarlund suffered a knee injury which has now been confirmed as an ACL tear.
Örebro demolished Växjö 4-1 and the game was realistically all over just after the half hour mark as goals from Jenna Hellstrom and Karin Lundin (2) set the home side on their way. Emmi Alanen’s effort with twenty five minutes to go was wiped out when Dessislava Dupuy grabbed Örebro’s fourth.
AIK won another unexpected point when they gained an impressive 1-1 draw at Kristianstad Amanda Edgren put the home side ahead with Nora Rönnfors levelling within three minutes. Good goalkeeping from Milla-Maj Majasaari played a big role for AIK in earning a point.
Rosengård recorded their sixth win in six games this season with a 1-0 success over Piteå. Caroline Seger scored the only goal. Good goalkeeping from Piteå’s Guro Pettersen, including saving a penalty-kick, kept the score down. Rosengård are now five points clear of second placed BK Häcken.
Finally, Linköping drew 0-0 with Vittsjö.
Round Seven Fixtures:
Växjö v Linköping
AIK v Rosengård
Hammarby v Kristianstads
Eskilstuna United v Vittsjö
Piteå v Djurgården
Örebro v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN
The battle of the top two produced a quite incredible outcome. Second placed Umeå IK pulled off a stunning 4-0 thrashing of IK Uppsala. Umeå were on the front foot from the very start and Pink Herreros Ossorio put them ahead after just three minutes. The home side’s dominance was further asserted when Henna-Riikka Honkanen made it 2-0 20 minutes later. Just after the break, the Finnish striker grabbed her second with Olivia Holm completing the rout with 23 minutes to go. The result puts Umeå top of the table on goal difference. Equally delighted by the result were Älvsjö AIK FF whose 1-0 win over IFK Norrköping meant that they are now only a single point behind the top two. The side from just outside Stockholm, who only avoided relegation from the Elitettan on the final day of last season have made a glorious start. Victoria Heikfolk scored their winner directly from a corner with 69 minutes played. Near the bottom, Borgeby FK put in a great effort in their game with Alingsås FC United in their bid to win their first match of the season. Tilde Olsson gave Borgeby an early lead before three rapid fire goals in six minutes from Olivia Sultan, Alma Öberg and Felicia De Feo put Alingsås in the driving seat. Taylor Townsend and another from Sultan made it 5-1 – but then Borgeby mounted a comeback as Rebecka Persson and Nova Karlsson both scored in less than sixty seconds of each other. With a quarter of an hour left, things got dramatic before Alingsås ended up 5-3 winners.
Round Six Results: Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-0 IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK 4-0 IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-0 IFK Norrköping, Borgeby FK 3-5 Alingsås FC United, IF Brommapojkarna 1-1 Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal 2-1 Bollstanäs SK, Morön BK 3-0 Sundsvalls DFF.
Round Seven Fixtures: Lidköpings FK v Jitex Mölndal, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Umeå IK, Sundsvalls DFF v Älvsjö AIK FF, Bollstanäs SK v Alingsås FC United, IK Uppsala v Borgeby FK, IFK Norrköping v Morön BK, IFK Kalmar v IF Brommapojkarna.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
There are unconfirmed reports that Kosovare Asllani’s agent Arash Bayat is in Italy to negotiate personal terms with Juventus. Bayat comments that “it’s yet too early to make any comments.”
A couple of weeks ago we reported that Barclays FA Womens’ Super League side Everton had been linked with Rosengård’s young national team players Hanna Bennison, Nathalie Björn and Anna Anvegård. There are now unconfirmed reports that Manchester City are also showing interest in some of the trio. Rosengård boss Therese Sjögran doesn’t want to comment as long as there are no bids. It could be noted that none of these players have made more than minor contributions to Rosengård’s successful season opening. Björn and Anvegård, just coming back from injury, have only had a few minutes of action and Bennison is a regular second half substitute.
Therese Sjögran’s FC Rosengård: Aiming For The Top Again
Ben Gilby spoke to FC Rosengård Sporting Director Therese Sjögran, who is Sweden’s most capped international footballer about the club’s Champions League campaign and aims for the 2021 Damallsvenskan campaign (27/5/21).
FC Rosengård have a long and distinguished history as Therese explains.
“The club were formed in 1970 as Malmö FF Dam and remained under that name until 2007 when they became LdB FC Malmö. A final change came in 2013 when we became FC Rosengård. In the 50 or so years we have been playing, we have spent 35 in the top division. In that time we have won the top tier 11 times and finished as runners-up on a further 13 occasions.”
“Other than Covid, where it’s been tough as it has been for clubs all over the world, I think we have had a couple of good years. 2019 we won the league and 2020/2021 we played in the Champions League again, which is very important for the club.”
I asked Therese how particularly Covid had hit FC Rosengård. “We have lost a lot of money due to no people being allowed at our games. Additionally, sponsors have withdrawn their support. We really hope 2021 will be better and I think it will be when everyone gets the vaccine.”
On the positive side of the ledger in recent weeks, the club reached the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League, going down to Bayern Munich. I wondered how Therese reviewed their European experience this season.
“We are always disappointed when we lose, but we lost to a very good Bayern Munich. I think they haven’t lost in 25 games, so they played with a lot of self-confidence. But I’m proud of the team, we fought well and now we also know what we have to work on to be the best in Sweden and continue our progress.”
Whilst Sweden is not able to match the financial efforts of leagues such as England, Therese is still positive about how the Damallsvenskan clubs that do qualify for Europe can continue to compete towards the final stages of the competition.
“We still have a great culture in football in Sweden. Even though we can’t pay the highest salaries, we still have the environment to produce great players. We need to invest in our youth and I’m sure that we can compete at European level.
Looking to the new season, Therese outlined their recruitment plans for 2021 and specifically what made them so determined to bring in Charli Grant from Adelaide United.
“We lost a lot of players for this season but I think we brought in more quality. Our latest signing, Charlotte Grant, is very interesting. A young player with great physique who is very loyal to the game plan, so I think we have a better team this year.”
The standard of the team that FC Rosengård have put together is reflected in their aims for the new campaign. “We want to win everything we compete in,” explained Therese, “so being the number one club in Sweden is our goal. It won’t be easy though, the quality of the Damallsvenskan this season is better. There are more teams that have proven themselves to be able to beat the top teams. There is no easy game anymore, so if we want to win, we need to perform every game.”
The Swedish Scene
@Dandals brings us our weekly wrap of all the news in the Swedish women’s game. This week, there’s news from the national camp, the latest round-up of action from the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan plus transfer news. With additional reporting by Ben Gilby (22/5/21).
Sweden have announced a friendly against Australia in June at Kalmar’s Guldfågeln Arena on 15th June, writes Ben Gilby. The match will have added interest after the two nations were drawn together in the same group for the Olympics which will take place around three weeks later. Additionally, the new Matildas head coach is Tony Gustavsson, a big name in Swedish women’s football.
Speaking about the news, Sweden’s head coach Peter Gerhardsson said: “We have been in long-running dialogue with Australia about this match for a long time and even before the Olympic group stage was drawn, it was largely clear that we would be playing each other in June. Australia are a very good opposition to face at this stage of our build-up to the Olympics and after the draw we both continued to agree to play the match in Kalmar. Now it feels good that it is formally ready.”
Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson placed real importance on the friendly: “Since learning of our opponents for the games, we quickly shifted our attention to ensuring that we were best equipped for the matches ahead. We had lots of insights from our games in April against Germany and the Netherlands. Ranked fifth in the world, in Sweden, we will have another top team that will challenge us with a different style and tactical set-up.”
The two sides last met at the 2017 Algarve Cup when Sweden claimed a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Charlotta Schelin.
***********************************************************************************************
Juventus reports that national team defender Linda Sembrant suffered a knee injury in training at the end of last week. She has suffered damage to her cruciate ligament and meniscus which requires surgery. The national team doctor Houman Ebrahimi has been in touch with Juventus medical team and has confirmed that she will not be available for the Olympics
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Vittsjö GIK were dominant against AIK and earned a 4-0 win the process. Clara Markstedt put them ahead on 24 minutes and added a second just before half-time. In between an own goal pushed out the lead to 3-0. Australian international Emily Gielnik completed the rout with a quarter of an hour left.
Rosengård made it five wins from five to stay top after a 1-0 win over Växjö thanks to an early goal from Olivia Schough.
Piteå suffered a double blow in their game against Örebro. First, they lost 2-0 after goals from Wilma Öhman and an own goal. If this wasn’t bad enough, they also lost star forward Anam Imo on 65 minutes with a foot injury.
BK Häcken returned to winning ways after what eventually turned into a comfortable 4-1 win over Djurgården. Sara Olai gave the Stockholm based side the lead before Häcken hit back on the hour mark with a strike from Pauline Hammarlund. Julia Zigioti Olme then put Häcken just two minutes later before two further goals in the last nine minutes from Stina Blackstenius, who was involved in all her teams’ goals, completed the rout.
Eskilstuna United and Hammarby played out a 1-1 draw. Emilia Larsson put Hammarby ahead after just 15 minutes and looked to have ensured the Stockholm side the win. However, four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the second half, a header from Vaila Barsley earned a point for Eskilstuna.
Linköping were held to a 1-1 draw by injury hit Kristianstad. Linköping were on top for much of the game and took the lead after 38 minutes thanks to Frida Maanum. Jutte Rantala levelled on 55 minutes.
Round Six Fixtures:
Hammarby v Djurgården
BK Häcken v Eskilstuna United
KIF Örebro v Växjö
Kristianstad v AIK
Linköping v Vittsjö GIK
Rosengård v Piteå IF
ELITETTAN:
IK Uppsala moved three points clear at the top with a 3-1 win over Mallbackens IF Sunne despite going a goal behind to Svea Renberg’s strike. Agnes Nyborg (2) and Beata Olsson hit back for Uppsala. Umeå IK lost further ground in second after only being able to draw 1-1 against an Alingsås FC United side who are just above the drop zone. The top two meet each other this weekend in what will be a huge clash. We’ll have extended coverage of the game in next week’s Swedish Scene. Älvsjö AIK FF remain third, four points behind Uppsala after a 0-0 draw with mid table IFK Kalmar. At the bottom, Bollstanäs SK earned their first win of the season, 4-2 against winless Borgeby FK.
Round Five Fixtures: IFK Norrköping 1-1 IF Brommapojkarna, Alingsås FC United 0-0 Umeå IK, IFK Kalmar 0-0 Älvsjö AIK FF,IK Uppsala 3-1 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK 2-1 Jitex Mölndal, Sundsvalls DFF 0-1 Lidköpings FK, Bollstanäs SK 4-2 Borgeby FK.
Round Six Fixtures: Mallbackens IF Sunne v IFK Kalmar, Umeå IK v IK Uppsala, Älvsjö AIK FF v IFK Norrköping, Borgeby FK v Alingsås FC United, IF Brommapojkarna v Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal v Bollstanäs SK, Morön BK v Sundsvalls DFF.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
National team forward Fridolina Rolfö who is presently at VfL Wolfsburg, has been linked by French sporting newspaper L´Equipe to be an imminent signing for Olympique Lyonnais.
FAWSL side Everton are supposed to have shown interest in Rosengård players Nathalie Björn (24) and Hanna Bennison (18). Rosengård’s Sporting Director Therese Sjögran says the club has no received any bids for the players, who are both under contract.
BK Häcken has signed a co-operation deal with Elitettan club Lidköping FK, making it possible to loan players between the clubs. First to benefit from the arrangement is Häcken’s 19 year-old forward Evelyn Ijeh.
The Swedish Scene
The latest column from @DandalBs, sees a focus on the Swedish Cup Final, the fourth round of Damallsvenskan and Elitettan and more transfer news (15/5/21).
SWEDISH CUP FINAL:
BK Häcken took on Eskilstuna United in this year’s Swedish Cup final on Thursday. Going into the game, Eskilstuna were playing in their first ever Cup Final while Häcken’s previous incarnation Kopparbergs/Göteborg played in three, against Tyresö (2011 and 2012) and Kristianstad (2019) and won them all. The even earlier incarnation Kopparbergs/Landvetter lost the 2002 final to Umeå.
