Damallsvenskan Newsblog

Umeå's star striker Hanna Ljungberg might miss the Damallsvenskan season opener against Malmö FF on Easter Monday, due to the injuries she recieved in a national team game two weeks ago.

The collision with France's goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi in the last Algarve Cup match left her with a serious concussion and she has only just recently been allowed by her doctors to get up from bed and to leave her apartment. She will travel with her Umeå team to their Turkey training camp this week, but she will not be allowed to participate in any training. "I still get very, very tired from doing very little", she says.
Svt: Allsvensk premiär i fara för Hanna, video clip

Goals: 0-1 Jenny Monsén, 0-2 Jenny Monsén, 0-3 Erla Arnardottir
Mallbacken went to Norway to play Fart from the Norwegian 2nd tier. A good first half got exchanged for tired legs in the second. Still a promising performance.
Mallbacken: Vinst mot Fart i Norge

Bälinge rested a handfull of starters from the match against Gideonsberg. Despite having the majority of the possession, they came to very few finishes and were punished in the second half by the 1st division side Sundsvall, that is now on a 5 game winning streak.
Damfotboll.com: Sundsvalls DFF skrällde mot allsvenska Bälinge
Uppsala Nya Tidning: Målskyttet måste bli bättre Bälinge

A goalless draw that surprisingly didn't seem to leave any of the team's coaches disappointed. Hammarby tried out this year's American import, defender Caitlin Fisher (former Harvard and Boston Renegades). Örebro's coach Pia Sundhage declared herself pleases with the defense, but the team needs to work a lot on finishing.
Damfotboll.com
KIF Örebro
Uppsala Nya Tidning: Mustonen målade för Bälinge - och "Jossan" mot Bälinge

Sweden - France 1-0 (0-0)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl Linköping FC - Frida Östberg Linköping FC, Hanna Marklund Sunnanå SK, Stina Segerström KIF Örebro, Maria Bergkvist Umeå IK - Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö, Therese Sjögren Malmö FF, Malin Moström Umeå IK (62 Caroline Seger Linköping FC), Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC - Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö (62 Salina Ohlsson Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK (75 Anna Sjöström Umeå IK).
Goals: 1-0 Lotta Schelin (51)
"We're playing better and better for each match", commented Thomas Dennerby after the bronze match against France. The defense was efficient and disciplined and the midfield play showed a good passing play, which has been one of the weaknesses in the earlier matches. France had problems getting any real foothold at the Swedish part of the field and often had to relent to chasing the long ball. After Sweden took the lead in the second half - nicely executed by Lotta Schelin after a Malin Moström pass put her almost alone with the french goalie - the French side began to show an increasingly bad temper. Four of the five yellows in the match were for protesting against the referee.

Towards the end of the game Hanna Ljungberg was hurt badly in a collision with the French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi. Ljungberg came running after a long ball towards the french goal and headed the ball, while Bouhaddi came in late and headed the Swedish striker in the face. The bleeding Ljungberg was taken off the field and to a nearby hospital while Bouhaddi recieved a red card for reckless play. Late news from the hospital says that Hanna Ljungberg did not suffer any broken bones, which had been a concern initially, and will probably be back on the field within short.

Västerbottenskuriren: Ljungberg förd till sjukhus
Aftonbladet: Ljungberg knockad – akut till sjukhus
Expressen: Ljungberg knockad blodig - förd till sjukhus
Dagens Nyheter: Ny undersökning av Ljungberg i morgon
SVT: Hanna Ljungberg till sjukhus

Other matches
Norway defeats China 1-0, finishing 5th in the tournament, with both Bente Nordby (Djurgården/Älvsjö) and Lise Klaveness (Umeå) playing the full 90. Finland defeat Mexico 4-3 in the 7th place match with four Damallsvenskan goals: Laura Kalmari (Djurgården/Älvsjö) scoring 2 and Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (Linköping) and Anne Mäkinen (Umeå) 1 each. So far unlucky Denmark had no problems with Ireland, winning 4-0, with Djurgården's Katrine Pedersen and Dorte Dalum Jensen playing the full match.

