Umeå lose to Brazil
Umeå IK - Brazil 0 - 2 (0-0)
Umeå: Ulla-Karin Rönnlund (46 Carola Söberg) - Anna Paulsson, Johanna Frisk, Karolina Westberg (56 Emma Berglund), Frida Östberg (71 Ida Åberg Zingmark) - Emmelie Konradsson (56 Emma Åberg Zingmark), Lisa Dahlqvist (85 Frida Östberg), Mami Yamaguchi - Johanna Rasmussen (26 June Pedersen), Sofia Jakobsson (46 Marta, 71 Sofia Jakobsson), Madelaine Edlund.
Goals: 0-1 Fabiana (56), 0-2 Cristiane (72)
Attendance: 5,032
A very friendly friendly in front of a decent crowd in nice summer weather. Umeå tried out a new midfield and let a lot of their teenagers earn useful international experience. Umeå kept up well with the Brazilians, that didn't really look like Olympic championship contenders in the first half. In particular the defense worked well. The musical chairs game of substitutions in the second half lowered both pace and quality in the game. Brazil scored twice in the second half, first Fabiana headed in a cross from Cristiane and then they changed roles for the second, Fabiana playing a deep pass on Cristiane's feet, who had an easy finish alone with the keeper.
Marta played 30 minutes in the first half for Brazil and then came on for Umeå in the second. Johanna Rasmussen left the pitch already after less than half an hour with a bloody nose following a run-in with Marta. No big deal, though, Johanna expects to be playing again in the repeat match on Sunday.
Umeå's player of the match was young Japanese Mami Yamaguchi, who worked hard and played simple in Umeå's midfield.
Västerbottens Folkblad: En liten japanska dominerade mot Brasilien
SVT: Brasilien slog UIK (video)
National team: Goalkeeper decision favours experience over form
National team coach Thomas Dennerby today announced his decision for the second goalkeeper position iin the Olympic squad. With the choice between an in-form Kristin Hammarström with little experience (she got her first cap in February this year) and the very experienced Caroline Jönsson, who on the other hand has played very few matches since her ACL injury last year, he went for Jönsson: "It was a difficult decision, but experience favorued Caroline Jönsson".
Both Caroline Jönsson and Kristin Hammarström will however go to China as will two of the alternates, Lisa Dalkvist and Johanna Almgren. Even if they are not part of the team and doesn't get to stay in the Olympic village, the team management thinks it is worth the extra cost to have them at location if they are needed. That way there will be no problems with travel time and possible jet lag for the alternates if they get called in.
Svensk Fotboll: Caroline Jönsson blir andremålvakt
The last day of training at Gotland saw Charlotte Rohlin and Hanna Ljungberg resting, while all the others were in full training. The Wednesday program also included some team-building activities, among them canoeing. Getting wet and looking stupid is always good for team spirit.
SVT: Damlandslaget inledde med kanotutmaning (video)
Hanna Ljungberg was kept from training yesterday with a pain in the back of her right thigh - her earlier injury problems has been in the left thigh. But she had an MRI exam today, Thursday, which gave an all clear for her. She will however not participate in Umeå IK's exhibition match against Brazil tonight.
Västerbottenskuriren: Hanna Ljungberg klar för OS
Umeå Södra and Kristianstad looking for reinforcements
Umeå Södra, that recently hired defender Fanta Cooper (Jersey Sky Blue in the W-league) and young attacker Emelie Becker (Team Hudik in the Swedish 2nd division), is still looking for more. They hope to be able to announce a third player by the end of this week. It is a foreign player, an outside midfielder of "high Damallsvenskan quality", who hasn't played in Sweden before.
If I should wager a guess here, we are looking at a player from the American W-league. The regular season finished last weekend and the play-offs are done by the end of the month, so there could be a player or two that might want to extend their season with a couple of months in Sweden.
Västerbottenskuriren: Fanta klar - mer snart
At the same time as they are hiring professionals, Umeå Södra are letting two of their younger players, Ellinor Andersson and Emelie Strand, go on loan to the Finnish premier side Nice Futis in Pori.
Västerbottenskuriren: Andersson och Strand från Södra till Finland
Umeå Södra's relegation competitor, Kristianstads DFF, are also looking to strengthen their side. The 18 years old winger Antonia Göransson from LDB FC Malmö, who played for Skjold in the Danish premier last year but still has make her first Damallsvenskan appearence, is trying out for Kristianstad.
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF testar talang från LdB FC
If I should wager a guess here, we are looking at a player from the American W-league. The regular season finished last weekend and the play-offs are done by the end of the month, so there could be a player or two that might want to extend their season with a couple of months in Sweden.
Västerbottenskuriren: Fanta klar - mer snart
At the same time as they are hiring professionals, Umeå Södra are letting two of their younger players, Ellinor Andersson and Emelie Strand, go on loan to the Finnish premier side Nice Futis in Pori.
Västerbottenskuriren: Andersson och Strand från Södra till Finland
Umeå Södra's relegation competitor, Kristianstads DFF, are also looking to strengthen their side. The 18 years old winger Antonia Göransson from LDB FC Malmö, who played for Skjold in the Danish premier last year but still has make her first Damallsvenskan appearence, is trying out for Kristianstad.
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF testar talang från LdB FC
Some Olympic tidbits
Umeå's Brazilian defensive player Elaine will meet her national team when Brazil arrives in Umeå for their traditional pre-championship training camp, which begins today. But since she damaged her knee in an indoor tournament in January, she will not be able to join the team for the games in Beijing. When she hurt her knee almost six months ago, she really wanted to belive she would be fit in time for the Olympics. But as the months went by she began to realize that she wouldn't make it. "I am maybe one or two months away now. Then I might be ready to play one half." She tells that she had a long conversation with Brazil's national team manager, who comforted her saying that there will be more opportunities to play in Olympic games for her. She is still young.
Västerbottenskuriren: OS-drömmen som slets sönder
Sweden's national team is training on the sunny island Gotland in the Baltic before they take the trip east. Lotta Schelin and Victoria Svensson has been resting, but nothing to worry about says national team physician Per Lindblom. On the other hand are Caroline Seger and Josefine Öqvist starting to look really good and are doing high intensity training now.
