Damallsvenskan Newsblog

First Djurgården, that is on spring training camp in Algarve, announced that they have agreed with China's national team to play a friendly on Friday afternoon. Djurgården's sport director Micke Söderman commented that it will be very exciting to compare themselves with such a good team.
Djurgården: Djurgården/Älvsjö möter Kinas damlandslag

Then they announced that they, effective from February 27, will drop the Älvsjö from the name and just be Djurgården. This because their cooperation club Älvsjö AIK now plays in the 1s division and they want to avoid any possible confusion.
Djurgården: Djurgården/Älvsjö blir Djurgården Damfotboll

And then, the big finale: Germany and Turbine Potsdam midfielder Ariane Hingst will join the team, starting April 1. Hingst has more than 100 caps for Germany, several European Championships and a World Cup gold as well as Bundesliga, German Cup and UEFA Women's Cup victories. Djurgården and Turbine Potsdam has played each other several times and Hingst has always played an important part for Turbine. She will be a key player for Djurgården and "in spite of her long experience and big successes so far, she is still eager for new victories", Djurgård's Mikael Söderman explains. He adds that Djurgården has had good connections with Turbine and Hingst since first their encounters in 2004, which I suppose has facilitated the deal.
Ariane Hingst writes on her official website that she has always dreamed of playing abroad and particulary in Sweden. Turbine Potsdam's Bernd Schröder explains that they don't want to stand in the way for such a deserving player and wish her luck "with our friends in Djurgården".
Djurgården: Tysk toppspelare klar för Djurgården Damfotboll
Dagens Nyheter: Hingst klar för Djurgården
Turbine Potsdam: Ariane Hingst wechselt zu Djurgården/Älvsjö
Ariane's official homepage

By the way, Hingst in Swedish means stallion or, if you like, stud. No way the tabloids did anything to avoid the double entendre of a Hingst to Djurgården's ladies.

Jitex - Falköping  4 - 1 (1-1)
Goals: 0-1 Linnea Liljegärd
Former Damallsvenskan side Jitex dominated the encounter, except for the first 10 minutes when a somewhat sloppy defending gave Falköping the lead. Falköping had big problems, especially in the second half, when they only managed to create one single scoring opportunity.
Damfotboll.com: Jitex - Falköping 4-1

Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC - Qbik 6 - 1 (3-0)
Göteborg: Sandra Bjurteg - Maria Karlsson, Sofia Dammström, Sofia Karlsson - Catrin Johansson (60 Julia Larsson), Emmelie Farfa, Salina Olsson, Ingvild Stensland, Anna Andén - Sofie Andersson, Sara Lindén
Qbik:
Goals: 1-0 Own goal (20), 2-0 Ingvild Stensland (29), 3-0 Sara Lindén (41), 4-0 Sofie Andersson, 5-0 Anna Andén, 6-0 Salina Olsson, 6-1 Jennifer Meier
In spite of usual starters Lotta Schelin and Marlene Sjöberg staying home with colds, Göteborg played out Qbik, that couldn't keep up with the pace. Göteborg tried out an offensive 3-5-2 formation and gave youngsters like back-up goalie Sandra Bjurteg and on the outfield Catrine Johansson, Anna Andén and Julia Larsson a chance to prove themselves. Göteborg coach Martin Pringle was pleased with what he saw and says the team only needs an experienced centre defender to be complete. Qbik's assistant coach thought his team made it a little bit too easy for the opposition, but "we met a better team".
Göteborg FC: Seger mot QBIK
Värmlands Folkblad: Billiga mål sänkte Qbik

AIK - Djurgården/Älvsjö  1 - 6 (0-3)
AIK: Sofia Lundgren - Madelene Göras (70 Anna Karlsson), Sanna Valkonen, Frida Höglund, Madeleine Wedin (75 Hanna Jöhnk) - Lina Hedkvist (75 Anna Bohlin), Jessica Julin, Laura Kalmari, Danielle Wallander - Freja Egebrant (75 Anna Lundin), Sofia Simonsson
Djurgården: Bente Nordby - Dorte Dalum Jensen (69 Malin Engdahl), Jane Törnqvist, Therese Brogårde, Sara Thunebro - Kicki Bengtsson, Anna Hall, Linda Forsberg, Elin Ekblom - Emma Lundh (64 Anna Lagerberth), Victoria Svensson
Goals: 0-1 Victoria Svensson (11), 0-2 Victoria Svensson, 0-3 Emma Lundh, 1-3 Hanna Jöhnk (76), 1-4 Anna Lagerberth (86), 1-5 Victoria Svensson (89), 1-6 Anna Lagerberth (91)
After playing three matches against minnows, AIK faced their first real test in a friendly derby against Djurgården. Djurgården were better on every position and out-played AIK in the first half. In the second AIK started better and even managed to produce a couple of good situations on front of goal, including Hanna Jöhnk's goal on a Valkonen free-kick. Djurgården, that throughout the game played fast and aggressive football, finished off the match with a 5 minute 3 goal explosion. AIK's captain Jessica Julin was disappointed "too much girlie football" and national team coach Thomas Dennerby, who watched the game, expressed about the same thing when he said that AIK seemed to have a little-sister complex towards Djurgården.
Sanna Valkonen got hurt early in the match, but decided to keep on playing with what was later discovered to be a broken toe. The injury will probably keep her from any football for a month.
Dagens Nyheter: "Vickan" storspelade när DIF krossade AIK
AIK: Storförlust mot Djurgården/Älvsjö
Djurgården: Hattrick av Vickan
Damfotboll.com: Valkonen skadad - borta en månad