In the end, it was a comprehensive win for BK Häcken. Eskilstuna’s defensive set up worked well for the first half, but the second half was a totally different story as Häcken completely dominated. Eleven minutes into the second period, Filippa Angeldahl put the Gothenburg based side ahead. An outstanding second goal from Stina Blackstenius with 20 minutes left ensured that she ends the competition as the joint top scorer with Hammarby’s Emilia Larsson. Pauline Hammarlund completed the scoring after 87 minutes.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Kristianstad earned an impressive 1-0 win over Vittsjö thanks to a goal from Amanda Edgren. The result puts Kristianstad up to second place, just two points behind leaders FC Rosengård.
AIK’s positive start to the campaign continued after Rosa Kafaji scored a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw in their Stockholm derby at home to Hammarby. Nora Rönnfors scored the Solna based side’s other goal. Eva Nyström and Madelen Janogy were on target for Hammarby. It was a lively match that the visitors will be frustrated not to have won.
BK Häcken have slipped to third after a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Linköping. Uchenna Kanu scored the only goal after she finished a great move when Maanum played in Simonsson who back-heeled a pass to Kanu who scored.
Piteå returned from their enforced break due to a coronavirus outbreak to grab their first win of the season as they beat Växjö 1-0 thanks to a goal from Anam Imo.
Rosengård stay top and are the only team to have won all four games after they saw off Djurgården 3-0. Sanne Troelsgaard and two goals from Jelena Čanković, the first of which was an outstanding free kick. Rosengård are looking more and more confident.
KIF Örebro drew 1-1 with Eskilstuna United. Örebro 1-1 Eskilstuna. Jenna Hellstrom was on target for the hosts with Fanny Andersson finding the net for Eskilstuna.
Linköping took the spoils in a seven goal thriller against Piteå in the rearranged game between the two sides after the original game was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak in the Piteå camp. The game looked to be won with just over half an hour played as Linköping built a 4-0 lead. Cornelia Kapocs and Uchenna Kanu both scored twice in the period. Maja Green got a goal back for Piteå in first half stoppage time. Anam Ino got another goal back for Piteå with 19 minutes left. The visitors got a late third goal to throw some doubts into the minds of Linköping when Guro Petterson scored with a free-kick, but they couldn’t quite get a fourth to earn a point.
Note – this table does not reflect Linköping’s 4-3 win over Piteå played on Thursday.
Round Five Fixtures:
Vittsjö GIK v AIK
Växjö v Rosengård
Piteå IF v KIF Örebro
Djurgårdens v BK Häcken
Eskilstuna United v Hammarby
Linköping v Kristianstad
ELITETTAN:
IK Uppsala couldn’t fully take advantage of Umeå IK not being in action as they could only draw 1-1 in their game with third placed Älvsjö AIK FF. Beata Olsson gave Uppsala the lead just gone the half hour mark before Linn Bogren levelled on 58 minutes. The top of the table is now very tight with the top three only separated by two points. Umeå IK’s game in hand will be at home to winless Borgeby FK. At the bottom, Lidköpings FK gained their first win of the season after seeing off Morön BK 2-1. Sundsvalls DFF and Bollstanäs SK are still looking for their first wins of the campaign.
Round Four Results: Borgeby FK v Umeå IK POSTPONED, IF Brommapojkarna 5-1 Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF 0-5 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United 1-0 IFK Kalmar, Lidköpings FK 2-1 Morön BK, Jitex Mölndal 0-3 IFK Norrköping, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-1 IK Uppsala.
Round Five Fixtures: IFK Norrköping v IF Brommapojkarna, Alingsås FC United v Umeå IK, IK Uppsala v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Morön BK v Jitex Mölndal, Sundsvalls DFF v Lidköpings FK, Bollstanäs SK v Borgeby FK.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Eskilstuna United have signed former KIF Örebro keeper Mimmi Paulsson-Febo, as the second back-up to Emma Holmgren and Emelie Lundberg.
Frida Manum of Linköping has set her sights on a move to England and Spain. She has said she hopes that Linköping get a transfer fee for her when she leaves after the club developed her since the age of 18.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us his weekly wrap of all the news from the latest round of matches in the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan plus a round-up of stories connected to the Swedish national team this week (8/5/21).
NATIONAL TEAM:
Sweden have been drawn with Finland, Ireland, Slovakia and Georgia in the qualifying group for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. These group matches will be played between September 2021 and September 2022. With the top placed team automatically qualifying for Australia and New Zealand and the second placed side going into play-offs, Sweden’s biggest threat will probably come from Finland, although the Finns have won only one of the 37 games between the two sides and that came in 1976.
Sweden’s qualifying fixtures: 17th Sept: Slovakia (a), 21st Sept: Georgia (h), 21st Oct Ireland (a), 25th Nov: Finland (h), 30th Nov: Slovakia (h), 7th Apr 2022: Georgia (a), 12th Apr: Ireland (h), 6th Sept: Finland (a).
In other national team news, the legendary Victoria Sandell, better known under her maiden name Victoria Svensson, has been hired as assistant coach for the Swedish women’s national team, with a focus on individual coaching. Sandell won 166 caps for the Swedish national team between 1996 and 2009 and scored 68 goals .
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Växjö are still looking for their first win of the season after a 1-0 reversal at home to unbeaten Kristianstad. The only goal came from Anna Welin after twelve minutes. To make matters worse for Kristianstad, their young star Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir was stretchered off in the 40th minute with what originally looked a like a knee injury, but has been subsequently diagnosed as a minor injury to the patella with a much shorter rehab period than feared. Jónsdóttir also just been voted Damallsvenskan Player of the Month for April.
Hammarby gained their first win of the season in some style with a 5-0 demolition of KIF Örebro. The match was decided with three goals in six minutes mid-way through the second half. As Madelen Janogly set-up goals for Hanna Folkesson and Emilia Larsson with Emma Jansson rapidly making it 3-0. In the final thirteen minutes, Janogly got the goal that her efforts deserved and Elsa Karlsson completed the scoring with four minutes left.
Rosengård extended their 100% start to the season with a 2-0 win at Eskilstuna United. The two goals came within sixty seconds of each other. Minnie Larsson put the Champions League Quarter-Finalists ahead with Olivia Schough rapidly doubling the lead. Australian readers will be interested to hear that Charli Grant made her first appearance for Rosengård when she came on in the closing stages. Her team are now two points clear at the top of the table.
The big Stockholm derby saw Djurgården go down to a 2-1 loss at home to newly promoted AIK. Hayley Dowd gave the hosts the lead just before the break, but it was the visitors who pushed on in the second half. Honoka Hayashi levelled after 57 minutes and then sealed the victory from the penalty spot with 11 minutes left. The win puts AIK, one of the favourites for relegation pre-season, into fourth place.
Vittsjö gained an impressive 1-1 draw with BK Häcken. Stina Blackstenius continued her rich vein of goal scoring form when she gave Häcken the lead after four minutes. Twenty minutes later Mie Leth Jans grabbed the equaliser.
Linköping’s home game with Piteå was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak at the visiting club. As Piteå have not had any additional cases diagnosed, the game has been rearranged for 13th May.
Round Four Fixtures:
Kristianstads v Vittsjö GIK
AIK v Hammarby
BK Häcken v Linköping
Piteå IF v Växjö
KIF Örebro v Eskilstuna United
Rosengård v Djurgårdens
ELITETTAN:
Umeå IK and IK Uppsala remain unbeaten and at the top of the table. Umeå IK demolished Jitex Mölndal 5-0. IK Uppsala also gained a huge boost to their goal difference after seeing off Bollstanäs SK 6-1. Älvsjö AIK FF continued their impressive unbeaten start with a 1-1 at Morön BK. At the bottom, Lidköpings FK and Bollstanäs SK are still looking for their first wins of the campaign. As well as leading the league table, Umeå IK also have two players at the top of the goal scoring charts with Lisa Björk (4) and Henna-Riikke Honkanen (3) riding high.
Round Three Results: Borgeby FK v IF Brommapojkarna: POSTPONED, Morön BK 1-1 Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-0 Alingsås FC United, IFK Norrköping 1-0 Sundsvalls DFF, Umeå IK 5-0 Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar 3-0 Lidköpings FK, IK Uppsala 6-1 Bollstanäs SK.
Round Four Fixtures: Borgeby FK v Umeå IK POSTPONED, IF Brommapojkarna v Bollstanäs SK, Sundsvalls DFF v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Alingsås FC United v IFK Kalmar, Lidköpings FK v Morön BK, Jitex Mölndal v IFK Norrköping, Älvsjö AIK FF v IK Uppsala.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the goings on in the Swedish women’s game. This time we round-up all the latest action in the Damallsvensan and Elitettan in addition to the news around the game (29/4/21).
NEWS ROUND-UP:
At least five Piteå players have tested positive for coronavirus after their defeat to Eskilstuna United last weekend. The club has closed down all group training amidst the first major covid outbreak in the Damallsvenskan. The club’s planned game at Linköping this coming Sunday has been postponed as a consequence as a result. No new date for the match has been set as yet.
UEFA’s announcement that the Women’s Champions League will, from next season consist of a 16 team group stage before reverting to a knock-out over two legs, coming with a major increase in prize money is a massive boost to clubs in Sweden. The teams qualifying for the group stage are guaranteed a minimum of 400,000 Euros each – a figure which is almost half of some Damallsvenskan team’s annual budgets.
Rosengård right back Jessica Wik is pregnant with the baby due in October and will not play any more matches this season.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
Round Two opened with a second straight win for BK Häcken who produced another dominant performance in beating Växjö 2-0. The goals came from Pauline Hammerlund and Stina Blackstenius. The Gothenburg based side created many chances to add to their tally but had to settle for just the two goals.
Rosengård also recorded a second success after a 3-1 win over Hammarby. Olivia Schough grabbed a brace with Jelena Cancovic adding the other. Hanna Folkesson was on target for the Stockholm side who are one of only two sides to have lost their opening two games.
Kristianstad gained an important 2-1 win over Djurgården, earning their first three points of the season as a consequence. Mia Carlsson scored first before a cheeky goal from VfL Wolfsburg loanee Sveindis Jónsdóttir sealed the win. This was Jónsdóttir’s second goal in two games. Nellie Lilja scored for Djurgården.
KIF Örebro gained a fantastic 1-0 win at home to Vittsjö despite the visitors having more of the game. The deciding goal came when Jenna Hellstrom broke through with great pace to play in Karin Lundin. This is KIF Örebro’s first win of the campaign.
AIK were slightly unfortunate in going down 2-1 at home to Linköping. Both goals for the visitors came from long shots from distance deflecting off defenders on their way in. Jenny Danielsson was on target for AIK with Uchenna Kanu and Frida Maanum profiting for Linköping.
Piteå fell to the bottom of the table and remain winless after a 2-0 defeat to Eskilstuna United. Fanny Andersson and Loreta Kullashi scored the goals.
Round Three Fixtures:
Växjö v Kristianstads
Hammarby v KIF Örebro
Linköping v Piteå IF POSTPONED
Eskilstuna United v Rosengård
Djurgårdens v AIK
Vittsjö GIK v BK Häcken
ELITETTAN:
There are three teams remaining unbeaten after the first two rounds of games with Umeå IK top of the table on goal difference after scoring eight goals in their opening two matches with Lisa Björk scoring four of them to stand top of the goal scoring charts. Borgeby’s Nova Karlsson stands second in the list with three goals in two games despite her team still looking for their first win of the campaign. Just behind Umeå IK in the Elitettan table, also with two wins from two games are IK Uppsala with Älvsjö AIK FF, who narrowly avoided relegation last season third. Ellinor Johanson is in particularly fine form for Älvsjö in these early stages of the season.
Round Two Results: IF Brommpojkarna 0-1 Umeå IK, Älvsjö AIK FF 1-0 Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United 0-1 IK Uppsala, Bollstanäs SK 1-3 Mallbackens IF Sunne, Sundsvalls DFF 1-1 Borgeby FK, IFK Kalmar 1-0 Morön BK, Lidköpings FK v IFK Norrköping POSTPONED.
Round Three Fixtures:
Borgeby FK v IF Brommapojkarna, Morön BK v Älvsjö AIK FF, Mallbackens IF Sunne v Alingsås FC United, IFK Norrköping v Sundsvalls DFF, Umeå IK v Jitex Mölndal, IFK Kalmar v Lidköpings FK, IK Uppsala v Bollstanäs SK.