Svensk fotboll: Seger-Öqvist bättre, Schelin-Svensson vilade
Lotta Schelin, probably Sweden's biggest star at the moment, is the only one in the squad that doesn't get any stipends from the Swedish Olympic Committee. The reason: she makes too much money anyway. Lotta isn't happy about this, but when told that she has been treated the same way as other big Swedish athletic stars like Carolina Klüft and Sanna Kallur, she is ready to accept it.
Aftonbladet: ”Skittråkigt”
Västerbottenskuriren: OS-drömmen som slets sönder
Sweden's national team is training on the sunny island Gotland in the Baltic before they take the trip east. Lotta Schelin and Victoria Svensson has been resting, but nothing to worry about says national team physician Per Lindblom. On the other hand are Caroline Seger and Josefine Öqvist starting to look really good and are doing high intensity training now.
Svensk fotboll: Seger-Öqvist bättre, Schelin-Svensson vilade
Lotta Schelin, probably Sweden's biggest star at the moment, is the only one in the squad that doesn't get any stipends from the Swedish Olympic Committee. The reason: she makes too much money anyway. Lotta isn't happy about this, but when told that she has been treated the same way as other big Swedish athletic stars like Carolina Klüft and Sanna Kallur, she is ready to accept it.
Aftonbladet: ”Skittråkigt”
Mixed national team news
Neither Caroline Seger nor Josefine Öqvist dressed for the match against Norway on Sunday. Seger is still troubled by the injury she got against USA two weeks ago, but she isn't worried about her playing in the Olympics. Josefine Öqvist is having problems with a four year old groin injury, but is now almost back in full training.
Corren: Ingen fara med Öqvist
Some of us had expected that coach Dennerby should use the match for some kind of decision on the back-up keeper position. But neither Caroline Jönsson nor Kristin Hammarström left the bench. It didn't surprise Caroline Jönsson "The recent championships they have always played the first choice keeper the entire last match before the tournament, so it was expected". Jönsson, who is just back from a lengthy injury period and only has played two league matches this season, is mostly just happy to be back. She says she doesn't care if she becomes the second or third keeper - "It's not that big a difference".
Aftonbladet: Jönsson fick inte visa upp sig
First keeper Hedvig Lindahl says that the increasingly close competition in the Swedish league has helped her and other players to perform better than last year. "Last year we who are playing on other teams didn't think we could defeat Umeå. But we in Linköping has shown that we can do that and other teams have won points [from Umeå]. I think mthere are many of us that have gotten more confidence in ourselves as the league is getting closer."
Damfotboll.com: Umeå IKs oslagbarhet sänkte självförtroendet
Frida Östberg thinks that team mate Madeleine Edlund should have been on the Olympic team: "She is absolutely the kind of player that would have been good to have in the Olympics". Edlund has been scoring generously for Sweden's U23 team in the Nordic Cup recently. But coach Dennerby simply comments that if he thought that edlund should have been in the team, she would have been there: "The four forwards I have chosen is a good mix".
Västerbottenskuriren: Östberg: "Jag tycker att Madelaine Edlund borde vara med"
Corren: Ingen fara med Öqvist
Some of us had expected that coach Dennerby should use the match for some kind of decision on the back-up keeper position. But neither Caroline Jönsson nor Kristin Hammarström left the bench. It didn't surprise Caroline Jönsson "The recent championships they have always played the first choice keeper the entire last match before the tournament, so it was expected". Jönsson, who is just back from a lengthy injury period and only has played two league matches this season, is mostly just happy to be back. She says she doesn't care if she becomes the second or third keeper - "It's not that big a difference".
Aftonbladet: Jönsson fick inte visa upp sig
First keeper Hedvig Lindahl says that the increasingly close competition in the Swedish league has helped her and other players to perform better than last year. "Last year we who are playing on other teams didn't think we could defeat Umeå. But we in Linköping has shown that we can do that and other teams have won points [from Umeå]. I think mthere are many of us that have gotten more confidence in ourselves as the league is getting closer."
Damfotboll.com: Umeå IKs oslagbarhet sänkte självförtroendet
Frida Östberg thinks that team mate Madeleine Edlund should have been on the Olympic team: "She is absolutely the kind of player that would have been good to have in the Olympics". Edlund has been scoring generously for Sweden's U23 team in the Nordic Cup recently. But coach Dennerby simply comments that if he thought that edlund should have been in the team, she would have been there: "The four forwards I have chosen is a good mix".
Västerbottenskuriren: Östberg: "Jag tycker att Madelaine Edlund borde vara med"
Promising Olympic dress rehearsal for Sweden, defeats Norway
Norway - Sweden 0 - 2 (0-1)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Anna Paulson, Sara Larsson (59 Karolina Westberg), Charlotte Rohlin (59 Stina Segerström), Sara Thunebro - Linda Forsberg (59 Hanna Ljungberg), Nilla Fischer (78 Johanna Almgren), Frida Östberg, Therese Sjögran (78 Lisa Dahlkvist) - Victoria Svensson (72 Jessica Landström), Lotta Schelin
Goals: 0-1 Lotta Schelin (26), 0-2 Jessica Landström (90)
Great play from Sweden in the pouring rain in the southern Norway town of Sandefjord. Strong defense, good movement on the outsides and a varied attacking play was things to be happy about for national team coach Thomas Dennerby: "We played a great match and were clearly better than Norway. I think we have taken a big step forward."
Lotta Schelin showed that she is getting back into form after her injury-ridden spring season. Her goal was a great performance as she recieved the ball from Victoria Svensson and simply out-run her Norwegian marker and scored with a hard, low shot in the far corner of the goal. The main thing missing in the match was more like this. With more efficiency in front of goal, the score could have been much higher.