The Swedish Football Association has reached a new contract regarding TV-rights for matches. For the first time the contract includes compensation for the Damallsvenskan matches, SEK 10 millions a year for 5 years.

It is not yet decided how the money will be distributed among the clubs, but one suggestion is to put some of the money aside as price money in the Swedish Cup. Umeå IK's general manager Roland Arnquist argues that the clubs that have big attendance and perform well in the league should get the most of the money. A decision will be made by the end of March.

SVT: TV-avtal ger damklubbar 50 miljoner
Umeå IK: Umeå IK inte nöjd - vill ha mer reklampengar

After an inspection of Umeå's home field, Gammliavallen, UEFA officials announced that the arfificial turf does not fullfill FIFA regulations. When tested, the turf proved to be to fast. This means that Umeå IK will not be able to play their UEFA Women's Cup matches in Umeå.

Umeå had a controversy around the field before the UEFA Cup final against FFC Frankfurt in 2004, which ended by the final home leg being moved to Stockholm. The UEFA decision might cost Umeå considerable incomes from gate reciepts and advertisments. It also means that the field doesn't meet the requirements for Damallsvenskan matches, but Umeå can most likely rely on a dispensation from the Swedish FA in that case.

The city of Umeå, that owns the arena, says they will get back to the company that supplied the artificial turf and demand that they attend to the faults.

SVT: Umeås konstgräs håller inte måttet
Västerbottenskuriren: Glöm Gammlia, UIK

Sweden - Finland 4-1 (1-0)
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson Malmö FF - Sara Larsson Linköping FC (76 Maria Bergkvist Umeå IK), Hanna Marklund Sunnanå SK, Karolina Westberg Umeå IK, Caroline Näfver KIF Örebro - Anna Sjöström Umeå IK, Caroline Seger Linköping FC (62 Therese Sjögran Malmö FF), Malin Moström Umeå IK (82 Frida Östberg LInköping FC), Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö - Therese Lundin Malmö FF (62 Salina Olsson Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö.
Goals: 1-0 Victoria Svensson (25), 2-0 Victoria Svensson (51), 2-1 Sanna Valkonen (65 PK), 3-1 Malin Moström (70), 4-1 Victoria Svensson (85)
After two goalless preformances, Sweden, and more precisely Victoria Svensson, finally found the goal. Finland is the weakest team in the group, and used to losing to Sweden, but most important for the Swedish victory was that the team is beginning to play better football. Faster, more creative, better passing. And Victoria Svensson in great form.
Finland used their most Swedish line-up så far with Sanna Valkonen (Umeå IK), Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (Linköping FC), Anne Mäkinen (Umeå IK), Jessica Julin (Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC), Minna Mustonen (Bälinge) and Laura Kalmari (Djurgården/Älvsjö)
Damfotboll.com: Hat-trick av "Vickan" mot Finland

Other matches
Another big loss for Denmark, this time 0-6 against China. Djurgården's Katrine Pedersen and Dorte Dalum Jensen came on at half-time, when the score was 0-4, but couldn't change Denmark's fate. Norway, Umeå's Lise Klaveness playing 82 minutes, almost managed to snatch a point from Germany, but was defeated by an extratime goal.

A lot of players are away from their clubs this weekend, with the national team in Algarve, with the U21 in France or with the U19 in La Manga. Still some clubs have scheduled training matches. But the winter is long this year, with sub-zero temperatures and snow in the entire country. Umeå IK cancelled their planned training game with Umeå Södra and Hammarby their AIK match. Those played:

Öster - Linköping 0-2 (0-0)
Linköping (starters): Camilla Johansson - Maria Lindström, Charlotte Rohlin, Marie-Louise Skålberg, Eva Skärby - Linda Molander, Linnéa Bjärud, Frida Carlswärd, Sandra Landberg - Ann Westermark, Josefine Öqvist.
Goals: 0-1 Josefine Öqvist (58), Josefine Öqvist (64)
Linköping, with 8 players on different national team assignments, showed up with a lot of reserves and farm team players. The big difference between Linköping and 1st division Öster was Ann Westermark and Jiosefine Öqvist in the attack.
Corren: Öqvist avgjorde för decimerat LFC
Linköping FC: 2-0-seger igen för LFC  

