Damallsvenskan Newsblog

Umeå IK's other Brazilian, Elaine, says that she has agreed with her club to stay for another year. She has had other offers, includiung from USA clubs, but feels at home in Umeå. The Brazilian World Cup defender, that usually is found in Umeå's midfield, is very pleased with her 2007 season: "It's my best since I moved to Europe" and thinks that she should have been nominated for best midfielder of the year. Even if she somewhat lives in Marta's shadow, she doesn't think there is any competition between them: "We come from the same country, we play for the same national team and the same club. We help and support each other. We don't compete".
Västerbottenskuriren: Elaine - proffs kluvet av längtan hem

In nother Umeå news, Hanna Folkesson, recently named MVP in the 1st division north, has decided to turn dowm Umeå IK and several other Damallsvenskan sides to stay with newly promoted Umeå Södra FF. "It seems like Södra is a better alternative for me. I feel at home here and I will get more playing time than with Umeå IK".
Umeå Södra has so far about ten players signed for their first damallsvenskan season 2008. They are working hard to reinforce their team for next season and are currently looking at the international market. No names mentioned though.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Södra ute efter nyförvärv, ...fick Hanna att stanna

To continue with the Umeå angle, former Umeå player and long-time Swedish international Frida Östberg has decided to leave Linköping FC. She hasn't decided if she wants to continue playing at all, but if Sweden qualifies for the Olympic games next year, the chances increase. Linköping's manager Anders Mäki says Frida's leaving is a loss for the club, not only on the field but also outside where she has been the club's big poster-name.
If Östberg continues in Damallsvenskan, the rumour is that she will join her former Umeå coach Richard Holmlund at Kif Örebro.
Corren: Frida Östberg lämnar LFC

Another Linköping player, forward Maria Aronsson, also seems to be on her way out. She still hasn't been offered a contract by the club and she has been in touch with other clubs, including a visit to AIK.
Aronsson was the club's best goalscorer 2007 with 9 goals and Linköping needs to strengthen their attack, but keeping Aronsson doesn't seem to be a top priority. They have made an verbal offer to Sweden's newborn star Jessica Landström, on her way from Hammarby, but they are not the only ones that are interested. But manager Mäki thinks that Djurgården, that are probably their main competitors here, already has strained their wage budget to the limit with the signings of Hingst, Svensson and Angerer.
Corren: Ovisst för Aronsson: "Vad ska man göra?"