For one week only, due to Impetus supporting the social media boycott in solidarity with women’s and men’s sport across the UK, the Swedish column is published on a Thursday. From next week, it return to its regular Saturday morning slot.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our regular Saturday round-up of the Swedish women’s football scene which this week saw the new Damallsvenskan and Elitettan seasons get underway (24/4/21).
NATIONAL TEAM:
This week’s draw for the group stages of the Olympic Games saw Sweden placed in arguably one of the biggest groups of death of all time. In the toughest draw for all teams concerned, Sweden will face the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The Swedes will start their Tokyo campaign against the USA before a potential qualification decider against the Matildas and end the group stage against the Football Ferns.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The season got underway last weekend. The opening game ended with a 1-0 win for Djurgården at home to KIF Örebro, with Sara Olai scoring the winning goal. Djurgården are expected to be battling to avoid relegation to the Elitettan so this was an excellent win.
Newly promoted AIK, tipped my many for instant relegation opened their Damallsvenskan campaign with a hugely creditable 1-1 draw away to Växjö. Emmi Alanen scored from the spot for Växjö with Nora Rönnfors on target for AIK.
The other new team in the Damallsvenskan this season, Hammarby suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to BK Häcken. The visitors were hugely dominant throughout the game but only managed a single goal victory. That was an own goal from June Pedersen after just four minutes when she unfortunately headed Anna Csiki’s corner into her own net.
Vittsjö got off to a positive start with a 2-1 win at home to Piteå. Australian international Emily Gielnik continued her outstanding form in front of goal with Vittsjö’s opener with Ellen Löfqvist netting for the visitors. Former Piteå, player Fernanda da Silva grabbed the winner for the hosts.
Eskilstuna United brought their good pre-season and Swedish Cup form into the new league campaign and earned a great 1-1 draw at home to Kristianstad. Eskilstuna narrowly avoided relegation last season and they profited from Felicia Rogic’s goal. Kristianstad, who played UEFA Women’s Champions League football this season grabbed the draw thanks to Sveindis Jane Jónsdóttir’s strike.
In one of the round’s most eye catching games, Rosengård left Linköping with a 1-0 win. The visitors had most of the play but couldn’t break through until the very end. In stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes, Stefanie Sanders headed Olivia Schough’s free kick into the net.
Round Two Fixtures:
BK Häcken v Växjö
Rosengård v Hammarby
Kristianstads v Djurgårdens
KIF Örebro v Vittsjö GIK
AIK v Linköping
Piteå IF v Eskilstuna United
ELITETTAN:
Round One Results: Borgeby FK 2-3 Älvsjö AIK FF, IFK Norrköping v IFK Kalmar POSTPONED, IK Uppsala 4-1 Lidköpings FK, Jitex Mölndal 3-0 Sundsvalls DFF, Mallbackens IF Sunne 0-1 IF Brommpojkarna, Morön BK 4-1 Alingsås FC United, Umeå IK FF 7-1 Bollstanäs SK.
Round Two Fixtures: IF Brommpojkarna v Umeå IK, Älvsjö AIK FF v Jitex Mölndal, Alingsås FC United v IK Uppsala, Bollstanäs SK v Mallbackens IF Sunne, Sundsvalls DFF v Borgeby FK, IFK Kalmar v Morön BK, Lidköpings FK v IFK Norrköping.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Rosengård‘s Anna Anvegård, who won the Damallsvenskan Golden Boot winner for the last two seasons, is in concussion rehab and will missed the opening round of fixtures and at least this weekend too.
Växjö forward Violah Nambi suffered a double bone fractures in training on Thursday. The 25 year-old, who was just back after a lengthy knee problem, can expect another long period of rehab.
The Swedish Scene
In our regular Saturday morning round up of the Swedish women’s game, @DandalBs updates us with all the news from the national team’s two games, the big kick off in the leagues and what’s been going on around the clubs (17/4/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Sweden began their two match international series with a promising 1-1 draw against the USA in Solna. A great header from Lina Hurtig gave Sweden the lead. The Swedes played very well the USA’s late equaliser was deserved, it shouldn’t have been from a poor award of a penalty.
A much changed Swedish side managed to earn a 4-2 win in Poland, but had some problems. Two goals by Stina Blackstenius helped Sweden, but early in second half it was 2-2 thanks to Poland’s Wolfsburg forward Iwa Pajor. There were plenty of second half subs and it took Caroline Seger and Lina Hurtig to score the winning goals.
In the last international window before the Olympics, Sweden will have two home games. First they will play Norway on 10th June and a yet undisclosed team on the 15th. Both matches will take place in Kalmar.
DAMALLSVENSKAN:
The season gets underway this weekend with the first round of fixtures scheduled as follows:
Saturday 17th April:
Djurgårdens v KIF Örebro
Växjö v AIK
Sunday 18th April:
Eskilstuna United v Kristianstads
Hammarby v BK Häcken
Linköpings v Rosengård
Vittsjö GIK v Piteå IF
ELITETTAN:
The first round of fixtures in the second tier of the Swedish league for this weekend is:
Saturday 17th April:
Borgeby FK v Älvsjö AIK FF
IFK Norrköping v IFK Kalmar – POSTPONED
IK Uppsala v Lidköpings FK
Jitex Mölndal v Sundsvalls DFF
Sunday 18th April:
Mallbackens IF Sunne v IF Brommpojkarna
Morön BK v Alingsås FC United
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
In the final week of pre-season friendlies ahead of this coming weekend’s Allsvenskan season, all the top tier clubs were without their international players.
AIK suffered a 2-1 loss to Brommapojkarna with Ema Paljevic scoring for the Solna based side. Hammarby drew 1-1 Örebro. Ellen Wangerheim was on target for Hammarby with Jessie Scarpa scoring for the visitors. Kristianstad defeated Kalmar 2-1 thanks to goals from Anna Welin and Ebba Jahnfors. Växjö went down 2-0 to Vittsjö for whom Fernanda de Silva and Mie Leth Jans were on target. Finally, Eskilstuna United lost 2-0 to IFK Norrköping.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Djurgården have announced that their midfielder Malin Diaz is pregnant and will not play during the 2021 season.
Vittsjö‘s 22 year-old midfielder Ebba Wieder has decided to take a break from football for mental health reasons. Wieder played five seasons in the Damallsvenskan for Rosengård before she moved to Vittsjö last season.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs provides us with our weekly round-up of all the news around the Swedish game (10/4/21).
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Sweden have been rocked by the news that goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl will not take part in their friendly matches against USA and Poland over the coming days. There is an outbreak of Covid-19 at her club Atletico Madrid and even if she has not tested positive, she has been exposed to the virus. She was replaced in the squad by Eskilstuna United’s Emma Holmgren.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Eskilstuna United were the first side to qualify for the final after a 4-2 win at Umeå IK FF. It was level pegging, 1-1 at half-time with a goal Rosa Maria Herreros for the hosts and Loreta Kullashi on target for Eskilstuna. The game took a decisive turn in the early stages of the second half when Eskilstuna added further goals from Kaisa Collin and Felicia Rogic (penalty). Whilst Alexandra Sandström’s late goal for Umeå created a period of drama, Fanny Andersson settled Eskilstuna nerves by adding a fourth near the end. Eskilstuna United’s Felicia Rogic said afterwards: "It was pretty tight. We knew it would be this given the game plan and the history we have against Umeå. We actually lost two meetings against them last season. So we're happy with the win."
The second semi-final was extremely hard fought and BK Häcken only saw off Rosengård with a goal from Stina Blackstenius with twelve minutes left. Häcken had the better of the first half, creating six scoring opportunities compared to two from Rosengård who had just two. Häcken came close after sixty-three minutes when Stina Blackstenius got away from the Rosengård defence but Stephanie Labbé in goal dealt with it at the cost of a corner. Blackstenius had better luck fifteen minutes later when she got the ball on the right and she scored. Rosengård were unlucky not to have levelled with five minutes to go but Hanna Bennison was denied by the ball rebounding off of the face of BK Häcken keeper Jennifer Falk.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES
Kristianstad played out a 1-1 draw against Sweden U23. Cornelia Kapocs scored for Sweden with Miranda Nild on target for Kristianstad.
A BK Häcken side missing at least eight players away on international duty went down to a 5-2 loss to Elitettan (second tier)side Alingsås in midweek. Häcken’s goals were scored by Evelyn Ijeh and Elin Rubensson.
Piteå earned a 3-1 win over Elitettan outfit Umeå. Two goals from Cajsa Hedlund and one from Astrid Larsson were the difference.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Rosengård have completed the signing of Charlotte Grant from Adelaide United in the W-League, reports Ben Gilby. The 19 year-old defender played a prominent part in the South Australian side’s best ever season in the competition.
“We are very happy to be able to make this enlistment of Charlotte Grant before the transfer window closed,” the club’s Sports Manager Therese Sjögran told the club website. “She is a young and promising player who will hopefully be part of Australia’s Olympic squad this summer. In Grant, we get a technical defender with incredible physique. She will be able to play in all positions in our back line so she will be a really good addition to the squad.”
Speaking about the move, Grant told the FC Rosengård website: “I am very grateful for this opportunity to play for Rosengård. Playing with all these experienced players is something I’m really looking forward to. Now I just want to go over to Sweden and start the season with my new teammates!”
Adelaide United’s Head of Women’s Football, Ivan Karlović told the Australian club’s website: “Charlotte enjoyed another solid season and we feel now is the perfect time for her to test herself in a very strong competition. Charlotte follows in the footsteps of Dylan Holmes who has also made the move to Sweden and we believe that will have a very positive effect on their development as players and in turn benefit the Club moving forward.”
The nineteen year-old has been with Adelaide United since 2018 and has played 34 times for the club across those four seasons. At the present time, the thinking is that she will return to South Australia in time for the 2021/22 W-League campaign in November.
Another arrival from Australia is Noor Eckhoff, the 21 year-old Norwegian defensive midfielder. She has joined Eskilstuna United from Melbourne City on a two year deal.
Bollstanäs from Eliettan (tier two) have taken AIK youngsters Piyatida Somkumpee and Arsema Weldai on loan until the summer transfer window opens 15 July. In return, the Damallsvenkan newcomers have signed Bollstanäs’ 20 year-old offensive player Ema Paljevic.
Elizabeth Addo, a 27 year-old Ghanaian international midfielder who can also play up front, has joined Djurgården from North Carolina Courage in the NWSL.
Växjö’s Antonia Göransson has retired. Göransson was a member of Sweden’s bronze winning Women’s World Cup team 2011 and won league and cup honours in Germany. She was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in 2016 and has since struggled to return to top flight football.
Vittsjö and Canada goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo will make her first start since her knee injury last summer, today against against Växjö.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our weekly round-up of all the goings on in the Swedish women’s game. There’s news of the latest Swedish national squad announcement, Swedish Cup news ahead of this weekend’s semi-finals, pre-season friendly action and all the final goings on before the transfer window closed (3/4/21).
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
FC Rosengård suffered a 1-0 loss at home in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final tie to Bayern Munich. Lea Schüller scored the only goal after 21 minutes. The Swedes bowed out 4-0 on aggregate.
NATIONAL TEAM NEWS:
Sweden face matches against USA and Poland on 10 and 13 April respectively. Head coach Peter Gerhardsson has named a 25 player squad with the stand out inclusion being the return to the squad of Madelen Janogy.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Group A:
BK Häcken clinched their place in the semi-finals of the competition by comprehensively defeating Linköping 5-2 in the group decider. Häcken’s goalscorers were Zigiotti-Olme (2), Angeldahl (2), Blackstenius. Kanu and Selerud scored for Linköping. Lidkopings FK ended their cup program for this season with a 4-0 loss away to Växjö. Two goals from Woeller plus strikes from, Gotta and Holt Andersen were the difference.
Group B:
FC Rosengård qualified for the semi-finals after a 3-3 with Kristianstad. Sanders, on her debut, plus Troelsgaard, Bennison did the business for the Champions League Quarter-Finalists who built a 3-0 lead after just half an hour. However, two goals from Åsland plus a strike from Rantala ensured a nervy finish. Alingsås FC United went down 1-0 away to Vittsjö GIK due to a goal from Nyström.
Group C:
Eskilstuna United DFF qualified for the semi-finals after drawing 1-1 against KIF Örebro DFF. Lundin’s goal was the ultimate decider for Eskilstuna, with Oskarsson on the mark for Örebro.. Hammarby’s campaign ended with a 7-1 crushing of Sundsvalls DFF. A hat-trick from Larsson (3) plus two from Jakobsson and a goal from Jansson earned the win. Janogy got a consolation for Sundsvall.