Hammarby - Linköping 1 - 1 (1-1)
Hammarby: Katarina Wicksell - Annica Svensson, Elin Sölveskog, Josefin Christensen, Therese Dahlberg - Malin Nykvist, Jennie Jonsson - Therese Sandström, Lollo Fors, Marijke Callebaut - Sara Johansson
Linköping: Mia Cederholm (46 Jenny Olsson) - Frida Östberg, Marie-Louise Skålberg (63 Sandra Landberg), Charlotte Rohlin, Marie Karlsson - Petra Larsson, Caroline Seger, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen - Ann Westermark (63 Maria Lindström), Maria Aronsson (75 Frida Carlswärd), Josefine Öqvist
Goals: 1-0 Marijke Callebaut (7), 1-1 Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (14)
Both teams declared themselves satisfied with the match, characterized by good attacking play from both sides. Hammarby's Sara Johansson made her first appearence for the season after a few months on the injury list and Linköping tested both their new goal-keepers.
Hammarby:                Hammarby spelade 1-1 mot Linköping
Linköping: Oavgjort i årspremiär

Trondheim Ørn - Umeå IK 0 - 0 (0-0)
Umeå:  Carola Söberg (46 Ulla-Karin Rönnlund) - Emma Berglund, Johanna Frisk, Anna Paulsson, Karolina Westberg (20 Maja Johansson) - Lisa Dahlqvist, Emelie Konradsson (46 Elaine), Lise Klaveness, June Pedersen (46 Maria Bergkvist) - Erika Karlsson, Madeleine Edlund
Umeå's first match in Trondheim was played on the evening after a 10 hour overland trip. They still started good, but when Westberg had to step off with a sprained foot already after 20 minutes, the Norwegians took over and were maybe the ones closest to a victory. Coach Jeglertz was satisfied with the defense, but the offense lacked both deep and width. Several players made their first match for Umeå, which might explain some nervousness. Marta rested with a sore thigh, everybody else got time on the field.

Trondheim Ørn - Umeå IK 1 - 3 (0-2)
Umeå: Carola Söberg - Emma Berglund, Johanna Frisk, Anna Paulsson, Maria Bergkvist (60 June Pedersen) - Lisa Dahlqvist, Elaine, Lise Klaveness, Marta - Erika Karlsson (Emelie Konradsson), Madeleine Edlund (75 Maja Johansson)
Goals:  0-1 Madeleine Edlund (20), 0-2 Erika Karlsson (30), 1-2 Ann Iren Mørkved (52 PK), 1-3 Marta (73)
In the second match against the Norwegian top side, the Umeå players were eager to go home with a win. A better attacking play with the outside defenders joining in and contributing with the width in the attacks. Erika Karlsson and Madeleine Edlund also cooperated better than the match before. The big difference was of course the precense of Marta, here as an attacking midfielder. Jeglertz once again satisfied with the defence and pointing out that the attack will be even better when Hanna Ljungberg, Ramona Bachman and Ma Xiaoxu joins in.
Adresseavisa: Kringen: - Vi er i rute
Adresseavisa: Den lille, store forskjellen
Umeå: En bra helg i Trondheim

When Umeå IK this weekend takes the trip to Norwegian Trondheim Ørn, they are picking up the cooperation the two clubs had in the late 1990's, but maybe now in different roles. "We learned a lot from Ørn" says Umeå manager Roland Arnqvist, "especially in our football development".
When they first met in Trondheim 1999, Umeå lost 8-1 and 11-2. Things have changed since then. The two times UEFA Cup winner is gearing up for their fourth UEFA Cup final later this year and is recognized as one of the best clubs in the world. Their budget is about three times as big as Trondheim's and when Umeå plays the home leg of the UEFA Cup final against Arsenal, Trondheim wiill be visiting Umeå to see and learn.
Adresseavisen: Verdens beste får Ørn-hjelp
Kvinnefotball.no: Ørn møter Umeå