Dagens Nyheter: Stabilt svenskt OS-genrep
NRK: Slet mot Sverige søndag (video)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Anna Paulson, Sara Larsson (59 Karolina Westberg), Charlotte Rohlin (59 Stina Segerström), Sara Thunebro - Linda Forsberg (59 Hanna Ljungberg), Nilla Fischer (78 Johanna Almgren), Frida Östberg, Therese Sjögran (78 Lisa Dahlkvist) - Victoria Svensson (72 Jessica Landström), Lotta Schelin
Goals: 0-1 Lotta Schelin (26), 0-2 Jessica Landström (90)
Great play from Sweden in the pouring rain in the southern Norway town of Sandefjord. Strong defense, good movement on the outsides and a varied attacking play was things to be happy about for national team coach Thomas Dennerby: "We played a great match and were clearly better than Norway. I think we have taken a big step forward."
Lotta Schelin showed that she is getting back into form after her injury-ridden spring season. Her goal was a great performance as she recieved the ball from Victoria Svensson and simply out-run her Norwegian marker and scored with a hard, low shot in the far corner of the goal. The main thing missing in the match was more like this. With more efficiency in front of goal, the score could have been much higher.
Dagens Nyheter: Stabilt svenskt OS-genrep
NRK: Slet mot Sverige søndag (video)
Lyon is "interesting", says Schelin
"Lyon is a very good club and takes strides forward. So, of course it's interesting, but I won't decide anything while I'm preparing for a big tournament", comments Lotta Schelin the French champion's interest in her services. Lyon respects her wishes and doesn't demand an answer from her now.
Schelin continues: "If I would go somewhere abroad it has to be at the right level. It is important to get to a good team." Lyon is a really good club, but, she says, so are many other European sides.
Dagens Nyheter: Schelin öppnar för flytt
And concerning the other transfer news yesterday, it seems like FC Indiana's original statement, that Laura del Rio "has been linked" to Umeå IK, took a life of it's own and grew considerably during the day. When the local Umeå paper Västerbottenskuriren asked Roland Arnqvist to comment, the story was that del Rio should have been offered a contract by Umeå. Not quite the same thing.
Schelin continues: "If I would go somewhere abroad it has to be at the right level. It is important to get to a good team." Lyon is a really good club, but, she says, so are many other European sides.
Dagens Nyheter: Schelin öppnar för flytt
And concerning the other transfer news yesterday, it seems like FC Indiana's original statement, that Laura del Rio "has been linked" to Umeå IK, took a life of it's own and grew considerably during the day. When the local Umeå paper Västerbottenskuriren asked Roland Arnqvist to comment, the story was that del Rio should have been offered a contract by Umeå. Not quite the same thing.
Olympique Lyon wants Lotta Schelin, Umeå doesn't want Laura del Rio
The French champions and UEFA Women's Cup semifinalists Olympique Lyon wants to sign Kopparbergs/Göteborg's star forward Lotta Schelin as they are preparing to better their 2007/08 Women's Cup run. Göteborg chairman Peter Bronsman confirms that the French side has approached his club and announced their interest in Schelin.
Lyon has also informed that they are persuing Nigerian Cynthia Uwak (last year with Falköpings KIK in Damallsvenskan) and Swiss Lara Dickenmann (last year with Jersey Sky Blue in W-league), who has recently returned from USA after graduating from college. Their ambition is to sign all three players.
Peter Bronsman says that there is always interest in Schelin and it isn't impossible that she will be moving on after eight years in Göteborg. But there are, according to Bronsman, other clubs that has shown interest and personally I would say that even if Lyon is a quality side, the French league is not the place for Schelin to continue her development. She is still young and would benefit from playing in a stronger league.
Olweb: L'OL féminin recrute pour la coupe d'Europe
Dagens Nyheter: Lyon vill köpa Lotta Schelin
In other transfer news, W-league's FC Indiana announces in a press realease that they have offered their Spanish forward Laura Del Rio a two year contract in competition with among others Umeå IK. Umeå IK denies this. Roland Arnqvist, no longer manager but hired by the club as consultant and responsible for player recruitments, says that "this is completely untrue" and that del Rio isn't even one of the players the club is talking about. He also has less than flattering things to say about FC Indiana, which he doesn't consider a serious organization.
There is a connection between Umeå and Laura del Rio, though. She was on a try-out in Umeå last summer, but didn't get any offer. The club at that time said that she was too slow, not aggressive enough in attack and generally didn't offer anything Umeå didn't already have on the team.
Soccer scene USA: del Rio Offered Two-Year Contract With Lionesses
Västerbottenskuriren: "UIK har gett bud"
Lyon has also informed that they are persuing Nigerian Cynthia Uwak (last year with Falköpings KIK in Damallsvenskan) and Swiss Lara Dickenmann (last year with Jersey Sky Blue in W-league), who has recently returned from USA after graduating from college. Their ambition is to sign all three players.
Peter Bronsman says that there is always interest in Schelin and it isn't impossible that she will be moving on after eight years in Göteborg. But there are, according to Bronsman, other clubs that has shown interest and personally I would say that even if Lyon is a quality side, the French league is not the place for Schelin to continue her development. She is still young and would benefit from playing in a stronger league.
Olweb: L'OL féminin recrute pour la coupe d'Europe
Dagens Nyheter: Lyon vill köpa Lotta Schelin
In other transfer news, W-league's FC Indiana announces in a press realease that they have offered their Spanish forward Laura Del Rio a two year contract in competition with among others Umeå IK. Umeå IK denies this. Roland Arnqvist, no longer manager but hired by the club as consultant and responsible for player recruitments, says that "this is completely untrue" and that del Rio isn't even one of the players the club is talking about. He also has less than flattering things to say about FC Indiana, which he doesn't consider a serious organization.
There is a connection between Umeå and Laura del Rio, though. She was on a try-out in Umeå last summer, but didn't get any offer. The club at that time said that she was too slow, not aggressive enough in attack and generally didn't offer anything Umeå didn't already have on the team.
Soccer scene USA: del Rio Offered Two-Year Contract With Lionesses
Västerbottenskuriren: "UIK har gett bud"
Fanta Cooper to Umeå Södra
The American defender Fanta Cooper, presently playing for Jersey Sky Blue in the W-league, has agreed to join Umeå Södra to help them trying to avoid relegation. Cooper played two years for Bälinge, helping them promote from the 1st division 2005 and in Damallsvenskan 2006, before moving back to USA to join the New Jersey club 2007.