Group D:
Umeå IK FF gained a 3-2 win away to Djurgården in the group decider for the semi-final spot after coming from 2-1 down with five minutes left. Honkanen, Mellouk and Sandström scored for Umeå with Arnardottir and van den Bulk initially looking like having won it for Djurgården. IK Uppsala ended their cup campaign with a 4-0 away to Morön BK. Sarah Mellouk and Henna-Riikka Honkanen both scored from the spot in addition to goals from Pink Herreros Ossorio and Monica Jusu Bah.
Semi-Final Draw:
Umeå IK FF host Eskilstuna United today at 1pm local time with BK Häcken at home to Rosengård tomorrow with kick-off at 3:30pm local time.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
AIK have won both matches they’ve played over the past week. Last weekend they defeated Bollstanäs 3-1 win. Goals by Evelina Finndell, Nora Rönnfors and Linda Hallin earned the Solna based side the win. They followed this up on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Kalmar from the second tier Elitettan. Adelisa Grabus and Honoka Hayashi scored the goals.
Örebro defeated Kristianstad 2-1 on Thursday. Hellstrom and Hoff Persson were on target for Örebro. Rantala scored from the penalty spot for Kristianstad.
In a game played at Sundavall yesterday, Djurgården drew 2-2 with Piteå. Linda Motlhalo and Daniela Zamora scored for Djurgården, with Josefin Johansson and an own goal for Piteå.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Hammarby have announced the signing of key Australian international defender Elise Kellond-Knight from Kristianstad. The 30 year-old previously played for the club in 2018 and has signed a three year deal with the Stockholm club. She suffered a serious knee injury early last season and has spent the last nine months in rehab.
Speaking to the club website about her move, Kellond-Knight said: “I am fortunate to once again have the opportunity to play for such a supportive and supported club.”
“I have noticed that Hammarby has integrated the women’s team more into the club and made many positive changes since I was last here. “If we play our cards right, there is no reason why Hammarby should not be able to become a leading club in Damallsvenskan during my time here. I want to be part of the process of helping Hammarby become a team fighting for the league title. As I’ve noticed before, we have the best supporters in the country, so I’d love to see it permeate the whole club.”
“I hope to be back on the pitch before the summer break, but of course that will be up to the staff and especially when the medically responsible decide. Right now I’m in a stage of custom training with the team. But it is not possible to speed up the recovery from an injury like this, and the timing of the comeback will depend on when my body is ready.”
Växjö have pulled off the major signing of the hugely talented Evelina Duljan. Duljan joins the club on loan from Kristianstad on a loan until the summer break for the Olympic Games. Duljan has not been satisfied with the playing time she had got at Kristianstad.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us up to date with the goings on in Swedish women’s football over the past seven days. This week, there’s UEFA Women’s Champions League and Swedish Cup action, plus more significant transfer news. With additional reporting by Ben Gilby (27/3/21).
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:
FC Rosengård came away from their UEFA Women‘s Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg tie away to Bayern Munich with a 3-0 defeat in what was always going to be a tough match. It took Bayern only nine minutes of constant domination to take the lead, thanks to a goal from Linda Dallman. The second goal came just after the Swedes forced a corner, but the Germans launched a counter attack with Lineth Beerensteyn who played in Klara Bühl who easily made it 2-0 after just under half an hour. Beerensteyn completed the scoring with twenty-five minutes to go when she got past Glodis Viggosdottir in the Rosengård defence to slot the ball home by Ben Gilby.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Group A:
Linköpings FC defeated Växjö 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kanu. BK Häcken demolished Lidkopings FK away from home 8-1 with Hammarlund (2), Zigiotti-Olme, Blackstenius (3), Angeldahl and Zomers on the scoresheet.It sets up a group decider between the two winners this weekend.
Group B:
Alingsås FC United were crushed 7-0 at home by FC Rosengård. On the mark were Seger, Schough, Cankovic (2), Brown, Viggosdottir, Larsson. Kristianstads DFF edged out Vittsjö GIK 2-1 thanks to goals from Welin and Rantala with Markstedt getting on the scoresheet for Vittsjö GIK. The loss for Vittsjö means that they are no longer a contender. Kristianstad’s second win in a row ensures that they play Rosengård this weekend to decide who wins the group and goes through to the semi-final.
Group C:
Eskilstuna United DFF gained an impressive 1-0 win over Hammarby to take them to the top of the group table ahead of the final round of group matches. Kullashi scored the decisive goal. That and a stoppage time penalty save from Emma Holmgren saved the day for Eskilstuna. The result condemned Hammarby for a first loss after six straight pre-season wins. Sundsvalls DFF are out of the running for the next stage of the competition after a comprehensive 6-0 loss at home to KIF Örebro DFF. Dupuy, Wickenheiser (2), Lundin (2), Scarpa were on the mark. Eskilstuna United will qualify for the semi-finals if they avoid defeat to KIF Örebro DFF this weekend.
Group D:Umeå IK FF defeated IK Uppsala Football 3-0. Two free-kicks from Koivisto and one from Honkanen was the difference. Morön BK suffered a 5-1 home defeat to Djurgårdens IF FF. Arnadottir, Ekengren, Lindwall, Lång and Olai were all on target. The two winners from last weekend’s matches will face off this weekend to decide the semi-final spot.
NEWS ROUND-UP:
Emily Gielnik, who had an impressive stay with Vittsjö last season, returns to the club. Gielnik has been in outstanding form for Brisbane Roar in Australia’s W-League and there is a transfer fee involved which Brisbane describe as “significant”.
The thirty-one cap Matilda will join her Roar and Matildas team mate Clare Polkinghorne at the club after playing her final game for the Queenslanders this weekend, meaning she will miss their upcoming Finals campaign. Gielnik has been in outstanding form in the W-League this season and, added to the loss of Polkinghorne, will majorly impact Brisbane’s hopes of winning the W-League Grand Final this season.
Speaking to brisbaneroar.com.au about the move, Gielnik said: “I wanted to finish out the season with the Roar and that was my intention, but in terms of what’s best for me, I had no choice but to sign in Sweden so that I didn’t miss that transfer window. It’s just a really unfortunate circumstance.
With regard to the impact of the move of Roar’s Finals hopes, she went on to say: “Everyone is replaceable to some degree. We most definitely have the capabilities within the team.”
Brisbane Roar’s chief executive David Pourre told the club website: “It’s never easy to lose a player of Emily’s quality, but when a situation like this arises we have a responsibility to achieve the best outcome. Financially, this is a strong result for Brisbane Roar. That’s important. Emily’s form over the past few months speaks for itself and we are comfortable with the fee as compensation for enabling this move to happen at a complex time” by Ben Gilby.
FC Rosengård’s midfielder Hanna Bennison has been voted as the best female player on the planet in the NXGN 2021 awards. The 18-year-old has been a regular in the Rosengård midfield since the age of 16, and scored her first Champions League goal in December. She is also a full Sweden international, having made her debut in November 2019 against world champions, the United States. The club have also announced the signing of Stefanie Sanders, a 22 year-old forward from Freiburg in Frauen Bundesliga. Sanders is a proven goal scorer.
Chilean 30 year-old forward Daniela Zamora joins Djurgården, to replace Olivia Schough. Zamora played in Chile’s World Cup campaign and also captained Universidad de Chile on their run to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals.
The Swedish Scene
In our weekly Saturday wrap of all the week’s goings on in the Swedish women’s game, @DandalBs updates us on last weekend’s Swedish Cup action and a plethora of transfer news (20/3/21).
Renée Slegers, who coaches Rosengård‘s second team in the third tier of the game, has been appointed head coach of Sweden U23s.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Hammarby won 3-0 at Örebro thanks to a second half hat trick by Emilia Larsson. Djurgården demolished Uppsala 4-0 thanks to strikes from Dowd, Ekengren, Bloznalis and Motlhalo.
BK Häcken defeated Växjö 1-0 with Rytting Kaneryd scoring the only goal after an even first half. They played their first match in their new shirt. Lidköping went down 3-0 at home to Linköping with Maanum, an own goal and Bredgaard responsible. Alingsås United suffered a 4-0 loss at home to Kristianstad with a brace from Jonsdottir helping them on their way.
Rosengård ran out 3-1 winners at home to Vittsjö. Goals from Cankovic, Schough and Troelsgaard were the difference. GIF Sundsvall lost 3-0 at home to Eskilstuna United. Collin, Rogic and Kullashi were on the scoresheet.
This weekend’s Swedish Cup last sixteen group stage matches this weekend are as follows: Group A: Linköpings FC v Växjö, Lidköpings FK v BK Häcken FF. Group B: Alingsås FC United v FC Rosengård, Kristianstads DFF v Vittsjö GIK. Group C:
Eskilstuna United DFF v Hammarby, Sundsvalls DFF v KIF Örebro DFF. Group D:
Umeå IK FF v IK Uppsala Football, Morön BK v Djurgårdens IF FF.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY NEWS:
AIK suffered a 2-0 loss at home to Piteå with the goals coming from Nordin and Guillou.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
By Ben Gilby: Australian national team midfielder Clare Polkinghorne will join Vittsjö once Brisbane Roar’s regular W-League season comes to an end. It will be a big blow to the club’s hopes of a first Grand Final win in ten years as they will have to play Finals without such a key player. Polkinghorne recently played her 150th game for the Roar and said:
“Obviously the timing of it all is disappointing for me, but it’s an opportunity I need to take to ensure that I’m playing regular football at a high standard throughout the year and preparing in the best possible environment for the Olympics.
“Right from the start the club has been very accommodating and it helps that we have had open communication throughout the whole process.”
Speaking about the her departure, Brisbane Roar head coach Jake Goodship said:
“I don’t think it’s ever going to be matched, to stay at one club and be as successful as she has been, winning trophies and personal accolades and playing 150 games,” coach Jake Goodship said.
“She basically symbolises what Brisbane Roar stands for.
“As hard as it is losing Clare, she has done the utmost work behind the scenes to ensure the confidence is high in the players stepping up to fill her shoes.”
OTHER TRANSFER NEWS:
Thai international Miranda Nild has joined Kristianstad from American NWSL side OL Reign.
Piteå have signed 26 year-old midfielder Elsa Karlsson from Kif Örebro. Karlsson has played almost every Damallsvenskan match for Örebro since she joined in 2018.
Icelandic national team goalkeeper Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir joins Örebro from Icelandic club Fylkir on a one year contract. She was heavily rumoured to be joining FAWSL side Everton this coming summer, so it remains to see what will happen longer term.
The Swedish Scene
It’s our regular Saturday round-up from the Swedish women’s football scene. This week, @DandalBs tells us about fixture news for the national side, UEFA Women’s Champions League action, transfer news and provides us with a round-up all the pre-season friendly and Swedish Cup news (13/3/21).
Sweden have announced two upcoming friendlies, at home to World Champions USA in Solna on 10th April and away to Poland on 13th April. Due to the 50,000 capacity of Solna’s Friends Arena, it is possible that a number of spectators may be able to attend that game.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Rosengård gained a great 2-0 win away to St Pölten to win the last sixteen tie 4-2 on aggregate. After drawing the first leg 2-2 on home soil, Rosengård looked as though they may have lost their chance to progress. Despite not being totally convincing, goals from Emma Berglund and Mimmi Larsson sent the Swedish side into the Quarter-Finals. In the draw made yesterday, Rosengård drew Bayern Munich with the first leg away from home. The winners of the tie will meet either VfL Wolfsburg or Chelsea in the semi-finals.
PRE-SEASON GAME NEWS:
Djurgården won their first pre-season friendly with a comfortable 6-1 victory over last season Uppsala who were relegated from the Damallsvenskan last season. Goals from Hanna Ekengren (2), Gudrun Arnadottir, Tilde Lindwall, Haley Dowd and Sara Olai won them the game.
Linköping defeated Eskilstuna United 1-0, thanks to a goal from a free-kick by Frida Maanum.
BK Häcken demolished Vittsjö 7-0. Filippa Angeldahl (2), Pauline Hammarlund, Stina Blackstenius (2), Filippa Curmark and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd scored the goals. Vittsjö had big problems handling the high, aggressive pressure from Häcken who look ready for the Swedish Cup matches starting next weekend.