Jitex defender Emma Herbring has, as mentioned here previously, moved to Malmö, following her boyfriend Ola Toivonen who made the transfer to Malmö FF late last year. Emma is training with Malmö FF, but a transfer has so far not been possible, as Jitex and Malmö FF are far from an agreement on a transfer fee.
But now there might be some movement in the negotiations. Malmö FF's sport director Hasse Borg tells tabloid Expressen that he has been talking to his counterpart with Malmö FF women, Kenny Jönsson. "We want Ola to be happy", Borg says and continues "It might take a couple of days or a week, but I think we'll find a solution to this". The SEK 60,000 Jitex demands for their contract with Emma Herbring is rather steep for a woman football player, but not that much for Malmö FF's men, who made a handsome SEK 15 million profit last year. Hasse Borg also points out that getting Emma to Malmö FF's women would benefit the men's side too: "It would be fun and nice for both Ola and the club. It's tempting to be able to market the club with a sky blue couple in love."
The happy two, who have been together since they went to the same football class in highschool, seems less excited in the prospect of being Malmö FF's poster couple. "There's nothing special with us", Ola says.
Expressen: Jitex ger inte upp kampen om Emma, Par i blått

Hanna Ljungberg's thigh injury, that has kept her from training since November last year, is now described as a chronic tendon inflammation. It's a problem that is common in the achilles tendon but much harder to treat in the thigh. Hanna is now following a special rehab programme with the goal to be able to train fully in April. "But I'm not hurrying this. I want to be completely recovered before I start playing", Hanna says.
Between her two daily rehab sessions, Hanna spends her time practising her physiotherapy skills on her teammates' bruises and swellings. Hanna started her physiotherapist training several years ago and has said that her plans is to get her diploma in 2010.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Ljungberg skadad – kan missa premiären
UIKfans: Dahlqvist i veckan

US Soccer has called up players for a pre-Algarve Cup training camp. Among the players are KIF Örebro's Keeley Dowling and Kacey White, last year with Bälinge, still unattached this season, but high up on the wish-lists for Bälinge and Linköping. Should any of these impress enough to make the Algarve Cup team, chances are we will not see them in Sweden this season, but rather in the US residency camp.
Ussoccer: U.S. Women Report to Training Camp From Feb. 14-21 to Prepare for 2007 Algarve Cup 

Norway has picked their squad for the Algarve Cup. Djurgården/Älvsjö's Bente Nordby and Kopparbergs/Göteborg's Ingvild Stensland are both on the list, but not Umeå's Lise Klaveness. But there isn't any drama  behind that decision. "We want to see a lot of players in action", explains national team head coach Bjarne Berntsen, who has picked four U23 players he wants to take a closer look at.
Fotball.no: - Kan tilføre laget mye

Umeå Södra FF has decided to put an end to their year-long cooperation agreement with Umeå IK. The agreement made it, among other things, possible forUmeå players to be loaned out to the 1st division side on short notice. Umeå IK wanted to continue the cooperation, but Umeå Södra made the decision after Umeå IK announced a new youth programme, targeted at young local talents. "If we are going to be able to compete for talent with Umeå IK, we must be able to offer them the chance to play in the 1st team", Umeå Södra's Robert Jonsson says.
Västerbottenskuriren: Umeå Södra bryter samarbetet med UIK

Contrary to the situation in Umeå, Bälinge has signed an agreement with 1st division side Gideonsberg. Gideonsberg's starting keeper Veronika Svensson signed up as back-up keeper with Bälinge (behind Maja Åström), but is still assured some time as a starter with her old club as the agreement makes short time loans possible.
Upsala Nya Tidning: Svensson klar för Bälinge

Kopparbergs/Göteborg - Stattena 4 - 1 (1-1)
Göteborg: Maria Edman - Maria Karlsson, Maria Nilsson, Sofia Karlsson, Marlene Sjöberg - Emmelie Farfa, Ingvild Stensland, Anna Andén, Frida Svensson - Sara Lindén, Sofie Andersson
Goals: 1-0 Sara Lindén (29), 2-1 Sofie Andersson (55), 3-1 Sara Lindén (73), 4-1 Cathrine Johansson
Kopparbergs/Göteborg played their first training match this season on their home (artificial) turf against 1st disision Stattena. Lotta Schelin and Salina Olsson was missing (on Cyprus with Sweden), but Ingvild Stensland (almost directly from Norway's Cyprus camp), played her first for the club. As a central midfielder (her preferred position - one of the reasons for her leaving Kolbotn was that she often had to play defense there) she impressed without really shining. But coach Martin Pringle was more than satisfied "She has been better than expected".
In Schelin's absence last season newcomer Sara Lindén could shine: she both scored and assisted and, as she herself pointed out, could have scored a couple of more. The last goal was scored be the only 15 years old sub Cathrine Johansson, usually playing for minor league Ytterby, but maybe something for Damallsvenskan already this year?
Göteborgsposten: Göteborg grejade premiären, Kanonstart för Sara Lindén

AIK - Sundsvalls DFF 2 - 0 (2-0)
AIK: Jenny Lundqvist - Madeleine Wedin, Sanna Valkonen (60 Hanna Jönck), Frida Höglund, Camilla Ulander Nilsson - Lina Hedkvist, Jessica Julin, Laura Kalmari, Anna Karlsson (75 Danielle Wallander) - Freja Egebrant, Sofia Simonsson
Goals: 1-0 Freja Egebrant (11), 2-0 Lina Hedqvist (39)
AIk played their third training match in a week and this time against an established 1st division club, Sundsvalls DFF. Coach Jörgen Zetterström was this time pleased with his team and the figures could have been greater. Laura Kalmari once again played midfield and was behind both AIK's goals.
Damfotboll.com: LÖRDAGENS MATCHER
AIK: AIK överlägsna på Skytteholm

