Damallsvenskan Newsblog

Djurgården/Älvsjö has had Danish international Dorte Dalum Jensen injured since before the season, but it looks like she's approaching a come-back. Anne-Marie Norlin is also coming back from a rather long injury period. And Laura Kalmari got married.

Two Malmö FF players, defenders Dora Stefansdottir and Malin Levenstad, suffered sever injuries during the summer, broken arm (the bicycle kick can be a dangerous move) and broken leg (U19 European Championships can be dangerous too). These two girls (20 and 17 years old) has been starters the entire season, sort of replacing Denise Reddy and Malin Andersson and will be missed. On the other hand, Asthildur Helgadottir's long distance commuting from Iceland will continue the entire season, thanks to an understanding employer and a few companies willing to sponsor. And Asta's convincing her icelandic club Breidablikk that she really needs to play on a higher level than the Icelandic league. They have also signed the Danish talented winger Nanna Johansen, who has 20 matches with the Danish national team in spite of being only 19. Initially this is a short term deal over only July and August, sort of a very long try-out.

Tiffeny Milbrett is coming back to Damallsvenskan. As soon as her committment with Vancouver Whitecaps in the W-league is finished, she will join Linköping. She says enjoyed her stay in Sweden last year and is looking forward to play in Damallsvenskan again, this time in a club competing for a top position.

Kopparbergs/Göteborg lost national team midfielder Johanna Almgren to a knee injury in early July and she might be out for the rest of the season. Defender Sofia Palmqvist leaves the team and Sweden for college in USA. On the other hand they have managed to get the promising forward Emmelie Farfa from 1st division club Holmalund on loan for the rest of the season.

Hammarby's defender Caitlin Fisher left the club, as planned, after the first six matches to return to USA and Boston Renegades.

Czech star Pavlina Scasna joined as planned KIF Örebro July 1 and immediately made an impact.

Bälinge had to let Kacey White leave for USA national team camp during August - it was part of the initial deal that should White get called up the club would let her go. On the other hand they've managed to capture Amy Vermeulen, from Ottawa Fury that reached the final in the W-league Championships. They are hoping Vermeulen, a strong target player type, will better their dismal scoring statistics (8 in 12 matches, half of them by Kacey White).

Jitex' goalkeeper Anna Rehnlund has had back problems for a long time and has now been told by her doctor that she has to quit playing. Rehnlund has been the main reson why Jitex so far has managed to stay above the relegation line and will be severly missed. Their young forward Katya Salguero is leaving for college studies (and playing some ball, I presume) in USA. They are looking to strengthen their squad and as most lower half teams they are looking at the other side of the Atlantic. The club has signed a Kathy Ericsson, a 25 year old American who has moved to Sweden after marrying a Swedish man. I have no information on her, but if she's as good as they say, she must have made an impact on the college scene in USA. They have also signed two Ottawa Fury midfielders; Leah Robinsson, who has played for Canada and Stacey Stocco, with experience from the Australian youth national teams.

Qbik's goalie Maria Busk broke her foot on training and the club is trying to find a replacement. At the moment they are looking at Maria Yatrakis, Greek national team player, recently at University of Connecticut and Long Island Lady Riders in the W-league. They've signed a short term contract with her as a long try-out. Germany's national team forward Anja Mittag joined the team July 1.

Mallbacken, in what local press describes as their search for a new Lindsay Greco (last year's successfull summer signing), has signed forward Kristi Swaving, with lots of goals and awards playing for Michigan Hawks (successfull W-league club) and Oakland university. They've also had Elizabeth Dauble (Villanova university) trying out for the team, but she wasn't quite what they' were looking for.