Cooper, who has been in touch with Umeå Södra's American Jennifer Nobis to hear about the club, says she is thrilled to return to Sweden. She has signed the contract and the club is now waiting for the paperwork from the immigration authorities to come through.
The last regular season match for Sky Blue will be played this weekend and at the moment it looks like they will miss out on the play-offs for the W-league championship. In either case the W-league season is finished before Damallsvenskan resumes it's schedule in late August.
Umeå Södra has also signed Emelie Becker from 2nd division side Team Hudik. The 19 year old Becker, who moves to Umeå for studies, is the leading goalscorer in her division.
Västerbottenskuriren: 'Supertaggad på att spela för Södra'
Västerbottens Folkblad: Södra släcker törsten med Fanta från USA
Seger feeling confident about playing in the Olympics
Linköping's Caroline Seger, diagnozed with thigh muscle rupture a week ago, feel very positive about her rehab training and will travel to Norway with the team. She will however not take the field as Sweden plays Norway on July 20.
Dagens Nyheter: Seger räknar med OS-spel
And in other, completely unrelated player news, LDB FC Malmö's 18 years young midfielder Cecilia Kotte, who hasn't played for Malmö since her ACL tear last summer, goes on loan to Danish premier league side Skjold. She will be joined by forward Jenny Nellbert (17) from Malmö's youth team. LDB FC has an established cooperation with the Copenhagen club and their winger Antonia Göransson had a very successful stay with the Danish team last fall.
3F: Skjold ruster op
Relegation struggler Bälinge are looking to reinforce their squad with a midfielder and a forward. Appearently they are looking at two players from the divisions just below Damallsvenskan.
Upsala Nya Tidning: Sirius och Bälinge jagar nyförvärv
Dagens Nyheter: Seger räknar med OS-spel
And in other, completely unrelated player news, LDB FC Malmö's 18 years young midfielder Cecilia Kotte, who hasn't played for Malmö since her ACL tear last summer, goes on loan to Danish premier league side Skjold. She will be joined by forward Jenny Nellbert (17) from Malmö's youth team. LDB FC has an established cooperation with the Copenhagen club and their winger Antonia Göransson had a very successful stay with the Danish team last fall.
3F: Skjold ruster op
Relegation struggler Bälinge are looking to reinforce their squad with a midfielder and a forward. Appearently they are looking at two players from the divisions just below Damallsvenskan.
Upsala Nya Tidning: Sirius och Bälinge jagar nyförvärv
Umeå to host UEFA Women's Cup qualifications
UEFA has chosen Umeå IK to one of the second group round of the UEFA Women's Cup 2008/09. Umeå is very pleased to be given the opportunity to host the group. It's a good mark on the club's ability to host these competitions - it's the third time for Umeå - and "financially it's definitely an advantage", says marketer Susanne Granberg. Umeå usually makes a profit from these tournaments.
The group will be played October 9-15 and consist of the seeded clubs Umeå IK and Bardolino Verona and two teams from the first qualification round. Winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals.
Västerbottenskuriren: Vinst för UIK - igen
The group will be played October 9-15 and consist of the seeded clubs Umeå IK and Bardolino Verona and two teams from the first qualification round. Winners and runners-up qualify for the quarter-finals.
Västerbottenskuriren: Vinst för UIK - igen
Daniela and Cristiane leaves Linköping without answers about the future
The Brazilian national team players Daniela and Cristiane played their last match under their current contract with Linköping last night. They will now join the Brazilian national team and prepare for the Olympic games.
Both the players and their coach Daniel Pettersson wants them to return for the last half of the league, that kicks off in August.
"I really hope we both can come back. There are clubs in Brazil that are interested in us, but I want to play here", commented Cristiane after the match yesterday. "This team is like a family for me".
Linköping's sport director Anders Mäki repeated what he has said before. The club wants to keep both Daniela and Cristiane, but they must solve the financing first and it is not clear that they will be able to do that. The additional cost will be something like SEK 1 million, which is a huge sum for a club with a SEK 7 million turn-over.
There has been some talk about Linköping maybe going for re-signing only one of the players, which would make the cost significantly lower. In that case it will almost certainly be Daniela who gets a new contract.
Corren: Sista matchen med gänget?
Both the players and their coach Daniel Pettersson wants them to return for the last half of the league, that kicks off in August.
"I really hope we both can come back. There are clubs in Brazil that are interested in us, but I want to play here", commented Cristiane after the match yesterday. "This team is like a family for me".
Linköping's sport director Anders Mäki repeated what he has said before. The club wants to keep both Daniela and Cristiane, but they must solve the financing first and it is not clear that they will be able to do that. The additional cost will be something like SEK 1 million, which is a huge sum for a club with a SEK 7 million turn-over.
There has been some talk about Linköping maybe going for re-signing only one of the players, which would make the cost significantly lower. In that case it will almost certainly be Daniela who gets a new contract.
Corren: Sista matchen med gänget?
Seger's Olympic play in danger
Sweden's and Linköping's midfielder Caroline Seger has been diagnosed with a bleeding in a thigh m,uscle, an injury that usually takes one month to recover from. She left the last training before the match against Malmö with pains in her thigh muscle, but she might have sustained the injury already in the international against USA last weekend.
Seger is a given starter for Sweden and I would guess that Dennerby will take his chances and not replace her. But there is getting quite a lot of players, whom we are hoping will be healthy in time for the Olympics.
Linköping's coach Daniel Pettersson was by the way not happy about how the Football Association had crammed in a national team match in an already pressed schedule. The more, I presume, since Linköping contributes with more players to the national team than any other club. Four of his five players came home with some kind of injuries.
Corren: Seger kan missa OS, Skador stör LFC inför toppmötet
Seger is a given starter for Sweden and I would guess that Dennerby will take his chances and not replace her. But there is getting quite a lot of players, whom we are hoping will be healthy in time for the Olympics.
Linköping's coach Daniel Pettersson was by the way not happy about how the Football Association had crammed in a national team match in an already pressed schedule. The more, I presume, since Linköping contributes with more players to the national team than any other club. Four of his five players came home with some kind of injuries.