KIF Örebro - Jitex 0 - 2
Örebro: Kristin Hammarström – Sandra Linder, Malin Nilsson, Ingrid Ericson, Emelie Brodin (Moa Åkesson) – Emelia Erixon (Jessica Ström), Lena Andersson, Marie Hammarström, Elin Magnusson – Marina Pettersson (Hanna Pettersson), Hodan Sid Ahmed (Qaroline Nähl)
With four starters missing (Stina Segerström and Caroline Näfver with Sweden at Cyprus, Keeley Dowling and Pavlina Scasna not joined the team yet), a lot of untried players got the chance. Örebro maybe had some problems changing from the small areas in the indoor game, but Jitex was also tougher and more motivated.
Nerikes Allehanda: KIF Örebro föll i utepremiären
Kif Örebro: 0-2 mot Jitex BK med spelytor, ungdomlig entusiasm och Re-warm up

Malmö FF - Brøndby 0 - 2 (0-2)
Malmö: Stephanie Öhrström - Emelie Ölander, Malin Levenstad, Emma Wilhelmsson, Nera Smajic - Lina Nilsson (60 Emma Herbring), Dóra Stefánsdóttir (65 Lina Rehov), Therese Jönsson, Nanna Johansen - Emma Stålhammar (70 Cecilia Kotte), Ásthildur Helgadóttir (46 Louise Östman)
With half the Malmö starters on national team assignments (besides Caroline Jönsson, Nilla Fischer, Therese Sjögran, Frida Nordin and Therese Lundin on Cyprus, Manon Melis is with the Dutch national team, preparing for a friendly against Italy) a full force Brøndby was to strong. But, as coach Petersson noted, it is good that national team players are gonme and other players have to step up. All Malmö players that were fit also got time on the field. Noteable appearences from "guests" Asthildur Helgadottir (you could notice that she is a long way from match fit) and Emma Nerbring (still a Jitex player, but has permision to train and play training matches with Malmö FF).
Malmö FF: Taggat Brøndby vann över splittrat hemmalag.

Hammarby - SC Raisio 10 - 0 (3-0)
Hammarby: Pernilla Eberyd - Anna Lindblom, Elin Sölveskog, Josefin Christensen, Therese Dahlberg - Malin Nykvist, Therese Sandström - Andrea Comaneci, Lollo Fors, Lisa Björkvik - Jessica Landström
Goals: Lollo Fors 3, Marijke Callebaut 3, Elin Sölveskog, Therese Sandström, Jessica Landström, Jennie Jonsson
Hammarby continues to try out their 4-2-3-1 formation and it seems to work. The difference between Swedish and Finnish top leagues is big, but usually not this big. Assistant coach Daniel Kalles-Pettersson was especially satisfied with the dedication of the team, even towards the end of the match, when the lead was huge.
Hammarby: Storseger för Hammarby mot finska SCR

Sweden - Scotland 1 - 0 (0-0)
Sweden: Sofia Lundgren (46 Carola Söberg) - Anna Paulsson, Hanna Marklund (46 Karolina Westberg), Stina Segerström, Caroline Näfver - Salina Olsson (77 Caroline Seger),  Victoria Svensson (69 Therese Sjögran), Nilla Fischer - Josefine Öqvist (46Frida Nordin), Therese Lundin (69 Maria Aronsson), Lotta Schelin.
Goals: 1-0 Nilla Fischer (79)
National team head coach Thomas Dennerby was very pleased with his team after the match: "This was really, really good". Sweden was completely superior in an intense, high-paced match with tough duels.
"I think they managed to get over to our side of the field a total of three times in the second half", Dennerby  tried to explain the lack of goals, "so it was pretty crowded on Scotland's side". Since Carola Söberg's national team debut occured in the second half, it also became rather laid back without any opportunities to prove herself.
Scotland's attacking game lost it's driving force when Arsenal striker Julie Fleeting was forced to step off in half-time after a collision early in the first half.
Svensk Fotboll: Dam: Fischer segerskytt
Damfotboll.com: Nillas första blev segermål mot Skottland

Going to the week long training camp, Dennerby had stated that they were not there to win matches. Just before going away, the team had their yearly fitness tests and the camp continued with a focus on the traditional Swedish strength and fitness preseason training. They even had a training session only hours before the kick-off for the Scotland match.
In a couple of interviews before the camp, Dennerby addressed the question of the retirement of Malin Moström, Anna Sjöström and Linda Fagerström (277 caps between them). "When four midfielders leaves [he also mentions Djurgården's Elin Ekblom, who turned down any further national team assignments a couple of weeks ago], it makes the selection easier. [...] When this happens, usually somebody else steps forward and blossoms. I'm primarily thinking of Therese Sjögran. She might take that last step". Also Frida Östberg, by the way very emotional over the absence of her close friends Malin and Anna, pointed at Sjögran: "She has always excelled on training, but she has been moved around a lot in the team and maybe hasn't felt secure. I believe a lot in her."
Damfotboll.com: Fullt tryck när tjejerna fystestades på Bosön
Göteborgsposten: Tuffa Frida saknar "Mosa" i landslaget
uikfans.se: Intervju med Dennerby