Bälinge - Danmark 2-1 (1-0)
Bälinge: Christina Lundholm - Malin Ericsson, Nera Smajic, Linn Fors, Karolina Mats - Heidi Matinlassi, Mona Najib, Maria Thuré - Anna Bergendal, Emma Lindqvist, Madelene Hagberg
Goals: 1-0 Emma Lindqvist (2), 2-1 Lisa Wikner (70).
Bälinge, with a couple of players away on national team assignments and their American reinforcemants not to arrive for yet a few weeks, played the local competitor Danmarks IF, controlled the match, but had problems scoring.
Bälinge: Bälinge vann över Danmarks IF
Uppsala Nya Tidning: Nyförvärv målskytt när Bälinge slog Danmark

KIF Örebro - Kopparberg/Göteborg  0-0 (0-0)
Kopparbergs/Göteborg: Bodil Sjans (46 Maria Edman) - Marlene Sjöberg, Frida Höglund, Sofia Dammström, Maria Nilsson - Rut Hellsing (75 Linnea Löving), Jennie Svensson, Frida Thydén, Sofia Palmqvist, Rebecca Ljungdahl - My Hjelm (46 Caroline Broqvist)
Both teams suffered from the national team call-ups; Örebro was missing seven players and had to bring in a goalkeeper from the club's boy's team while Göteborg brought four players from their farm club Sandarne. Not the best circumstances, and the match was about as eventfull as the final score would suggest.
Nerikes Allehanda: Oscar höll nollan för KIF Örebro
Kopparbergs/Göteborg: Oavgjort mot KIF Örebro

Malmö FF - BK Skjold 4-1 (1-1)
Malmö: Helena Ivarsson - Jenny Engwall (77 Sarah Dessfelt), Therese Jönsson, Lina Rehov, Johanna Rosén - Anna Mörstam (70 Therese Frostander), Emelie Ölander (75 Amalia Mahdi), Dóra Stefánsdóttir, Frida Nordin - Emma Stålhammar (60 Mia Westerblad), Linda Blom (77 Vlora Bajraktaraj)
Goals: 1-0 Linda Blom (28), 2-1 Mia Westerblad (60), 3-1 Mia Westerblad (65), 4-1 Mia Westerblad (85)
With less than an handfull regulars, Malmö defeated Danish 1st division leaders BK Skjold. It was ups and downs from malmö, but when Mia Westerblad (most used substitute last season) came on after 60 minutes, Malmö's goals came quick. Malmö's new Icelandic signing Dora Stefansdottir was the best player on the field.
Malmö FF: Malmö FF -BK Skjold   4-1, match pictures, more pics

Glanshammar - Qbik 0-4
Goals: 0-1 Anna Nilsson, 0-2 Elina Johansson, 0-3 Maureen Mmadu, 0-4 Rebecca Jonsson
Qbik faced 1st division side Glanshammar with with almost a full first team and controlled the match. The Nigerian centre defense Yinka Kudaisi and Faith Ikidi impressed and the new 4-2-3-1 system produced a good attack.
Värmlands Folkblad: Spelsystemet som ska ta Qbik till toppen  

Sweden - Germany 0-3 (0-1)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Frida Östberg, Hanna Marklund, Stina Segerström (43 red-carded), Maria Bergkvist - Anna Sjöström (68 Victoria Svensson), Malin Moström, Therese Sjögren (76 Linda Fagerström), Lotta Schelin (46 Sara Larsson) - Therese Lundin, Hanna Ljungberg (79 Caroline Seger).
A really good Swedish first half - having Marklund, Moström and Ljungberg as starters this time really made a difference - ended with a dubious handball call, which gave Stina Segerström her second yellow and Gernamy a penalty kick. Coach Dennerby opted to keep both forwards, which made the Swedish midfield out-numbered by the Germans. Germany had their usual nice flow in the attack, dominated midfield and had Sweden on the defense most of the time. Coach Dennerby was less than pleased with the referee team, that except for the penalty also gave a lot of unjustified free kicks.