Corren: Seger kan missa OS, Skador stör LFC inför toppmötet
Damallsvenskan: Linköping suffers season first defeat
The last Damallsvenskan match-day before the break for the Olympics saw Linköping suffer their first defeat and Umeå and Malmö getting closer, Umeå even within striking distance. Good for keeping up the suspense until the league re-starts August 25 with Bälinge hosting AIK.
Kif Örebro - AIK 0 - 4 (0-2)
Örebro: Kristin Hammarström - Susanna Lehtinen (83 Marie Stålberg), Stina Segerström, Sanna Valkonen, Caroline Näfver - Lena Andersson (66 Ingrid Ericsson), Marie Hammarström, Maria Nordbrant, Elin Magnusson - Hanna Pettersson (60 Leena Puranen), Marina Pettersson
AIK: Sofia Lundgren - Linda Lekander, Frida Höglund, Linda Sembrant, Emelie Karlsson-Wedin - Elin Ekblom Bak, Jessica Julin (73 Annica Sjölund), Anne Mäkinen, Emma Lundh (77 Danielle Wallander) - Laura Kalmari (73 Kate Gill), Lisa de Vanna
Goals: 0-1 Emma Lundh (30), 0-2 Jessica Julin (38), 0-3 Lisa de Vanna (73), 0-4 Kate Gill (77)
Attendance: 960
Before the match Örebro had talked about how a win would propell them to a top four position, but the match never gave them any chance to do that. AIK had a steady grip over the events and Örebro's Olympic keeper Kristin Hammarström had a bad day in goal: "Maybe a good thing that I'm already on the roster", she commented. Her team had to run a lot without ball
Dagens Nyheter: Storseger för AIK mot lojt Örebro
Nerikes Allehanda: KIF förlorade stort, pictures
Linköping FC - LDB FC Malmö 2 - 3 (1-2)
Linköping: Hedvig Lindahl - Anna-Kaisa Rantanen, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin, Marie-Louise Skålberg - Maja Krantz, Daniela, Petra Larsson (66 Lisa Nilsson), Maria Karlsson - Cristiane, Jessica Landström (45 Red card)
Malmö: Caroline Jönsson - Dora Stefansdottir, Christina Ørntoft, Emma Wilhelmsson, Nera Smajic (61 Lina Nilsson) - Frida Nordin, Nilla Fischer, Therese Sjögran, Pavlina Scasna (87 Therese Lundin) - Manon Melis, Maria Aronsson (84 Emma Stålhammar)
Goals: 1-0 Cristiane (8), 1-1 Maria Aronsson (14), 1-2 Frida Nordin (46), 1-3 Manon Melis (62), 2-3 Cristiane (90) Attendance: 2,316
Malmö's Jörgen Pettersson had made a major overhaul of his team since the last match between the teams a week ago: new full-backs (Nera Smajic making her first start after two years on the injury list) and two players on top instead of a lone Manon Melis. At the same time Linköping had to start without Caroline Seger, who hurt her thigh in training a few days before. inköping got the first goal, but Malmö quickly replied with a header from Maria Aronsson. Malmö played fast and physical with quick passes and began to dominate. When Jessica Landström took two yellow cards in 9 minutes and was shown of the field, Frida Nordin scored on the following free-kick. Linköping tried different tactics to try to catch up with Malmö, including a rather courageous 3-4-2 at the end, but only managed a late consolation goal by Cristiane.
Maria Aronsson was particulary pleased with the events, as she was let go by Linköping last year, deemed superfluous and not likely to develop. "I have to say that goal felt damned good", she said.
Corren: Förlust och regeltabbe
Sydsvenskan: LDB FC Malmö bröt Linköpings svit– Aronsson fick revansch
Match pictures in SVT sports news, 3 min 45 into the clip.
Sunnanå SK - Kristianstads DFF 4 - 2 (2-2)
Sunnanå: Åsa Berglund - Alexandra Nilsson, Sanna Frostevall, Rebecca Smith, Magdalena Esseryd - Kristina Wiklund, Perpetua Nkwocha, Josefin Johansson, Anna Bodén - Lina Johansson, Mirjam Marklund (73 Linn Lundmark)
Kristianstad: Maria Edman - Johanna Jönsson (77 Angelique Sandberg), Ifioma Dieke, Kia McNeill, Maria Åhlund - Therese Björk (41 Pernilla Falk), Sofie Persson, Erla Arnadottir, Johanna Rosén - Frida Pettersson, Susanne Moberg
Goals: 0-1 Frida Pettersson (22), 1-1 Mirjam Marklund (33), 2-1 Perpetue Nkwocha (39), 2-2 Kia McNeill (42), 3-2 Mirjam Marklund (56), 4-2 Anna Bodén (59)
Attendance: 446
Sunnanå got their revenge for the 3-2 loss in Kristianstad earlier this season, but it didn't look like that in the first half. Kruistianstad equalised just before the recess and when Maria Edman caught Perpetua Nkwocha's penalty kick early in the second, it looked like the match could go Kristianstad's way. But Sunnanå worked their way back, with Nkwocha great as an attacking midfielder and Mirjam Marklund extremely successful as forward (two goals and one assist). Newcomers Kristianstad once again talked about the great pressure from a compressed Damallsvenskan schdule compared to the 1st division they eased through last year and were really happy for the approaching break.