Piteå went down 2-0 to Hammarby with Ellen Wangerheim scoring both goals. Hammarby became the first side to defeat Piteå in pre-season. The goal scorer, Ellen Wangerheim is one well worth keeping an eye on, she is just 16 years-old.
Örebro gained a 1-0 win over AIK in what was an extremely tight match. The identity of the goal scorer is not confirmed. Karin Lundin looked the most likely, but Anna Sandberg was also very nearby.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Linköping won 3-0 away to IFK Norrköping. Therese Simonsson, Uchenna Grace Kanu, Frida Maanum sealed a comfortable win for Linköping, which earns them a place in Swedish Cup Group One with among others, BK Häcken.
The last sixteen of the competition gets underway this coming weekend, with the teams divided into four groups of four teams with each team playing each other once. In this weekend’s games, Group One: Lidkopings v Linkopings and BK Hacken v Vaxjo. Group Two: Alingsas FC United v Kristianstads and FC Rosengard v Vittsjo. Group Three: KIF Orebro v Hammarby and Sundavalls DFF v Eskilstuna United. Group Four: Moron BK v Umea IK FF and Djurgardens v IK Uppsala.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Damallsvenskan newcomers AIK have announced the signing of 23 year-old defender Hannah Davison from Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
Icelandic forward Dilja Zomers has joined BK Häcken from Valur. The 19 year-old moved to Göteborg with her boyfriend, Valgeir Lunddal Fridriksson, who just signed with BK Häcken’s men’s team and has been on a trial for a short period.
The Swedish Scene
It’s Saturday, so that can only mean one thing on Impetus, @DandalBs round-up of all the news from the women’s game in Sweden. This week, there’s news from the UEFA Women’s Champions League, lots of pre-season action and a multitude of transfers (6/3/21).
Rosengård are in a precarious position after the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League Last Sixteen tie against St. Pölten. One strike in the second half from Sanne Troelsgaard helped the hosts, but they had to rely on an equaliser from Caroline Seger four minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game saved Rosengård from complete failure.
PRE-SEASON GAME NEWS:
In last weekend’s games, Örebro defeated Elitettan (tier two) side Älvsjö 3-0 with two goals from Karin Lundin and one from Jenna Hellstrom.
Newly promoted Hammarby gained a surprise 3-2 win over Kristianstad, who finished third last season. The Stockholm based side built a 3-0 lead thanks to Ellen Wangerheim, Hanna Folkesson and Emma Jansson before Kristianstad hit back through Sveindis Joinsdottir and Jutta Rantala.
Vittsjö defeated Kalmar with 2-1, goals by Bea Persson and Clara Markstedt.
Växjö recorded a resounding 5-0 win over Borgeby who are newly promoted to the Elitettan. Goals by Signe Holt Andersen (2), Mimmi Strömberg (2) and Emma Pennsäter sealed the win.
BK Häcken saw off Eskilstuna United 4-1. Kullberg, Angeldahl, Hammarlund, Blackstenius scored for BK Häcken with Kullashi on target for Eskilstuna. Häcken played very well and scored a couple of good goals.
There was a big 6-0 win for Piteå over Elitettan promotion hopefuls Morön. The goals came courtesy of a Hlin Eiriksdottir hat-trick, with Katrina Guillou adding two and Cajsa Hedlund one.
Eskilstuna United claimed a 4-1 midweek friendly win over Djurgården to continue the Stockholm side’s disastrous pre-season form. Loreta Kullashi (2), Vaila Barsley and Fanny Andersson were on target for Eskilstuna with Tilde Lindwall getting the sole positive from the game for Djurgården.
In a game played yesterday afternoon, Piteå defeated Sundsvall 1-0. Jennie Nordin scored the only goal. After five pre-season matches, Piteå remain undefeated and have not conceded a goal. However, this statistic comes with a caveat. Not a single one of these matches has been against a Damallsvenskan team. This will change on Sunday when they face Hammarby.
SWEDISH CUP NEWS:
Linköping won 3-0 away to IFK Norrköping. Therese Simonsson, Uchenna Grace Kanu, Frida Maanum sealed a comfortable win for Linköping, which earns them a place in Swedish Cup Group One with among others. BK Häcken.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
BK Häcken has strengthened their defence further by signing the 23 year-old Dylan Holmes from Adelaide United in the Australian W-League. Holmes has been playing better than ever this season for an Adelaide side who are on the brink of having the best season in their entire history. She is being talked of as a potential future senior Matilda (additional information from Ben Gilby).
Rosengård have reported that their Swedish international forward Anna Anvegård hasn’t been able to train or play since mid-January due to an undefined knee problem. She was not be able to play in their Champions League last sixteen first leg tie against St Pölten in midweek.
Djurgården have signed 20 year-old forward Alexandra Takounda Engolo from Cameroon on a one year deal. This is her first club abroad. She has experience from playing internationally for Cameroon’s youth and senior teams.
Vittsjö have announced two new signings this week. First came the arrival of 20 year-old goalkeeper Elin Vaughn on a short-term deal as a backup for Shannon Lynn while waiting for Sabrina D’Angelo to be ready to play. Vaughn comes from nearby third tier IFÖ Bromölla and has been capped for Sweden U19. The second arrival is Filippa Wallén who has been on trial at the club for a short period. Wallén has most recently played for Cypriot champions Apollon Limassol and before that with West Ham United in the FA Women’s Super League.
Växjö have signed Ena Mujdzic, a 23 year-old midfielder from third tier Böljan on a one year deal after spending some time on trial.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our Saturday morning round-up of all the latest goings on in the Swedish Women’s game (27/2/21).
A pioneer of Swedish women’s football, Ebba Andersson, passed away on 21st February aged 85. She was at the first training session with her club Öxabäck in 1966 and won two national championships. At the age of 37 she wore the captain’s armband for Sweden’s women’s first international in 1973 against Finland in Mariehamn. It would be her one and only international appearance.
PRE-SEASON GAME NEWS:
In last weekend’s games, Eskilstuna United put in a dominant performance in earning a 1-0 win over Örebro thanks to a goal from Vaila Barsley.
Newly promoted Hammarby eased to a 7-0 win over Elitettan (second tier) side Älvsjö. Emilia Larsson (3), Matilda Vinberg, Ellika Holmberg, Ellen Wangerheim and June Pedersen scored.
Linköping saw off newly promoted AIK 2-1 with goals from Cornelia Kapocs, Elin Landström with Emma Becker netting for AIK. The home side were missing several players to international duty with Sweden in Malta and were also unlucky not to add to their tally, hitting the post and crossbar during the game.
Vittsjö defeated Borgeby 3-0 thanks to goals from Fernanda da Silva, Paulina Nyström (2).
This weekend’s pre-season friendlies sees Örebro host Elitettan (second tier) outfit Älvsjö, Vittsjö welcome Elitettan side IFK Kalmar, Hammarby are at home to Kristianstad, Växjö take on Borgeby and BK Häcken host Eskilstuna United.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Swedish International Kosovare Asllani says that she has received concrete proposals from clubs, but has not given any clues about which clubs have approached her. She emphasises her desire to be part of a winning team – “that’s the absolutely most important”, and thinks Real Madrid will compete for the Champions League title in the future.
Örebro have suffered several injuries to key players during the pre-season and has had to try and fill the gaps in its squad. This week they made a start by bringing in 27 year-old Dessislava Dupuy who can play in midfield or up front. She has been playing in Serie A several years, most recently Florentia, and signs a one year contract.
BK Häcken were reportedly turned down by Linda Sembrandt, who seems set to remain in Spain. The club though have managed to announce one new signing, 26 year-old Danish defender Luna Nørgaard Gevitz on a two year contract. Gevitz has 27 caps for Denmark and joins from Guingamp in the French D1 Arkema. Additionally, Diljá Ýr Zomers, the 19 year-old Icelandic midfielder from top side Valur, is on trial with the club and is in the squad for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Eskilstuna United.
Vilde Böe Risa, who’s been without a club since she left Göteborg in mid-December, seems to be close to joining Manchester United according to Norwegian media.
Vittsjö hands 21 year-old defender Filippa Wallén a trial. She has previously played with West Ham United and most recently Apollon Limassol. Additionally, Wallén has experience with Sweden’s youth teams.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our regular Saturday morning round-up of all the news from the Swedish women’s game. This week, there’s all the news from the Swedish national team in Malta, a wrap of last week’s pre-season friendlies plus all the transfer and injury news from around the country (20/2/21).
Pauline Hammarlund had a minor concussion in training last Friday and didn’t join the Swedish national team in Malta. Rosengård’s Mimmi Larson replaced her. Also suffering with concussion in the national squad is Kosovare Asllani. The Real Madrid medical team have stated that they believe she is far enough into her rehab to join the Swedish team in Malta and complete her rehab there.
Their first game saw a comprehensive 6-1 win over Austria. Linda Sembrant gave the Swedes the lead with a header from a set piece. Virginia Kirschberger levelled shortly after from point blank range before Sweden took over. A run down the right and shot across the goalkeeper saw Fridolina Rolfö give Sweden the lead. A backward header from Lina Hurtig from a corner made it 3-1. It was 4-1 when Rolfö played a clever inside pass to Filippa Angeldahl to shoot into the net. Rolfö made it five when she tapped home a low cross before Sofia Jakobsson completed the rout with a shot across the face of the keeper.
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY NEWS:
In last weekend’s games, Växjö crushed Kalmar 5-0 thanks to goals from Signs Holt Andersen (2), Emmi Alanen, Ena Mujdzic and Madeline Gotta. Mujdzic is a trialist who previously played with coach Maria Nilsson’s old club Böljan.
Örebro went down 4-1 at home to Linköping. The goals came from Sara Lilja Vidlund for the hosts with Therese Simonsson (2), Frida Maanum and Synne Skinnes Hansen scoring for Linköping.
BK Häcken defeated Kristianstad 2-1 after an open and entertaining game. Kristianstad’s Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir opened the scoring, Johanna Kaneryd equalised and then Häcken’s winner came after a scrum at a late corner with Filippa Curmark possibly getting the final touch.
Piteå played their second pre-season match against a local boys team, IFK Luleå boys U15. A 2-0 win resulted with goals from Hanna Andersson and Cajsa Hedlund.
Hammarby won the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge after a very convincing 4-1 defeat of Elitettan (second tier) side Brommapojkarna in the final. Goals by Madelen Janogy (2), Emilia Larsson and an own goal was the difference. Tempest-Marie Norlin scored for Brommapojkarna.
Newly promoted Damallsvenskan side AIK took third place in the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge after a 1-0 win over local rivals Djurgården thanks to goal by Honoka Hayashi.
In this weekend’s pre-season friendlies, Eskilstuna United host Örebro, Linköping welcome AIK, Hammarby are home to Elitettan (second tier) side Älvsjö and Vittsjö host Elittan outfit Borgeby.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Rosengård were drawn against Austrian side St Pölten in the last sixteen of the UEFA Women’s Champions League with the first leg at home.
Eintracht Frankfurt are looking to build a team that can qualify for the UWCL. Sportbuzzer has reported that the German side is trying to sign Wolfsburg’s Swedish star Fridolina Rolfö who has also been linked with clubs in England, Spain and France.
BK Häcken are rumoured to be interested in Juventus’ Swedish international Linda Sembrant and are supposed to have offered the 33 year-old a contract. At the time of writing, there has been no comments from either clubs or Sembrant herself. Häcken has lost a lot of players, particularly in defence, since they won the championship under their previous guise as Kopparbergs/Goteborgs last season.
Örebro have signed 21 year-old Alma Nygren who can play in midfield or up front on a two year deal. Last year she played in the second tier Elitettan for Kvarnsveden who were relegated at the end of the campaign and has youth national team experience. Meanwhile, the club’s goalkeeper Moa Öhman has ruptured her ACL meaning she will be out for most of the season, at least.
Piteå midfielder Linn Vikström has suffered an ACL injury and will be out of action for a long spell. The club are reportedly looking to add to their squad as a result.
Vittsjö midfielder Alexandra Benediktsson, has ruptured her achilles tendon, and will be out for at least six months.
Växjö have reinforced their attack by bringing in 22 year-old Icelandic international Andrea Mist Pálsdóttir, who last season played for FH in Iceland.
Rosengård’s Natahlie Björn has hinted that she would like to play in England next season.