Aftonbladet: Domartabbe början till det svenska fallet
Damfotboll.com: 0-3 för Sverige med tio spelare mot Tyskland

Other matches
The Scandinavian goal draught continued in the Norway - Finland match, that ended 0-0. Lise Klaveness (Umeå) played the last half for Norway, while the Finnish team as usual relied on a lot of Damallsvenskan players; Umeå's Sanna Valkonen and Anne Mäkinen played the whole match, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen (Linköping) the first half, Djurgården's Laura Kalmari was subbed out in the dieing minutes of the match and Minna Mustonen (Bälinge) got 30 second half minutes. Denmark went down big to USA, losing 5-0. Katrine Pedersen and Dorte Dalum Jensen (both Djurgården/Älvsjö) played the full match and were among the few that played both the France and USA matches.

Sweden - Norway 0-0 (0-0)
Sweden: Caroline Jönsson Malmö FF - Frida Östberg Linköping FC, Sara Larsson Linköping FC, Karolina Westberg Umeå IK, Caroline Näfver KIF Örebro (72 Maria Bergkvist Umeå IK) - Johanna Almgren Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (50 Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK), Salina Ohlsson Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (62 Therese Sjögran Malmö FF), Caroline Seger Linköping FC (46 Malin Moström Umeå IK), Linda Fagerström Djurgården/Älvsjö - Victoria Svensson Djurgården/Älvsjö, Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC (68 Anna Sjöström Umeå IK)

Not exactly the starting line-up you would choose if you wanted to defeat Norway, somebody pointed out. But Thomas Dennerby has been clear about his plans; everybody on the squad will start at least once and he will try different combinations of players on the field.

This time, the result of Dennerby's experimenting was mainly disappointing. Disorganized defense, slow and tired looking midfield (reports says Seger was just recovering from a cold) and a lack of quality both delivering and recieving passes. Only quality performance in the first half was from goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson, showing stability and confidence. Things shaped up a bit in the second half, when players like Malin Moström, Hanna Ljungberg and Therese Sjögran was subbed in. Still, a fairly mediocre performance from both sides.

Damfotboll.com: Första mål vi väntar på, Sverige, Sverige, Sverige...
Sydsvenskan: Godkänd svenskstart i Algarve Cup

Vasalund/Essinge - Djurgården/Älvsjö  0-7 (0-4)
Djurgården/Älvsjö: Pernilla Ebberyd - Dorte Dalum Jensen, Malin Engdahl, Therese Brogårde, Ann-Marie Norlin (47 Kristin Bengtsson) - Linda Fagerström, Anna Hall, Elin Ekblom - Laura Kalmari, Sofia Simonsson, Sara Thunebro (47 Victoria Svensson)
Goals: 0-1 Sara Thunebro (5), 0-2 Linda Fagerström (11), 0-3 Elin Ekblom (27), 0-4 Dorte Dalum Jensen (37), 0-5 Victoria Svensson (50), 0-6 Victoria Svensson (56), 0-7 Laura Kalmari (67)
The big difference in quality between Djurgården and the 1st division side Vasalund-Essinge made it possible for Djurgården to try out a wide range of attacking combinations, while the defense never really was tested.
Djurgården/Älvsjö: Vasalund-Essinge - Djurgården/Älvsjö


******************Jitex Cup***********************************

Newcomers Jitex invited Umeå, Linköping and Göteborg to a two-day tournament. All matches played in sub zero temperatures, but on a snow-free turf.