Norra Västerbotten: Tredje raka för Sunnanå
Västerbottens Folkblad: Sunnanå ville mest i målrik match, pictures
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF knockat av Sunnanå
Norra Skåne: Förlust för Kristianstads fotbollsdamer
Umeå IK - Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 1 - 0 (1-0)
Umeå: Ulla-Karin Rönnlund - Anna Paulsson, Karolina Westberg, Johanna Frisk, June Pedersen - Mami Yamaguchi, Hanna Ljungberg (91 Emma Åberg Zingmark), Frida Östberg - Ramona Bachmann (90 Ida Zingmark Åberg), Madeleine Edlund, Johanna Rasmussen
Göteborg: Sandra Bjurteg - Marlene Sjöberg, Jane Törnqvist, Jenny Hallstensson, Amelie Rybeck - Lisa Ek (70 Sofia Karlsson), Johanna Almgren, Maria Karlsson (85 Red card), Linnea Liljegärd (81 Emmelie Farfa) - Lotta Schelin, Sara Lindén
Goals: 0-1 Mami Yamaguchi (13)
Attendance: 1,528
Umeå didn't even loan out the ball to Göteborg the first 15 minutes in an impressing show, that finished with Mami Yamaguchi, watched by her parents in the stands, scoring with a 25 meter shot. After that Göteborg coach Torbjörn Nilsson changed his tactics and the rest of the match was more even with Lotta Schelin producing the most dangerous chances. Umeå's Jeglertz complained about his team looking tired and still-standing in the second. Tamaguchi was of course proud and happy to score a game-winner in front of her parents.
Västerbottenskuriren: Yamaguchi firade målet med föräldrarna
Västerbottens Folkblad: Mami matchhjälte med mamma och pappa på plats
Göteborgsposten: Göteborg föll mot Umeå
Kif Örebro - AIK 0 - 4 (0-2)
Örebro: Kristin Hammarström - Susanna Lehtinen (83 Marie Stålberg), Stina Segerström, Sanna Valkonen, Caroline Näfver - Lena Andersson (66 Ingrid Ericsson), Marie Hammarström, Maria Nordbrant, Elin Magnusson - Hanna Pettersson (60 Leena Puranen), Marina Pettersson
AIK: Sofia Lundgren - Linda Lekander, Frida Höglund, Linda Sembrant, Emelie Karlsson-Wedin - Elin Ekblom Bak, Jessica Julin (73 Annica Sjölund), Anne Mäkinen, Emma Lundh (77 Danielle Wallander) - Laura Kalmari (73 Kate Gill), Lisa de Vanna
Goals: 0-1 Emma Lundh (30), 0-2 Jessica Julin (38), 0-3 Lisa de Vanna (73), 0-4 Kate Gill (77)
Attendance: 960
Before the match Örebro had talked about how a win would propell them to a top four position, but the match never gave them any chance to do that. AIK had a steady grip over the events and Örebro's Olympic keeper Kristin Hammarström had a bad day in goal: "Maybe a good thing that I'm already on the roster", she commented. Her team had to run a lot without ball
Dagens Nyheter: Storseger för AIK mot lojt Örebro
Nerikes Allehanda: KIF förlorade stort, pictures
Linköping FC - LDB FC Malmö 2 - 3 (1-2)
Linköping: Hedvig Lindahl - Anna-Kaisa Rantanen, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin, Marie-Louise Skålberg - Maja Krantz, Daniela, Petra Larsson (66 Lisa Nilsson), Maria Karlsson - Cristiane, Jessica Landström (45 Red card)
Malmö: Caroline Jönsson - Dora Stefansdottir, Christina Ørntoft, Emma Wilhelmsson, Nera Smajic (61 Lina Nilsson) - Frida Nordin, Nilla Fischer, Therese Sjögran, Pavlina Scasna (87 Therese Lundin) - Manon Melis, Maria Aronsson (84 Emma Stålhammar)
Goals: 1-0 Cristiane (8), 1-1 Maria Aronsson (14), 1-2 Frida Nordin (46), 1-3 Manon Melis (62), 2-3 Cristiane (90) Attendance: 2,316
Malmö's Jörgen Pettersson had made a major overhaul of his team since the last match between the teams a week ago: new full-backs (Nera Smajic making her first start after two years on the injury list) and two players on top instead of a lone Manon Melis. At the same time Linköping had to start without Caroline Seger, who hurt her thigh in training a few days before. inköping got the first goal, but Malmö quickly replied with a header from Maria Aronsson. Malmö played fast and physical with quick passes and began to dominate. When Jessica Landström took two yellow cards in 9 minutes and was shown of the field, Frida Nordin scored on the following free-kick. Linköping tried different tactics to try to catch up with Malmö, including a rather courageous 3-4-2 at the end, but only managed a late consolation goal by Cristiane.
Maria Aronsson was particulary pleased with the events, as she was let go by Linköping last year, deemed superfluous and not likely to develop. "I have to say that goal felt damned good", she said.
Corren: Förlust och regeltabbe
Sydsvenskan: LDB FC Malmö bröt Linköpings svit– Aronsson fick revansch
Match pictures in SVT sports news, 3 min 45 into the clip.
Sunnanå SK - Kristianstads DFF 4 - 2 (2-2)
Sunnanå: Åsa Berglund - Alexandra Nilsson, Sanna Frostevall, Rebecca Smith, Magdalena Esseryd - Kristina Wiklund, Perpetua Nkwocha, Josefin Johansson, Anna Bodén - Lina Johansson, Mirjam Marklund (73 Linn Lundmark)
Kristianstad: Maria Edman - Johanna Jönsson (77 Angelique Sandberg), Ifioma Dieke, Kia McNeill, Maria Åhlund - Therese Björk (41 Pernilla Falk), Sofie Persson, Erla Arnadottir, Johanna Rosén - Frida Pettersson, Susanne Moberg
Goals: 0-1 Frida Pettersson (22), 1-1 Mirjam Marklund (33), 2-1 Perpetue Nkwocha (39), 2-2 Kia McNeill (42), 3-2 Mirjam Marklund (56), 4-2 Anna Bodén (59)
Attendance: 446
Sunnanå got their revenge for the 3-2 loss in Kristianstad earlier this season, but it didn't look like that in the first half. Kruistianstad equalised just before the recess and when Maria Edman caught Perpetua Nkwocha's penalty kick early in the second, it looked like the match could go Kristianstad's way. But Sunnanå worked their way back, with Nkwocha great as an attacking midfielder and Mirjam Marklund extremely successful as forward (two goals and one assist). Newcomers Kristianstad once again talked about the great pressure from a compressed Damallsvenskan schdule compared to the 1st division they eased through last year and were really happy for the approaching break.