It's the middle of February and a lot of clubs has more or less closed the door for new signings, among them Umeå IK. Umeå declared the squad set for the season after the recent signings Ma Xiaoxu and Ramona Bachman. Their 19 player roster has 9 forwards, but only 5 defenders ...

Still, some are not satisfied. Iceland's national team captain Asthildur Helgadottir is reported to be training with Malmö FF. But Malmö's coach Petersson explains that she is just training with the team during a short visit. On the other hand, the reason for her visit seems to be job interviews. And with a job in Malmö, Asta will almost certainly be playing for Malmö FF.
They're building a new football stadium in Malmö. Wouldn't that be something for Ms Helgadottir, Master of Engineering with a specialization in building mechanics?
Sydsvenskan: MFF hoppas på Asta

Linköping is still looking for that defensive midfielder. On top of their most recent list are English players. "The English league is very interesting", says sport director Bengt Ekholm. The two top names seems to be  Fara Williams (Everton) and Jayne Ludlow (Arsenal), with Ludlow as the front runner. Since Williams is playing for England, concerns for the World Cup might be more important for her. Ludlow is Welsh and doesn't have that kind of problems.
Corren:  Englandsstjärnor av intresse för LFC

And you can, once again, find a curiously vague comment from Ma Xiaoxu on the move to Umeå, this time at the website of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation): "I am negotiating with the Swedish club (Allsvenskan). But any transfer decision will depend on my current club Dalian Shide and the China Football Association". AFC also gives the interesting information, that Ma is offered a US$ 5,000 monthly salary by Umeå.
AFC: China beat Russia in women's friendly

The Nigerian national team players Maureen Mmadu and Faith Ikidi, who both played for Qbik last year, has signed for 1st division promotion hopefulls Eskilstuna United.
Qbik's chairman Lars-Inge Hallstensson is surprised, but still not. "I knew the player's agent was talking to other clubs, among them Falköpings KIK." Qbik made a deal with the Nigerian FA's general secretary Fanny Amun, that Qbik would take back the players in spite of their contract violation last year. In return, NFA should give financial guarantees. No such guarantees has yet appeared. "This shows that a deal with the Nigerian Football Association isn't worth anything", Hallstensson concludes.
In Eskilstuna, the club's coach Leif Edeborg was just as surprised, when the player's agent contacted him last Thursday. They managed to find sponsors over the weekend and could finalize the deal yesterday. "We've been in contact with Kjell Pettersson [who coached Qbik last year] and he recommended us to sign them. This is players with World Cup and Olympic experience. We are very happy to be able to get them."
Värmlands Folkblad: Två av Qbiks nigerianskor har skrivit på för Eskilstuna i norrettan
Eskilstunakuriren: United värvar två landslagsstjärnor

Sweden - Japan 2 - 2 (2-1)
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson - Frida Östberg, Hanna Marklund, Karolina Westberg (61 Stina Segerström), Sara Thunebro - Maria Karlsson (74 Frida Nordin), Caroline Seger (71 Salina Olsson), Therese Sjögran (61 Nilla Fischer), Josefine Öqvist - Victoria Svensson (71 Therese Lundin), Lotta Schelin (46 Maria Aronsson).
Goals: 1-0 Lotta Schelin (23), 1-1 Miyama (25), 2-1 Therese Sjögran (34 PK), 2-2 Arakawa (79)
Considering that the Swedish team arrived at Cyprus only the day before the Monday match, directly from the strict preseason training regiment at home, coach Dennerby deemed the performance satisfying against a Japan that is gearing up for their deciding World Cup qualifiers against Mexico next month.
Sweden took the lead as Lotta Schelin scored from a clever Sjögran pass but Japan could almost immideately equalize. Therese Sjögran then gave Sweden the lead again on a penalty kick after a Japanese defender handballed. Towards the end Japan took over the match and the 79th minute equalizer wasn't unexpected. "We didn't manage to keep the play up at the end of the match and lost a few simple balls", comments Thomas Dennerby, who still was satisfied with the performance over the full 90 minutes, "considering it is very early on the season". The numerous substitutions in the second half also made the Swedish game a bit more disorganised, but then substitutions is an essential part of these kind of matches.
Dennerby coped with the retirement of midfielders Moström, Sjöström and Fagerström by starting with an expected Seger/Sjögran centre with Linköping's speedy Maria Karlsson and Josefine Öqvist on the wings. Lotta Schelin took rehabbing Hanna Ljungberg's spot in the attack, but had to step down already at the halftime recess with groin pains. She said it was mostly precaution and she should be all right for the Scotland match later this week.
Victoria Svensson has inherited Malin Moström's captain's armband and was replaced in that part by Hanna Marklund when she was substituted late in the second half.
Expressen: Oavgjort för Sverige
Svensk Fotboll: 2-2 mot Japan
UEFA: Sweden start new era with draw