Jitex - Linköpings FC 0-0 (0-0)
Jitex: Anna Rehnlund - Jenny Ringqvist, Caroline Lindblad, Amelie Rybeck, Linda Fyhr - Therese Andersson, Emma Herbring, Jennie Svensson, Therese Björk - Kajsa Tornfalk, Lisa Christensson
Linköping:
With the somewhat embarrasing 0-2 defeat against 1st division side Falköping last week still in memory, Jitex did much better than expected and matched up good against Linköping, that played their first outdoor game for the season. Linköping couldn't produce a full first team; Ann Westermark has a foot injury and Josefine Öqvist had taken a cough suryp with doping listed ingredients.
Corren: Vilande Öqvist undvek doping

Umeå IK - Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 3-1 (3-0)
Umeå: Sofia Lundgren - Maria Bergkvist (Emma Berglund), Johanna Frisk, Karolina Westberg, Anna Paulsson - Lise Klaveness, Lisa Dahlkvist (Erika Karlsson), Malin Moström - June Pedersen, Marta, Johanna Andersson
Göteborg: Maria Edman - Camilla Schelin (70 Sofia Plamqvist), Frida Höglund, Maria Nilsson, Maria Karlsson - Lotta Schelin, Frida Thydén (70 Marlene Sjöberg), Johanna Almgren, Rebecca Ljungdahl - Salina olsson (60 Sofia Andersson), My Hjelm
Goals: 1-0 Marta (7), 2-0 Johanna Andersson (13), 3-0 Marta (37), 3-1 Sofie Andersson (80)
Umeå dominated the first half, with Marta scoring or setting up all goals. Lise Klaveness did her debut for her new club in the defensive midfield position, where Anne Mäkinen usually plays. In the second half Göteborg seemed to make their play work better and creating more forward, but Umeå was never in any danger.
Göteborgsposten: Umeå gav Göteborg stora problem

Linköping - Kopparbergs/Göteborg 2-0 (1-0)
Linköping:
Göteborg: Bodil Sjans - Maria Karlsson (45 Camilla Schelin), Sofia Dammström (45 Maria Nilsson), Frida Höglund, Marlene Sjöberg - Lotta Schelin (45 Frida Thydén), Jessica Julin, Johanna Almgren (45 My Hjelm), Sofia Palmqvist - Rebecca Ljungdahl, Sofie Andersson
Goals: 1-0 Caroline Seger (30), 2-0 Lotta Runesson (84)
In a more even contest than the goal figures would suggest, Linköping's Frida Östberg was part of the difference. She played great in midfield and got the assists for both Linköping's goals.
Corren: Östberg bakom LFC:s seger

Umeå IK - Jitex 3-1 (0-1)
Umeå: Sofia Lundgren - Maria Bergkvist, Sanna Valkonen, Karolina Westberg (46 Johanna Frisk), Emma Berglund - Lise Klaveness, Marta, Elaine (70 Lisa Dahlkvist) - Erika Karlsson (46 Johanna Andersson), Hanna Ljungberg, Anna Sjöström
Jitex: Anna Rehnlund - Sophia Lindorsson, Emma Herbring, Caroline Lindblad, Ann Johansson - Therese Bjurenlind, Jennie Svensson, Malin Normelli, Sigrid Olsson - Therese Björk, Katya Salguero
Goals: 0-1 Katya Salguero (7), 1-1 Anna Sjöström (47), 2-1 Hanna Ljungberg (79), 3-1 Maria Bergkvist (87)
Jitex managed to score the first goal of the match on a fast counter, but it was mostly play against one goal. Jitex goalkeeper Anna Rehnlund did great to keep down the figures.

*******************************************************************************

AIK - Djurgården/Älvsjö 1-7 (1-2)
Djurgården/Älvsjö: Bente Nordby - Dorte Dalum Jensen (46 Malin Engdahl), Kristin Bengtsson, Therese Brogårde, Linda Lekander (58 Mimmi Nordlander Andersson) - Katrine Pedersen, Anna Hall, Elin Ekblom (46 Linda Fagerström) - Laura Kalmari (58 Sofia Simonsson), Victoria Svensson, Sara Thunebro.
Goals: 1-1 Sara Thunebro (44), 1-2 Sara Thunebro (45), 1-3 Victoria Svensson (46), 1-4 Mimmi Norlander Andersson (67), 1-5 Victoria Svensson (78), 1-6 Anna Hall (84), 1-7 Victoria Svensson (90).
In what was anything but perfect conditions (click the AIK link for pictures), last years Damallsvenskan side AIK managed to hold Djurgården/Älvsjö back almost the whole first half after taking the lead on a penalty kick. But in the second half Djurgården increased the pressure and showed the difference between the teams.
AIK: En bra halvlek räckte inte
Djurgården/Älvsjö: AIK-Djurgården/Älvsjö