Norra Västerbotten: Tredje raka för Sunnanå
Västerbottens Folkblad: Sunnanå ville mest i målrik match, pictures
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF knockat av Sunnanå
Norra Skåne: Förlust för Kristianstads fotbollsdamer
Umeå IK - Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 1 - 0 (1-0)
Umeå: Ulla-Karin Rönnlund - Anna Paulsson, Karolina Westberg, Johanna Frisk, June Pedersen - Mami Yamaguchi, Hanna Ljungberg (91 Emma Åberg Zingmark), Frida Östberg - Ramona Bachmann (90 Ida Zingmark Åberg), Madeleine Edlund, Johanna Rasmussen
Göteborg: Sandra Bjurteg - Marlene Sjöberg, Jane Törnqvist, Jenny Hallstensson, Amelie Rybeck - Lisa Ek (70 Sofia Karlsson), Johanna Almgren, Maria Karlsson (85 Red card), Linnea Liljegärd (81 Emmelie Farfa) - Lotta Schelin, Sara Lindén
Goals: 0-1 Mami Yamaguchi (13)
Attendance: 1,528
Umeå didn't even loan out the ball to Göteborg the first 15 minutes in an impressing show, that finished with Mami Yamaguchi, watched by her parents in the stands, scoring with a 25 meter shot. After that Göteborg coach Torbjörn Nilsson changed his tactics and the rest of the match was more even with Lotta Schelin producing the most dangerous chances. Umeå's Jeglertz complained about his team looking tired and still-standing in the second. Tamaguchi was of course proud and happy to score a game-winner in front of her parents.
Västerbottenskuriren: Yamaguchi firade målet med föräldrarna
Västerbottens Folkblad: Mami matchhjälte med mamma och pappa på plats
Göteborgsposten: Göteborg föll mot Umeå
Miscellaneous national team views and news
Örebro's Kristin Hammarström isn't really pleased with Dennerby's decision to postpone the goalkeeper decision for his Olympic team. "It feels like I am the last resort", she says and continues "You would think that the national team management would have learned from when Hedvig Lindahl only had two league matches before the World Cup [last year] and couldn't perform her best". She gets support from her club coach Richard Holmlund, who says he cannot understand the decision. "The way I see it, [Kristin Hammarström] has been the best keeper in the league this season".
Nerikes Allehanda: Hammarström till OS- men bara som reserv?
Göteborg's Sara Lindén and Umeå's Madeleine Edlund are the two best Swedish scorers in Damallsvenskan so far. Neither of them gets to go to the Olympics in China. Edlund comments to her local paper, that it wasn't surprising or very disappointing to her: "It would have been a great bonus on top of a successful season to go to the Olympics, but appearently they think there are better forwards than me in Sweden. I can buy that."
Västerbottens Folkblad: Madde ska visa att hon borde fått åka till Kina
Abby Wambach, USA's forward star, wasn't that pleased with her team's performance against Sweden, but liked Skellefteå. "It's a great town. Everything around the match has worked perfectly. Everyone has been very friendly", she said and added that she could see herself coming back to play, to which the journalist said something like "No, but seriously..". But Abby insisted "I like it here and it is not at all impossible. I've always wanted to play on the other side of the ocean, and why not here?"
For my part, I'm still thinking she's just being nice to the locals. Shannon Boxx also said something similar, but added that first she wants to play in her domestic league.
Norra Västerbotten: Wambach öppnar för Sunnanå
Sunnanå SK were responsible for all match arrangements at the Sweden-USA match last weekend. Sunnanå's players all had some kind of function at the match. You saw them everywhere around the arena. Rebecca Smith worked as liaison with the USA team and met up with her old friend and California neighbour Shannon Boxx. Midfielder Kristin Wiklund sang both national anthems, and in a way that made us all think that she could very well have chosen that career instead.
Norra Västerbotten: Bex och Boxx fick äntligen träffas, Sverige - USA (pictures)
Nerikes Allehanda: Hammarström till OS- men bara som reserv?
Göteborg's Sara Lindén and Umeå's Madeleine Edlund are the two best Swedish scorers in Damallsvenskan so far. Neither of them gets to go to the Olympics in China. Edlund comments to her local paper, that it wasn't surprising or very disappointing to her: "It would have been a great bonus on top of a successful season to go to the Olympics, but appearently they think there are better forwards than me in Sweden. I can buy that."
Västerbottens Folkblad: Madde ska visa att hon borde fått åka till Kina
Abby Wambach, USA's forward star, wasn't that pleased with her team's performance against Sweden, but liked Skellefteå. "It's a great town. Everything around the match has worked perfectly. Everyone has been very friendly", she said and added that she could see herself coming back to play, to which the journalist said something like "No, but seriously..". But Abby insisted "I like it here and it is not at all impossible. I've always wanted to play on the other side of the ocean, and why not here?"
For my part, I'm still thinking she's just being nice to the locals. Shannon Boxx also said something similar, but added that first she wants to play in her domestic league.
Norra Västerbotten: Wambach öppnar för Sunnanå
Sunnanå SK were responsible for all match arrangements at the Sweden-USA match last weekend. Sunnanå's players all had some kind of function at the match. You saw them everywhere around the arena. Rebecca Smith worked as liaison with the USA team and met up with her old friend and California neighbour Shannon Boxx. Midfielder Kristin Wiklund sang both national anthems, and in a way that made us all think that she could very well have chosen that career instead.
Norra Västerbotten: Bex och Boxx fick äntligen träffas, Sverige - USA (pictures)
Hammarby players stays, Kristianstad player leaves
Two important Hammarby players, defender Annica Svensson, who has spent the entire season in rehab after an ACL tear, and young midfielder Andrea Comaneci, has extended their contracts over the 2009 season.
Hammarby: Annica och Andrea förlänger med Hammarby
Kristianstad's attacker Elin Bjerre, very important during their promotion winning season last year but mostly coming from the bench this season, leaves the club as she has been offered and accepted a promotion in her day-job, that requires her to move to Stockholm. She doesn't rule out playing in Stockholm, but then probably at a lower level because of the demands from the new job.