Kif Örebro defeated Damallsvenskan newcomers Falköpings KIK 7-3 in the Swedish Futsal Championships to win their third straight indoor gold. Goals by Marie Hammarström (3), Lena Andersson, Hodan Siid-Ahmed and Emelia Erixon (2), but most important was probably goalkeeper Kristin Hammarström, with her fast and attacking play beside her traditional good goalkeeping. Sandra Krantz (2) and Linnea Liljegärd scored for Falköping.
Most Damallsvenskan sides doesn't compete in the futsal tournament, since in interfers with their preseason build-up, but Örebro coach Pia Sundhage finds room to do both. She has earlier stated that some aspects of futsal, the speed and the technical demands on the players, are good for their outdoor game. And it is also important to learn to win.
Svensk Fotboll: SM i Futsal, damer
Damfotboll.com: Tredje SM-guldet för KIF Örebro
Nerikes Allehanda: Tredje raka SM-guldet till KIF Örebro

The teams are slowly getting out on the big fields for their first preseason matches.  Malmö FF's early February première was this wekend followed by the Stockholm sides AIK, Djurgården/Älvsjö and Hammarby and in the far north Sunnanå found their way to the indoor but full size pitch at Arcushallen. Some comforting and some slightly worrying results for the clubs, but this is still early days.

AIK - Gamla Upsala SK  4 - 0 (0-0)
AIK: Jenny Lundqvist - Anna Karlsson (34 Jessica Julin), Madeleine Wedin, Camilla Ulander Nilsson, Hanna Jöhnk - Lina Hedkvist, Laura Kalmari, Sanna Valkonen, Anna Törnvall - Freja Egebrant, Sofia Simonsson
Goals: 1-0 Lina Hedkvist (52), 2-0 Camilla Ulander Nilsson (58), 3-0 Freja Egebrant (76), 4-0 Lina Hedkvist (79)
Gamla Upsala SK, or Gusk as they are usually known as, is a 2nd division club that finished last season winning promotion to the 1st. This is still a side that even last years, unloaded version of AIK should have had no problems with. A bit worrying then, that the re-loaded AIK was held goalless for the entire first half. There were more luck in front of goal in the second half with Laura Kalmari (curiously put in the midfield) setting up two of the goals and it ended in a comfortable win. Sofia Lundgren was called up for the Swedish national team, but otherwise all AIK's high profile signings participated.
AIK: Komfortabel seger i första träningsmatchen
Damfotboll.com: Flygande start för AIK

Malmö FF - Östers IF 7 - 2 (5-2)
Malmö: Stéphanie Öhrström - Therese Jönsson (Jenny Engwall), Malin Levenstad (Lina Rehov), Emma Wilhelmsson, Nera Smajic (Emelie Ölander) - Frida Nordin (Emma Stålhammar), Nilla Fischer (Cecilia Kotte), Therese Sjögran (Dóra Stefánsdóttir), Nanna Johansen - Therese Lundin (Louise Östman), Manon Melis
Goals: 1-0 Nanna Johansen (15), 2-2 Manon Melis (22), 3-2 Therese Lundin (28), 4-2 Frida Nordin (37), 5-2 Manon Melis (39), 6-2 Louise Östman (51), 7-2 Louise Östman (67)
After a chaotic start for Malmö with missed passes, bad communication and an own goal, they were down 1-2 against the 1st division club Öster after 20 minutes. But they worked themselves back and had according to coach Petersson "30 minutes of brilliant football". Even after the extensive substitutions in halftime, when the four players that would join the national team camp at Cyprus left the field, Malmö continued to dominate. The two new for the year forwards Melis and Östman scored their first goals for the team. Caroline Jönsson rested and Stéphanie Öhrström, usually with Malmö's local competitors Husie IF, tended the goal, which might indicate that she will fill the back-up position for Linköping bound Jenny Olsson.
Malmö FF: Storseger och stundtals värmande spel, pictures, more pictures
Sydsvenskan: Målexplosion av MFF-damer


Alvik - Sunnanå SK  1 - 3 (0-2)
Goals: 0-1 Lisa Renberg, 0-2 Jenny Marklund, 1-3 Emma Jonsson
Alvik, relegated from 1st division after last season, hosted as usual a winter mini-tournament in Arcushallen.
With some minor injuries (Maria Nordbrandt, Sanna Frostevall and Mirjam Marklund) as well as several players going to or coming from national team duties (Hanna Marklund for Sweden, Rebecca Smith for New Zealand and Maggie Esseryd for the Lappish national team), Sunnanå fielded a mostly Sörböle (Sunnanå's farm club) team, but were still pretty comfortable. Goalscorers Lisa Renberg and Jenny Marklund are both new signings for 2007.
Norra Västerbotten: Premiärvinst för Sunnanå