Sofia Jakobsson has been offered a new contract by Real Madrid, but admits “it’s incredibly fun to be linked” with a move to Olympique Lyonnais.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us our regular Saturday morning round-up of all the week’s news from the Swedish women’s game. This week, there’s the selection of Sweden’s squad for forthcoming international friendlies, pre-season match news and transfer updates (13/2/21).
Peter Gerhandsson has selected the squad for the forthcoming camp in Malta which includes friendlies against Austria as well as their island hosts. Chelsea trio Zećira Mušović, Jonna Andersson and Magdalena Eriksson were originally included, but due to travel restrictions, they have been told that they will not be able to enter Malta due to issues with allowing people from the UK onto the island nation due to coronavirus rates. They have been replaced in the squad by Emma Holmgren, Amanda Nildén (both of Eskilstuna United) and BK Häcken’s Emma Kullberg.
PRE-SEASON GAME NEWS:
In last weekend’s games, Elitettan (second tier) Bjonnapojkarna defeated Damsallvenskan side Djurgården in the first Stockholm Challenge match after 2-2 at full time and 18 penalty kicks. The other Stockholm Challenge match ended with a 2-0 win for Hammarby over AIK after goals from Madelen Janogy and Emilia Larsson. The two winners meet in the final today with AIK taking on rivals Djurgården in the third/fourth place play-off.
BK Häcken won their first match since formation with a 2-1 success over Linköping thanks to goals from Pauline Hammarlund and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Therese Simonsson scored for Linköping.
Örebro defeated Kalmar 2-1. Karin Lundin and 17 year-old trialist Lisa Frisk scored for the home side.
Piteå and Umeå drew 0-0.
In a game played on Thursday, Rosengård defeated Eskilstuna United at home 2-0. Goals from Jelena Čanković and Mimmi Larsson earned the win. This was probably Rosengård’s last warm-up match before their two-legged UEFA Women’s Champions League round of sixteen tie early March against still unknown opposition..
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Kristianstad’s 23 year-old midfielder Sofia Hagman has departed for Swedish-coached Apollon Ladies FC in Cyprus.
Bri Folds has departed Göteborg/Häcken and moved to Danish top club Fortuna Hjörring.
Örebro recent signing, 18 year-old midfielder Cassandra Larsson has injured a knee in training and will be out for most if not all of the coming season. The squad is thin and she will need to be replaced.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs is back for his regular Saturday round-up of all the week’s news and speculation from the women’s game in Sweden. Once more, the new BK Häcken FF club are taking most of the headlines, but there’s also signs of international football returning… (6/2/21).
Once again, the club making the most news is BK Häcken FF who formally took over the reigning Damallsvenskan champions Kopparbergs/Göteborg last week. They have announced that the long drawn out process has resulted in them only having seventeen players under contract at the time of writing. The uncertainty since Christmas had prevented any new signings. The first attempt to build the squad saw Serbian international forward Milica Mijatović become BK Häcken FF’s first ever signing. Mijatović most recently played for Apollon Limassol in Cyprus an before that won last season’s W-League title with Melbourne City. She has signed an eighteen month deal.
To make their squad even smaller, three players, Hanna Wijk, Lotta Ökvist and Filippa Curmark have been injured in training. Additionally, FAWSL side Brighton & Hove Albion have signed Emma Koivisto on an 18-month contract from the club. The consequence of this is the club’s friendly match against Jitex in midweek had to be cancelled. They will hope that the injuries clear up in time to play their next scheduled friendly against Linköping today.
In terms of their management and coaching staff, BK Häcken have made big steps already. Rumour has it that former Sweden, Göteborg and Lyon great Lotta Schelin is one of the names up to discussion for their first Director of Sport. Schelin says she’s not closing any doors.
The club have added to their senior team coaching staff by appointing Erika Faith, who works with their pre-existing fourth tier team to also becoming assistant coach with their new Damallsvenskan team.
PRE-SEASON GAME NEWS:
The pre-season schedule for Damallsvanskan sides has just got underway. Yesterday, Växjö lost 0-3 at home to Rosengård, goals by Viggosdottir, Larsson and Schough were the difference. Today sees many more friendlies: Brommapojkarna face Djurgården at 1pm, Kristianstad are home to Borgeby at 2pm, BK Häcken FF play their first game against Linköping at 3:50pm. Hammarby take on AIK at 4pm with Örebro playing IFK Kalmar at 4pm. All kick-offs are local time – subtract one hour for UK time.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Mia Eriksson reports that Sweden’s national women’s team will travel to Malta during the international break to play games vs Austria (February 19th) and Malta (February 23rd).
Piteå won their first pre-season game, against IFK Luleå’s 16 year-old boys team 4-0. Goals by Jennie Nordin, Hanna Andersson, Maja Green and Cecilia Edlund earned the win.
Djurgården has added another goalkeeper to their squad with the arrival of 24 year-old American Kelsey Daugherty. Daugherty spent two seasons at top Danish sideFortuna Hjörring and after that an uneventful last half of 2020 with Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL.
Lova Lundin, Umeå‘s second top goalscorer last season has left the club. The 22 year-old forward has joined EDF Logroño who sit just above the relegation zone in the Spanish Primera.
The 26 year-old former Uppsala forward Nicole Odelberg Modin has signed for Spanish Primera side RCD Espanyol for the rest of the season.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us his weekly round-up of all the women’s football news from Sweden. This week, the news is dominated by the conclusion of the saga surrounding the future of reigning Damallsvenkan champions Kopparbergs/Göteborg. (30/1/21).
Kopparbergs/Göteborg are still claiming the women’s football headlines in Sweden. On Wednesday evening, BK Häcken‘s members, after a long and intense debate, decided by 416 votes to 35 to take over Kopparbergs/Göteborg which will prevent the reigning Damallsvenskan champions from leaving the competition. Everything was completely finalised twenty-four hours later when at their annual general meeting, Kopparbergs/Göteborg accepted BK Häcken’s offer. The club will play in the 2021 Damallsvenskan under the name BK Häcken FF.
Local newspaper Göteborgs-Posten will webcast BK Häcken FF’s first match, a friendly against Jitex, on Wednesday next week. The same newspaper also showed action from the club’s first ever training session under their new name which took place at the club’s 6,500 capacity Bravida Arena.
At the start of the week, the club lost 28 year-old Julia Roddar to Washington Spirit.
It is rumoured that now Kopparbergs/Göteborg’s future is secured, their major financial backer Peter Bronsman will look to invest in a FA Women’s Super League side, with Reading looking like a particularly likely destination for him. Bronsman continues to deny the rumour.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
The schedule for the 2021 Damallsvenskan season has been finalised. The first round of matches will take place on the weekend of 17th-18th April. Newly promoted Hammarby will host reigning champions and newly named BK Häcken FF with fellow new side AIK travelling to Växjö. Elsewhere, Djurgården host KIF Örebro, Vittsjö are home to Piteå, Eskilstuna United welcome Kristianstads and Linköping host FC Rosengård.
Kristianstad‘s coach Elísabet Gunnarsdottir has announced that she will not take the position as Iceland’s new national coach. Speaking about the strong speculation linking her with the job, Gunnarsdottir said: “It’s no secret I’m very interested in the job, but the offer came late and I won’t desert a team I have just made plans with.”
Dajan Hashemi, who recently left Hammarby, has signed a contract with FC Nordsjælland in Denmark.
AIK have signed 27 year-old American winger Caroline Murray ahead of their return to the Damallsvenskan. Murray has played in Finland, Iceland and had spent the last three years in the second tier Elitettan where she played against AIK most recently for Sunnanå.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us his regular Saturday round-up of all the week’s news, views and transfer speculation from the Swedish women’s football scene. (23/1/21)
There’s been two pieces of news connected with the Swedish international team this week. First, they have been hit by the covid caused cancellation of an international tournament in England which was also due to include Denmark in February. This now leaves the SFF with very little time to find alternative arrangements.
Additionally, Ralf Kellermann, VfL Wolfburg’s Sporting Director, confirmed that internationals Ingrid Engen and Fridolina Rolfö will not extend their contracts with the German Champions and leave at the end of the season. The pair have been connected to Chelsea and Manchester United in the FA Women’s Super League.
Accounts have confirmed that Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC made a profit of SEK 13,3M (approx. £1.2m) in 2019. Potentially SEK 12M of the total came from sponsors, half of that from Peter Bronsman’s Kopparbergs business. It is hoped that local businesses who have supported the club in recent years will continue doing so if the link up with BK Häcken is confirmed.
However, their potential deal with BK Häcken is still very much up in the air after Göteborgs-Posten reported that at a member’s meeting at Häcken it was stated that if their club did not take over Kopparbergs/Göteborg the reigning Damallsvenskan champions would go out of business. In response, a number of Häcken members stated that they felt strongly that it should not be up to their club to solve a Swedish women’s football problem.
AIK have announced that they have extended the contracts of key players. 23 year-old Johanna Lindell signs on for another three years and 19 year-old Elsa Törnblom for two years.
Växjö DFF have brought one player in and announced one departure. First, they have signed 23 year-old American midfielder Madeleine Gotta on a two year deal. She most recently played for Thór/KA in the Icelandic top flight. Ini Umotong, who spent last half of the 2020 season with the club has joined FA Women’s Championship side Lewes.
There have been some comings and goings at newly promoted Damallsvenskan side Hammarby. Twenty-four year-old Ellen Gibson has signed a new two year contract, but 20 year-old Danish forward Dajan Hashemi has left after playing twenty-three matches and scoring four goals last season. At the timing of writing, Hashemi has not joined another club.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Elena Sadiku has been appointed as head of coaching at Fortuna Hjørring. Additionally, she will be assistant coach for the senior team.
Hannah Wilkinson, the New Zealand international has left Djurgården to join MSV Duisburg in Germany.
Eskilstuna have announced that both Fanny Andersson and Vaila Bersley have signed new one year deals.
The three Stockholm based Damallsvenskan clubs, Djurgården plus newly promoted AIK and Hammarby plus Elitettan side IF Brommapojkarna will play a pre-season tournament over the first two weekends in February with the winners taking home the Volkswagen Stockholm Challenge Trophy.
Jonna Andersson – Medals Galore And Aiming For Many More!
As part of the exciting re-design of Impetus, Ben Gilby spoke to Chelsea and Sweden star Jonna Andersson who has played in the World Cup, Olympic Games and UEFA Women’s Champions League in a fantastic career. 5/12/20
Jonna was born and brought up in the city of Mjölby, south-east Sweden and her family played an integral part in her interest in football: “They have always loved football and played football so I think it was an easy choice for me. I started when I was a young age with my big brother in the garden and then I decided to go to a training session and started play for Mjölby AI/FF when I was around 7 years old.”
“My family played an integral part in my development as a footballer. They have always supported me. My dad played football on a quite high level as well so he always wanted to help me get better and better. Then of course all the coaches I have had as well but I still think the support and help from family makes it a lot easier.”
At the age of sixteen, she went to play for Linköping – which was a big step for the young Jonna: “I came as a young player to Linköping, who at that point had a very good and professional squad with so many high quality players. So it was a lot to take in and to learn as a 16 year old girl playing with these amazing players. It was a huge step going from my old club, higher quality, higher tempo, harder sessions and tougher. But I’m glad that I stayed eight years in the club because I feel that I could grow as a player and as a person. I gave myself the time I needed to grow and to develop as a player and with the high level from day one it was the right place for me to be to be a better football player.”
During Andersson’s eight years at the club, they won the Damallsvenskan (top flight of women’s football in Sweden) and the Swedish Cup several times before she made the move to England.
Jonna emphasised the big step up she experienced with her move to the FAWSL as, despite the Damallsvenskan producing many hugely talented young players, it is not as strong as it was in the past in terms of success in European club football: “The biggest difference between the two leagues, I would say, is the quality in general both in training and games. I think the FAWSL is a higher tempo, better quality and harder in general. And to have that every day in training and in most of the games in the league you have a perfect opportunity to get better and develop.”
Andersson highlighted that for the women’s club game in Sweden to attempt to move back towards its previous strength, some of the big men’s sides such as Malmö, Djurgården and AIK could consider doing more to support their women’s teams: “Of course I think it would help to work together with men’s teams. To build and to be even better and progress even further in the Champions League as well you need to have the money. It’s not just for one season, you need to build for a longer term as well and for that you need the money. I’m not saying that it’s the answer but it would be interesting to see for the future if the men’s teams decided to work together and support the women’s team more.”