Malmö FF - Brøndby 5-1 (2-1)
Malmö: Caroline Jönsson - Jenny Engwall, Therese Jönsson, Malin Levenstad, Dora Stefansdottir - Frida Nordin, Therese Sjögran, Nilla Fischer, Emma Wilhelmsson (75 Lina Nilsson) - Therese Lundin, Asthildur Helgadottir (60 Linda Blom)
Goals: 1-0 Therese Lundin (4), 2-0 Therese Sjögran (8), 2-1 Lene Jensen (15), 3-1 Asthildur Helgadottir (18), 4-1 Asthildur Helgadottir (21), 5-1 Therese Lundin (65)
Malmö out-played the reigning Danish champions Brøndby, scoring 4 goals in the first 20 minutes. Good passing play and a creative attack that didn't rely on counters was behind Malmö's domination, while there still needs some work to get the new defense in order. You don't replace Malin Andersson and Denise Reddy (500 Damallsvenskan games together) easy. This was also Asthildur Helgadottir's last match for Malmö.
Malmö FF: match report, pictures, more pics, even more
Sydsvenskan: MFF-tränare nöjd efter 5–1

Hammarby - Sporting Club Raisio 7-1 (4-0)
Hammarby: Katarina Wicksell - Therese Dahlberg, Josefin Christensen, Elin Sölveskog, Annica Svensson - Marijke Callebaut, Jennie Jonsson, Therese Sandström (46 Lisa Björkvik), Louise Fors - Linda Forsberg (46 Jessica Landström), Sara Johansson.
Goals: 1-0 Linda Forsberg, 2-0 Marijke Callebaut, 3-0 Louise Fors, 4-0 Linda Forsberg, 5-1 Louise Fors, 6-1 Sara Johansson, 7-1 Louise Fors
Great performance by 17 year old Hammarby starlet Louise Fors against Finland's number 6 Raisio. "She was so good, I moved her down to the defense the last 20 minutes", said Hammarby coach En Perlskog. "She was our best there too."
Damfotboll.com: Louise Fors tremålsskytt för Hammarby

Bälinge - QBIK 0-0 (0-0)
Bälinge: Maja Åström - Karolina Mats (Linn Fors), Linda Sembrant, Lina Andersson, Nera Smajic - Heidi Matinlassi, Mikaela Björklund (Mona Najib), Maria Thuré - Anna Bergendal (Madelene Hagberg), Emma Lindqvist, Minna Mustonen
QBIK:
Neither side was really happy with their performance in a match where Bälinge still seemed like the (slightly) better side. Maja Åström and Minna Mustonen both showed that Bälinge had made the right decision to sign them.
Uppsala Nya Tidning: Mållöst för Bälinge mot allsvenska Qbik
Värmlands Folkblad: Qbik vägrar att förlora

The financial reports from KIF Örebro and Linköping FC, presented at their annual meetings recently, shows growing turnover and a growing yearly surplus for both clubs.

KIF Örebro could look back at a successfull 2005. Their rapid financially growth, from an annual turnover 2004 at SEK 1,7 millions to SEK 2,9 millions and a SEK 285,000 profit 2005, corresponds to an increasing local support, both from fans and businesses. Re-elected chairman Karin Tellås is happy to be able to, for the first time, sign contracts with and give compensation to all players as well as hiring an office manager.

Linköping FC continues their ambition to develop to be a championship contender. Annual turnover grew from SEK 2,4 millions the year before to SEK 3,1 millions 2005, including a modest profit. "We invest all our resources in the development of the team", says general manager Anders Mäki. "We aim to be better both on and beside the football field".

Linköping FC: Lugnt årsmöte i LFC
KIF Örebro: Ordförande har ordet..
Nerikes Allehanda: KIF Örebro fördubblade sin vinst