Sunnanå - Grand Bodø 2 - 1 (2-1)
Goals: 1-0 Lina Johansson, 2-1 Rebecca Smith
In their second match this weekend Sunnanå played Norwegian premier division side Grand Bodø. Sunnanå still fielded a pretty young team, but Rebecca Smith was now deemed fit enough after her transglobal journey and scored the deciding goal. Coach Isaksson was all in all very pleased with his team's performance, especially with some of his young new recruits like Lisa Renberg and Josefin Johansson.
Norra Västerbotten: Sunnanå styrde, ställde och vann

Hammarby - Djurgården/Älvsjö 2 - 1 (1-0)
Hammarby: Katarina Wicksell - Annica Svensson, Elin Sölveskog, Karolina Rinman, Josefin Christensen - Jennie Jonsson, Malin Nykvist - Therese Sandström, Lollo Fors, Marijke Callebaut - Lisa Björkvik
Djurgården: Sofia Åhman - Dorte Dalum Jensen, Jane Törnqvist, Therese Brogårde, Malin Engdahl (46 Anna Lagerberth) - Kristin Bengtsson, Anna Hall, Linda Forsberg, Anne-Marie Norlin - Emma Lundh, Elin Ekblom
Goals: 1-0 Louise Fors, 1-1 Dorte Dalum Jensen, 2-1 Therese Sandström
A decimated Djurgården, missing their national team players Bente Nordby, Sara Thunebro and Victoria Svensson, had to call in players fron the farm club Älvsjö AIK to fill the bench. The club still only has 15 players contracted for 2007. Hammarby on the other hand only sems to be missing Sara Johansson (rehabbing after a stress fracture late last season) and tried out their new 4-2-3-1 formation, where I suppose the forward 1 is for Sara when she returns. Djurgården had, as so often when these two meet, the ball most of the time, but Hammarby's 4-2 in the defense made it difficult for Djurgården to break through. In Hammarby's attack Louise Fors made it difficult for Djurgården's defense and close to the halftime break she created a penalty for herself to kick in goal. Dorte Dalum equalised in the middle of the second half, assisted by Elin Ekblom but Therese Sandström could give Hammarby a not undeserved win on a longshot with 10 minutes left. Hammarby's new coach Anders Bengtsson was not surpring very pleased, singling out Annica Svensson and Louise Fors for special praise, while Djurgården was more quiet about the match.
Djurgården/Älvsjö: Mål av Dorte räckte inte
Hammarby: Hammarby sänkte Djurgården/Älvsjö

16 year old Swiss forward talent Ramona Bachman, who has been offered a contract after her try-out at Umeå IK, has decided to join the Swedish champions. Umeå's coach Andrée Jeglertz calls her an exceptional talent and says that she in spite of her young age is ready to compete for a starting position in the team. She will join Umeå March 1 and is contracted until the end of the 2007 season in November.
Bachman's Swiss club, SC LUwin.ch, has confirmed the transfer. Ramona is the third player from the Swiss champions that has left the club for international play recently.
Umeå IK: Ramona Bachmann väljer UIK!
SC LUwin.ch: Bachmann geht zum UEFA-Cupfinalisten UMEA

The Chinese Football Association has given green light for Ma Xiaoxu to join Umeå. Umeå's management is working hard to finalize visa and residence permit for the young player, who they hope will be able to join the team by the end of the month.
Svt: Klartecken för Umeås kinesiska stjärna
Fifa.com: Ma Xiaoxu set for Umea move

And those of you, who are interested and have the neccesary proficiency in Chinese, can (thank's to Markus Juchem at womensoccer.de) find Ma's own blog at http://blog.sina.com.cn/m/maxiaoxu. If you drop her February 6 entry in the Babelfish, you will get mostly rubbish, but still be able to understand that she is somewhat bewildered. Makes you wonder if she ever took part in the contract negotiations herself.

While Umeå IK 's management is brooding over how to make their chinese teenager Ma Xiaoxu as comfortable as possible, perhaps finding a host family for her, Ma herself is happy but a bit surprised in today's issue of China Daily. She was not aware that the Swedish champions had reported the transfer as a done deal and hopes that the Chinese Football Association and her club Dalian Shide will let her go. "I don't even know when to apply for the visa", she says.
It doesn't seem like Umeå will have any problems with the Chinese FA: "It is good news. The transfer will help her improve. The CFA will let her go abroad", states a CFA official.
Västerbottenskuriren: "Ma bör inte bo ensam"
China Daily: Ma Xiaoxu set to move to Sweden
Big thanks to David at www.womensfootball.eu for the Chinese tip!