Jonna has experienced some incredible moments playing for the Swedish national team, starting in 2012 in the U19 European Championship: “That tournament was amazing! To be with the U19 national team and to win Euro 2012 was unbelievable. A big tournament and an experience in that age was fantastic, and to end the tournament with a gold medal too!”
Four years later came another incredible experience – being picked to represent Sweden at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio where Andersson and her team won the silver medal: “That was very cool. Just to be in a village with all the athletes – it doesn’t matter what sport they were from, it was huge and an amazing feeling. I didn’t play that much during that tournament but I’m very happy and proud that I was a part of the Olympic squad for 2016. The atmosphere in the stadiums was incredible, and to be there with all the audience at these huge stadiums were something I never will forget. And to be a part of this tournament and to end with a silver medal, that’s an amazing achievement from the team.”
Further international success followed three years later at the 2019 World Cup in France. The Swedes had a fantastic tournament which saw them clinch third place. It was a month or so that created more amazing memories for Jonna: “I enjoyed it very much. To play a World Cup is very, very big and I will always remember it. To be with our amazing team and squad, to work hard together every day, to perform in all games and the togetherness we had all tournament that in the end gave us a bronze medal. I’m very proud that I was a part of the World Cup squad and I think the togetherness was a key and reason for why we could succeed.
Andersson is about to celebrate three years playing for Chelsea and in that period of time, standards have gone up and up each season: “I think it was a very high standard with everything already when I came but of course you can see during these three years that things are getting even better. And you know when you are in Chelsea that this club want to win everything – all the titles and that’s fantastic to be a part of this journey. You can see how much Chelsea are pushing this season trying to win everything, we have a quality squad with amazing signings and things that’s happening on and off the pitch that are hopefully going to make us be able to go all the way and fight for all the titles.”
Jonna is clear that the key to Chelsea’s success is Emma Hayes: “Emma is a very good coach who loves football. She has done so much for women’s football and hopefully she will continue this work to grow women’s football for a long period of time. She and all our coaches work together and are very focused. They work hard every day to make us better as a team and pushing us to achieve and to get better all the time.”
As the Swede highlighted earlier, Chelsea have brought in a large number of big name players, particularly over the past twelve months: “I think everyone has been settling in very well. They came into a very good group so hopefully they have felt very welcome from the start and hopefully that made it easier to feel like home. It is a squad full of amazing players with top quality so all the new signings have made a huge impact in training and games so that’s amazing and with all the new signings the squad is even bigger and more competitive than before.”
The standards that Chelsea set themselves are sky-high, and therefore it should not be a surprise that their expectations are equally as high: “A good season for us this season is of course to win all the titles we are playing for. That’s what we want. We want to play a football with high quality but in the end of the day we want to fight for all the trophies and bring them to Chelsea.”
Jonna is clear that she wants to develop herself as a player and provide even more influence on both her club and country team over the coming years: “Hopefully I can continue develop as a player. I want to be even better both attacking and defending. Hopefully I will win a few more trophies with Chelsea and have played a few more tournaments with the national team. There’s the Olympics and Euros to fight for in the coming years so hopefully I can be a part of these big tournaments.”
Exceptional Älvsjö Revisited: A Year On
In Impetus‘ very first feature article back in September 2019, Ben Gilby looked at the incredible achievements of Älvsjö AIK FF Dam in Sweden. It seems only fitting that the last feature article on the site before its’ total revamp this coming weekend sees him return to the tiny town outside Stockholm to update us on their wonderful progress. (26/11/20)
When it comes to women’s football teams punching above their apparent weight, arguably none have done it more successfully than Älvsjö AIK FF Dam.
Based in a small suburban town with a population of just 1,530 people, Älvsjö (pronounced Elves-Her) is situated 8.5 miles south-west of Stockholm and, other than its incredible women’s football team, it is famous for being the location of Stockholmsmässan (The Stockholm International Fair), northern Europe’s biggest trade fair facility, which hosted the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest, the first to be held in Sweden due to ABBA’s famous win the previous year thanks to their song ‘Waterloo’.
Despite these heady achievements, and the presence of a large railway station on the main commuter line network which links central Stockholm with the historic university city of Uppsala almost fifty miles away, Älvsjö remains a very quiet, peaceful and unassuming little town. The modern central square is surrounded by small, local shops, a fountain and a café which serves as a venue to promote the Swedish lifestyle choice of fika. Fika is a state of mind which encapsulates the Swedish way of living whereby work/life balance is at the centre of everything the country’s inhabitants do. Even the busiest office stops and makes time for fika – the part of day where plenty of time is devoted to coffee and a bite to eat (usually cake or kanelbullar – Swedish style Cinnamon Buns) and a chat with friends or colleagues. Except in Älvsjö it’s not just coffee and kanelbullar that the tiny local population made sure they fit in, it’s getting out, playing football and honing their skill with such dedication that they became the nation’s top team.
For five seasons in a row – from 1995-1999 (football in Sweden is played generally between March and October in one calendar year to avoid playing during the harsh winters), Älvsjö AIK FF Dam, based at the Älvsjö Idrottsparken (Älvsjö athletics ground) took the Swedish Damallvenskan top flight by storm and won the title each year in this period. That a side based in a tiny location with barely 1,500 inhabitants were dominating big city teams in a nation who have always been one of the strongest in the world of women’s football was just incredible.
As the twenty-first century began, across in Stockholm, the women’s side of one of Sweden’s top men’s teams, Djurgården IF (DIF) wanted to further the progress of their own female team. The 1980s had seen Djurgården promoted to the Damallsvenskan for the first time only to be relegated in 1992. It took them four years to regain their place in the top division. With DIF still not quite established as a long term member of the highest league, and UEFA about to launch its first pan European club competition for the top women’s club sides, Älvsjö AIK FF Dam and Djurgården IF merged, with the two clubs owning 49% and 51% of the joined entity respectively.
The merger was a huge success on the pitch with Djurgården/Älvsjö, consisting from players taken from the squads of both the original standalone clubs, winning the Damallsvenskan in 2003 and 2004, the Swedish Cup in 2004 and 2005 and finishing as Damallsvenskan runners-up in both 2006 and 2007. Success in UEFA’s Women’s Cup (the forerunner of the UEFA Women’s Champions League) was also achieved in 2005. After coming through a group stage Djurgården/Älvsjö saw off fellow Swedish side Umeå in the quarter-finals before a famous aggregate win over Arsenal Ladies in the semis. The final, played over two legs against the German outfit Turbine Potsdam ended in disappointment, but the achievement of a team who had such humble beginnings reaching a major European final was phenomenal.
However, the footballing story of the tiny town of Älvsjö has not ended since merging with Djurgården. The club have a senior side in addition to their huge girls’ section. After several years playing in the third tier Division One South Svealand, the 2019 season saw the return of success.
Going into the final day of the season, Älvsjö AIK FF Dam just needed to defeat third placed Telge United FF to secure promotion to the second tier of the women’s game in Sweden, the Elitettan. However, it didn’t quite go as planned. A 2-2 draw allowed Älta IF leapfrog them to finish top of the table and gain the one automatic promotion place to the Elitettan. Yet Älvsjö had a second chance – as the Elitettan is a national division and the third tier is regional, the second placed sides in the various third tier leagues play-off for the remaining promotion spot to the second tier.
So, over two legs, Älvsjö faced off against Alingsås FC United. A 0-0 draw in the first leg away from home installed Älvsjö as favourites for the promotion. Again, it didn’t quite go as planned with Alingsås FC United claiming a 2-0 win to take the remaining promotion spot.
Yet, still the story was not over. In a case of third time lucky, Älvsjö AIK FF Dam discovered that Älta IF would not be taking their place in the Elitettan, and as runners-up to them for promotion in the league, Älvsjö were given the last spot in the second tier of Swedish football for the 2020 season.
The club would now be facing off against the women’s teams of giant neighbouring sides AIK Solna and Hammarby. As you would expect, the step up from regional level football to the national second tier of the women’s game in Sweden is huge and there is a big gulf between the top sides in the Elitettan and the rest. For a club such as Älvsjö AIK FF Dam, regardless of their glorious past, it was a huge gap to attempt to bridge.
The aim for this season was survival in the Elitettan and then eventually try and consolidate their second tier status in a bid to try and consistently play at the higher levels of Swedish women’s football once more. The season started promisingly with a 3-1 win at home to Sunnanå SK. Further wins over Lidköpings FK (3-2), Sandvikens IF (2-1), Enskede IK (3-2) and the return game with Sunnanå SK (2-0). Whilst there have been the occasional heavy losses, there have also been glorious efforts in defeat. The mighty AIK Solna, who ended up winning 24 of their 26 matches and won the Elitettan with three games to spare were really challenged by Älvsjö AIK FF Dam and only just emerged with a 4-2 win. Linda Niemenen and Zabrina Koont’s goals emphasised just what a great spirit Älvsjö have.
In the end everything came down to the final three games of the season, and Älvsjö AIK FF Dam knew that they would need a minimum of three points from these matches to retain their Elitettan status. What made this target particularly challenging was that two of the games would be against big Stockholm side and promotion challengers Hammarby – who had only lost two games all season. The run in began with Älvsjö hosting Hammarby. Two goals in the opening seventeen minutes from Ana Rodrigues put the Stockholm side in control – but Älvsjö showed great character again to steady the ship and began to impose themselves on the game. In the final minute, Felicia Saving grabbed the third. It was a defeat, but again, Älvsjö had given their all.
The following week was a huge showdown for Älvsjö when they travelled to fellow strugglers Kvarnsvedens IK. Whoever lost the game would end up in the relegation zone ahead of the final game of the season. With Älvsjö AIK FF Dam knowing they would have to travel to second placed Hammarby for their last match, that was a thought laced with the ultimate danger. That prospect, combined with the incredible spirit this team, the ultimate of underdogs in the Elitettan had showed all season long, was enough to seal the ultimate victory. Magda Le Therien’s goal just before the hour mark sent Älvsjö into raptures. They had earned a vital victory.
Therefore, they went into their final game at Hammarby, who were celebrating promotion to the top tier Damallsvenskan as runners-up AIK. Älvsjö knew that they were still not mathematically safe. A defeat for them and wins for either Kvarnsvedens IK or Sandvikens IK would cause Älvsjö AIK Dam to be relegated.
Like the game two weeks previously at Älvsjö Idrottsparken, Hammarby started on fire. This time, they built a 3-0 lead within twenty-one minutes with two goals from Emma Jansson and one from Emilia Larsson. Characteristically, Älvsjö dug in and were rewarded for their fighting qualities when, just before the break, Linda Nieminen got a goal back.
Cruelly, just after the interval, Emilia Larsson restored Hammarby’s three goal advantage and in stoppage time at the end of the game Frida Thornqvist made it 5-1. Still Älvsjö would not lie down and Klara Ovefelt got an all-important second – as relegation could still, potentially be decided by goal difference.
With the final score being 5-2 to Hammarby, whilst the home team celebrated their place in the top tier of Swedish women’s football, there was a nervous wait for Älvsjö to see if results elsewhere would go in their favour. In the end, Sandvikens IK’s 2-0 defeat at home to Morön BK and Kvarnsvedens IK’s 3-1 loss to IFK Kalmar meant that Älvsjö AIK FF Dam were assured that they were safe from relegation and would be in the Elitettan once more for the 2021 season.
It might not be the same heights as their incredible successes in the late 1990s, but Älvsjö AIK FF Dam earning and then retaining their place in the second tier of Swedish women’s football for a club from such a small town is nothing short of phenomenal.
We will be continuing to follow the club closely over the coming weeks and months – keep your eyes peeled for a special interview coming soon and some exciting news linking Impetus with the club throughout the 2021 season. Quite simply, Älvsjö AIK FF Dam are a wonderful story that just keeps continuing to show new achievements.
@DandalBs returns with our weekly feature on all the news, views and transfer speculation in the top two tiers of Swedish Women’s Football, the Damallsvenskan and Elitettan. 16/1/21
As we suspected two weeks ago, it now seems almost certain that Kopparbergs/Göteborgs FC will play Damallsvenskan 2021 as a part of BK Häcken. Häcken is the club behind the huge Gothia Cup youth tournament and at the present the strongest of the men’s elite clubs in Göteborg. Things should be confirmed on 27th January when the board of BK Häcken has called its members to an extra annual meeting to decide whether or not they will take over Kopparbergs/Göteborgs FC.
From BK Häcken’s perspective, their official supporter club, with no formal standing but influence, has announced that they are against incorporating Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in their club. However, they have stated that they are not against a co-operation between the clubs.
Back within Kopparbergs/Göteborgs, coach Jörgen Ericson has left the club after three years. As he departed, he said: “I love the girls, the club has been gold. But it’s enough now.” It is reported that club chairman Bronsman would have liked him to stay. Mats Gren stays on the coaching staff and has been joined by Matti Demegård, Sweden’s assistant coach when they won silver medal at the 2016 Olympics’ Women’s Football event.
There have been some movement of players at the club over the last week as Sweden U19 midfielder Hanna Andersson has left after limited playing time and joins Piteå. It has also been rumoured that Julia Roddar may be on the move to NWSL side Washington Spirit Roddar is under contract 2021, so a transfer fee would be required. Coming in is Swedish international defender Lotta Ökvist from Manchester United. United manager Casey Stoney said of the transfer: “It was the right thing to do by her as a person to allow her to go back to Sweden and be closer to the people that she cares about,” following reports that Ökvist was finding it hard being in England during the pandemic.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Damallsvenskan 2021 will start on 18th April and finish on 13th November. Match schedule not set yet. It has also been confirmed that this will be the last 12 team season for the Swedish women’s top flight. There will be only 1 club relegated and three promoted from the Elitettan. There will then 14 teams in the Damallsvenskan from 2022.
The Swedish Cup for Women in 2021 will be structured with four groups of four teams and will be played between 13th and 27th March. The four group winners will advance to semi-finals.
Rosengård‘s 25 year-old back-up goalkeeper Emma Lind has joined Frauen-Bundesliga club Turbine Potsdam.
After five years in Linköping, mostly as a back-up, 24 year old goalkeeper Matilda Haglund moves back to Elitettan side Lidköping.
Damallsvenskan clubs are starting their pre-season training, with newly promoted Hammarby doing so in the midst of snow. The club have stated their aim to win the top flight championship within three years. Their lost top flight title came in 1985.
Goalkeeper Shannon Lynn, who has been at Vittsjö since 2014, has signed a new contract to stay at the club for one more year. The club have also announced the signing of 24 year-old Finnish international midfielder Julia Tunturi from Eskilstuna on a two year deal.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us all the news from the Swedish women’s football scene over the past week as the weekly series moves to its regular slot of a Saturday. (9/1/21)
First this week, we head back to reigning champions Kopparbergs/Göteborg where the club have confirmed their place in the Damallsvenskan for 2021 along with the exit of two players. First, Finnish international Emma Koivisto has left after “three wonderful years”. She has not announced a new club. Additionally, Annika Schmidt, who spent most of last season on loan to Sunnanå, has joined Houston Dash.
Vittsjö have signed Piteå’s 27 year-old Brazilian forward Fernanda da Silva on a deal for a minimum length of one season.
The club have also given new two year deals to Kajsa Lind and Paulina Nyström. The club have joined 20 year-old forward Beatrice Persson from Rosengård.
Guðbjörg Gunnarsdóttir, who just recently left Djurgården, has signed with Norwegian Toppserien club Arna-Bjørnar. Also leaving the club is defender Kim Sundlöv after having most of 2019 and 2020 destroyed by injuries. No new club has been announced as yet.
Rosengård have announced the signing of 24 year-old Olivia Welin, previously with Kristianstad, on a two year deal. Welin’s career has been hampered by injuries the last four years, but her new club believes in her talent.
They have also given a two year senior contract to U19s goal keeper Angel Mukasa gets a 2 year senior contract. Mukasa has been capped for Sweden at youth level.
NEWS IN BRIEF…
Svava Rós Gudmundsdóttir, who left Kristianstad in December has joined Girondins de Bordeaux, who are hot favourites to clinch the third French spot in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Jennie Nordin, the 27 year-old defender and captain of Växjö the last 3 seasons, has joined Piteå on a deal lasting for at least one season.
Örebro have signed 24 year-old American winger/forward Jessie Scarpa who spent last season at Washington Spirit where she played with recent Örebro signing Jenna Hellstrom. She had a short stint in Sweden’s D2 with Lidköping 2019.
Linköping have brought in 22 year-old Norwegian international Heidi Ellingsen has signed a two year deal with. She has spent the last two years with LSK Kvinner.
Hammarby have handed new contracts to Hanna Lundkvist and Frida Thörnqvist, Hammarby.
The Swedish Scene
@DandalBs brings us all the news from the Swedish women’s football scene over the past week, starting with the incredible goings on at reigning Damallsvenskan champions Kopparbergs/Göteborg. (4/1/21)
The big news in Sweden over the past week has been the shocking goings on in Göteborg where, at the start of last week, reigning Damallsvenskan champions Kopparbergs/Göteborg were closed down with immediate effect – only for the decision to be reversed two days later after news came in of potential new investment under a new banner.
The original decision to close the club down appears to have been taken by the board after their defeat by Manchester City in the last thirty-two of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on 17th December with the players and coaching staff not informed until 29th December.
Kopparbergs/Göteborg chairman Peter Bronsman believed that without more money it is unrealistic for Swedish club sides to compete in Europe again.
Since the club were first formed in 2003, the large men’s teams in the city of Göteborg – IFK Göteborg, GAIS and BK Häcken have all formed women’s sides and there are pointers that the people behind Kopparbergs/Göteborg believe that BK Häcken could take up the baton seriously within the city now. Bronsman told Sport Bladet “You need to give women the same facilities and staff as the men. It cannot be done in a women’s (only) club. We’re moving out of the way for the women’s teams that are developing in the big Göteborg men’s clubs.”
Major club sponsor Prioritet Finans’s CEO Nils Wiberg who had put almost 4,000,000 kroner into the club announced his real “shock” at the original news. “I have no idea what was behind the decision,” he told Fotboll Skanalen, “I am as choked and surprised as everyone else. We really needed this team. This (news) is just embarrassing”.
The players were told to find new clubs. Elin Rubensson a Kopparbergs/Göteborg star who has sixty-nine caps for Sweden showed her shock at the news by telling Göteborgs-Posten: “Right now, we’re just choked and sad. I hope someone can step in to save the club.” In the meantime though, Göteborg coaches, Jörgen Ericson and Mats Gren have pledged to keep going with training sessions throughout January.
Carl Fhager, the lawyer with the job to liquidate Kopparbergs/Göteborg’s senior team, sees two ways to go about that job; find new clubs for the players or find someone who is willing to take over the team.
It appears that a potential link up with BK Häcken may behind news on New Year’s Eve that the club’s senior team is set to be saved and take their place in the Damsallsvenskan in 2021 after all.
The Expressen first broke the news by suggesting that coach Mats Gren had contacted players to tell them “it will be alright”.
Then came the club’s announcement that they “did not expect the big, overwhelming and positive interest from individuals, businesses and football clubs.” Additionally, Göteborgs-Posten reported on New Year’s Eve that the club “will stay in Damallsvenskan in close co-operation with an established club” – and that established club is hotly rumoured to be BK Häcken.
Whatever banner the senior team plays under if 2021, at the present time, it appears that the Kopparbergs/Goteborg name will stay in existence via its U17 and U19 teams in existence.
IN OTHER NEWS…
Örebro have signed experienced 27 year-old defender Sanna Kullberg from relegated Umeå on a one year deal. Sanna’s elder sister Emma played for Örebro 2019, before she moved to Göteborg. Also at Örebro, the club have handed 16 year-old Emilia Pelgander a two year contract with the first team.
Växjö have signed Canadian international defender Shannon Woeller. She most recently played for Valencia in the Spanish league. Woeller has previously played Damallsvenskan football for Eskilstuna in 2018-19. The 30 year-old has signed a one year contract with an option for a second. The club have also given a new two year contract to goalkeeper Katie Fraine, one of the keys to their successful 2020 season.
It has been a case of one in and one out at Umeå. First, Fanny Hjelm Rönnlund, a key player in the last few seasons has left for Hammarby where the 29 year-old midfielder has signed a two year contract. Coming into the club in her place is Piteå’s teenage talent Vilma Koivisto The midfielder had 18 appearances 2020, but mostly as a substitute, and wants more playing time.
Vittsjö‘s midfield talent Michelle De Jongh has moved to Fleury, a midtable French team, on a five month loan. De Jongh has extensive experience from Sweden youth teams but remains to be capped for the full national team. Coming into the club is 18 year-old talent Moa Karlsson from Halmstad BK, a D3 team. The promising midfielder has played five matches for Sweden’s U17 side.
Djurgården have announced the departure of two players depart in the past week. First, Icelandic international goalkeeper Gudbjörg Gunnarsdottir announced on New Year’s Eve that she is looking for a new club after nine seasons. Also leaving the club is 24 year-old Frida Boriero who has signed for Brommapojkarna, an Elitettan (D2) side.
NEWS IN BRIEF…
Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir has joined Kristianstad on a one year loan from VfL Wolfsburg.
Promising 18 year-old midfielder Felicia Saving leaves Hammarby for Eskilstuna United. Saving has been capped for Sweden at youth level.
Zecira Musovic, who has moved to Chelsea has been replaced at Rosengard by Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé who comes in from North Carolina Courage in the NWSL but has also played in the Damallsvenskan previously.
Former Piteå defender Sejde Abrahamsson has signed with the Spanish premier side Seville, where Piteå teammate Julia Karlernäs joined a couple of weeks ago.
The Swedish Scene
We are delighted to welcome new contributor @DandalBs who, via his social media feed, brings us a weekly update on all the women’s football news, views and transfer speculation in Sweden. (21/12/20)
Newly promoted Damallsvenskan (top division) side AIK have strengthened their squad ahead of the 2021 season with the arrival of Hallbera Gísladóttir. The 34 year-old Icelandic international joins on a one year contract. She will be by far AIK’s most experienced player with 117 caps for her country and having won seven Iceland league championships.
In another international signing, AIK have brought in 22 year-old Japanese international midfielder Honoka Hayashi from Osaka in Nadeshiko League 1. Hayashi, who played in all the matches when Japan won the U20 World Championship 2018, has signed for two years.
Staying with the Solna based side, the club have handed 18 year-old winger/forward Arsema Weldai a four year senior contract. Weldai comes from the club’s U19 squad and has played for AIK since she was seven years-old. Seventeen year-old attacker Piyatida Somkumpee, also from the club’s illustrious youth ranks has been awarded a senior contract – this time lasting for three years. She made 22 appearances for the first team in their promotion winning campaign from the Elitettan in 2020.
Örebro have signed ex Umeå goalkeeper Tove Enblom on a one year contract. Enblom will be competing with the club’s other keeper Moa Öhman for playing time. The club have also announced the arrival of 25 year-old Icelandic defender Berglind Rós Ágústsdóttir on a two year contract. Berglind joins from Icelandic side Fylkir and got her first senior cap for Iceland in March this year.
NEWS IN BRIEF:
Elsewhere, Växjö, who finished the last Damallsvenskan season in sixth place, have signed Sweden U23 defender Emma Pennsäter from Vittsjö on a two year deal.
Piteå, who narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the Damallsvenskan season have awarded stalwart Josefin Johansson a new two year contract. The 32 year-old has been at the club since 2011.
There are rumours linking Nigerian forward Ebere Orji, the Damallsvenskan Player of the Month for July, with a move to Elitettan promotion hopefuls IFK Kalmar after leaving Linköping, who finished fourth in the top tier in 2020.
Malmö FF‘s newly re-established women’s side have announced the signing of midfielder Amanda Kander who has just left Damallsvenskan side Djurgården. Kandar was born just over 12 miles from Malmö, and so the move represents a homecoming. Malmö FF will take part in the second lowest division next season but aim to be in the Damallsvenskan in five years. “I want to take part in an exciting journey”, Kander said.
Australian international Elise Kellond-Knight has extended her contract with Kristianstad for six months, which is likely to bring her up to the Olympic Games. The Matildas star only played two Damallsvenskan matches before she tore her ACL in early July.
Finally, Växjö goalkeeper Katie Fraine, one of the keys to their successful 2020 season, has extended her contract for a further two years.
impetusfootball.org 