Malmö FF's back-up keeper Jenny Olsson has signed a 1 year contract with Linköping FC, replacing injured Hedvig Lindahl. The 21 year old says she's happy to get a starting position for such a good team as Linköping.
Corren: Jenny Olsson klar för LFC

Kopparbergs/Göteborg defender Frida Höglund has after lengthy negotiations joined her teammate Jessica Julin in making the move to AIK. Since Höglund had a contract with Göteborg also for the 2007 season, the transfer wasn't completely uncomplicated and it isn't unlikely that AIK had to pay some kind of compensation. Göteborg is looking at players from 1st division side Holmalund, that just days ago decided to leave their spot in the 1st division because of financial problems, and international players.
Kopparbergs/Göteborg: Frida Höglund klar för AIK

And this is not really Damallsvenskan news any more, but Linda Fagerström, who retired from the national team and Djurgården/Älvsjö late last year, has signed for the 1st division club Bollstanäs. Bollstanäs, one of Djurgården/Älvsjö's cooperation clubs in the Stockholm area, is also the club where Linda once started playing.
Damfotboll.com: Linda tillbaka till Bollstanäs

When Ma Xiaoxu signed her deal with Umeå IK, she also got a major personal contract with the big sports company Puma. And without that, Umeå probably wouldn't have been able to afford her. "It would have been hard", admits Umeå manager Roland Arnqvist. "We've been working with Puma for maybe 15 years and when Ma told me that she didn't have any personal sponsor contract, I suggested Puma".
Puma usually doesn't comment on contracts, but "international teamsport business unit manager" (now, that's something to put on your business card!) Filip Trulsson at Puma's headquarters in Nürnberg confirms that they have helped finance the deal with Ma. "When Roland speaks, you listen" he says "Umeå has repositioned women's football in Sweden on their own. If they say they have found a really good player, we're interested in helping out. And it is interesting from a marketing perspective that the World Cup is played in China later this year."
The Chinese market angle might be valuable for Umeå too. Ma, first woman to be named rookie of the year in China, is a big name back home and only hours after the news broke a Chinese television company was on the phone to Roland Arnqvist, inquiring over the possibilities to broadcast the UEFA Women's Cup final in China.
Arnqvist admits that neither he nor coach Jeglertz has seen Ma playing other than on TV. "We are pretty sure we are not making a mistake. A player with her resumé doesn't need to make a try-out." Ma Xiaoxu will arrive in Umeå February 20 and hopefully make her first appearence for Umeå IK in the training matches against Trondheim Ørn in Norway, February 23 and 25.
Västerbottenskuriren: Puma-pengar säkrar Kinas stjärna, Största kapet sedan Marta, Ma "Tjaåtjo" gör debut i Norge
Västerbottens Folkblad: Kinesisk supertalang relativt billig, En riktig drömvärvning – ekonomiskt sett

Linköping FC will not offer trialist Jill Oakes a contract. "She is not what we needs and wants", says sport director Bengt Ekholm.The club explains further that it wouldn't be fair to Oakes to bring her over, when they can't promise her a position as a starter.
Linköping FC is close to sign a deal with Tiffeny Milbrett - "only formalities left" - but is still looking for another top player. And in the wake of Umeå's recent signing of Ma Xiaoxu, a Chinese player might be an alternative.
Corren: LFC sa nej till Oakes

After her training only a week with Umeå, the Swedish champions are certain: "We want Ramona Bachman now. She is good enough to compete for a starting position already this spring." The club has presented Bachman a contract offer and hopes to get a reply later this week.
Västerbottenskuriren: Umeå IK vill ha supertalangen

Umeå IK has finally found their new star player. Today the club announced the signing of China's 19 year old forward Ma Xiaoxu, calling it "the biggest transfer to Swedish football since Marta". The young player, nicknamed "Sun Wen jr" at home, made her debut for the Chinese national team already at 17.
"Ma is a world class player and already an established name in China", says manager Roland Arnqvist, who just as head coach Andrée Jeglertz is thrilled by getting Ma's signature. "She is a fantastic player with phenomenal speed and technique", says Jeglertz who is excited to see her together with Umeå's other forwards, "where there already is a bit of speed and technique."
The contract is from February 20 until August 20 with an option for Ma to return for the last Damallsvenskan matches and the UEFA Women's Cup matches after the World Cup.
Västerbottenskuriren: UIK:s stjärnvärvning: Kinesiskan Ma
Umeå IK: Världsspelare klar för Umeå IK!
You can find some background info on Ma at FIFA.com: My 2006: Ma Xiaoxu

Arsenal LFC has announced that the UEFA Women's Cup final second leg will be played at Arsenal's traditional home field in Borehamwood on April 29 and not at Emirates stadium, as earlier announced. Appearently the problem is Arsenal's men's match against Fulham April 28. Sky Sport has aquired the TV rights and the match can be moved from Saturday to Sunday depending on TV scheduling.
"It would have been great for players and fans if the match had been played at Emirates" says Roland Arnqvist, "but is hasn't any consequences for the game."
Västerbottens Folkblad: Umeå IK platsar inte i finrummet
Arsenal.com: UEFA Women's Cup Final: Arsenal v Umeå