Kristianstadsbladet: Elin Bjerre lägger av
Hammarby: Annica och Andrea förlänger med Hammarby
Kristianstad's attacker Elin Bjerre, very important during their promotion winning season last year but mostly coming from the bench this season, leaves the club as she has been offered and accepted a promotion in her day-job, that requires her to move to Stockholm. She doesn't rule out playing in Stockholm, but then probably at a lower level because of the demands from the new job.
Kristianstadsbladet: Elin Bjerre lägger av
Dennerby announces Sweden player roster for Olympics
National team head coach Thomas Dennerby earlier today announced the player roster for the Olympic games. It seems like he solved his problem with one defender too much by making Frida Östberg a midfielder. He commented that he liked to pick versatile players that can play in more than one position. The second goalkeeper spot is not decided. Either Carolina Jönsson or Kristin Hammarström will stay behind as an alternate.
Goalkeepers:
Hedvig Lindahl Linköpings FC
* Kristin Hammarström Kif Örebro
* Caroline Jönsson LDB FC Malmö
Defenders:
Karolina Westberg Umeå IK
Stina Segerström Kif Örebro
Anna Paulson Umeå IK
Sara Thunebro Djurgården
Sara Larsson Linköpings FC
Charlotte Rohlin Linköpings FC
Midfielders:
Caroline Seger Linköpings FC
Frida Östberg Umeå IK
Josefine Öqvist Linköpings FC
Therese Sjögran LDB FC Malmö
Linda Forsberg Djurgården
Nilla Fischer LDB FC Malmö
Forwards
Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Jessica Landström Linköpings FC
Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK
Victoria Svensson Djurgården
Alternates:
Johanna Almgren Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Lisa Dahlkvist Umeå IK
Madelaine Edlund Umeå IK
* K.Hammarström or C.Jönsson
Svensk Fotboll: Ljungberg, Westberg och Jönsson med till OS
Goalkeepers:
Hedvig Lindahl Linköpings FC
* Kristin Hammarström Kif Örebro
* Caroline Jönsson LDB FC Malmö
Defenders:
Karolina Westberg Umeå IK
Stina Segerström Kif Örebro
Anna Paulson Umeå IK
Sara Thunebro Djurgården
Sara Larsson Linköpings FC
Charlotte Rohlin Linköpings FC
Midfielders:
Caroline Seger Linköpings FC
Frida Östberg Umeå IK
Josefine Öqvist Linköpings FC
Therese Sjögran LDB FC Malmö
Linda Forsberg Djurgården
Nilla Fischer LDB FC Malmö
Forwards
Lotta Schelin Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Jessica Landström Linköpings FC
Hanna Ljungberg Umeå IK
Victoria Svensson Djurgården
Alternates:
Johanna Almgren Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC
Lisa Dahlkvist Umeå IK
Madelaine Edlund Umeå IK
* K.Hammarström or C.Jönsson
Svensk Fotboll: Ljungberg, Westberg och Jönsson med till OS
Damallsvenskan: No more hope for Bälinge?
Umeå Södra FF - Bälinge IF 2 - 1 (0-0)
Umeå Södra: Minna Meriluoto - Anna Rehn, Kristina Åberg, Petra Vaelma, Anna Forss - Patricia Hägglund, Hanna Folkesson, Emma Sundberg, Victoria Forsmark (80 Vanessa Mångsén) - Linda Fransson, Jennifer Nobis (82 Therese Andersson)
Bälinge: Veronica Svensson - Karolina Mats, Lina Andersson, Nina Engström, Emma Lindqvist - Linda Blom (65 Julia Bhy), Natalie Spilger, Noelle Keselica - Jenny Jansson (58 Sarah Storck), Alexandra Hägglund, Katri Nokso-Koivisto (69 Ida Brännström)
Goals: 1-0 Linda Fransson (48), 2-0 Jennifer Nobis (69), 2-1 Julia Bhy (87)
A must-win match for both sides. Bälinge started best and both Natalie Spilger and Katri Nokso-Koivisto had shots in the wood-work. Umeå Södra, lucky to go to the half time rest with 0-0, turned the tide only minutes after second half kick-off, when Linda Fransson scored from a nicely headed ball by Jennifer Nobis. This seemed to take much of the will from the Bälinge players, and Umeå Södra dominated the rest of the match. In centre was Jennifer Nobis, both creative and hard-working. Her 2-0 goal did however create some uproar among the Bälinge players, as she won the ball and scored after tackling Bälinge's keeper.
Bälinge, now win-less for more than a year, lost all reasonable chances to avoid relegation, having lost both recent relegation zone matches. I don't rate Umeå Södra's chances much higher by the way, but it was an important win.
Västerbottenskuriren: Södra vann måstematchen
Upsala Nya Tidning: Bälinge åkte på stryk i måstematchen
Umeå Södra: Minna Meriluoto - Anna Rehn, Kristina Åberg, Petra Vaelma, Anna Forss - Patricia Hägglund, Hanna Folkesson, Emma Sundberg, Victoria Forsmark (80 Vanessa Mångsén) - Linda Fransson, Jennifer Nobis (82 Therese Andersson)
Bälinge: Veronica Svensson - Karolina Mats, Lina Andersson, Nina Engström, Emma Lindqvist - Linda Blom (65 Julia Bhy), Natalie Spilger, Noelle Keselica - Jenny Jansson (58 Sarah Storck), Alexandra Hägglund, Katri Nokso-Koivisto (69 Ida Brännström)
Goals: 1-0 Linda Fransson (48), 2-0 Jennifer Nobis (69), 2-1 Julia Bhy (87)
A must-win match for both sides. Bälinge started best and both Natalie Spilger and Katri Nokso-Koivisto had shots in the wood-work. Umeå Södra, lucky to go to the half time rest with 0-0, turned the tide only minutes after second half kick-off, when Linda Fransson scored from a nicely headed ball by Jennifer Nobis. This seemed to take much of the will from the Bälinge players, and Umeå Södra dominated the rest of the match. In centre was Jennifer Nobis, both creative and hard-working. Her 2-0 goal did however create some uproar among the Bälinge players, as she won the ball and scored after tackling Bälinge's keeper.
Bälinge, now win-less for more than a year, lost all reasonable chances to avoid relegation, having lost both recent relegation zone matches. I don't rate Umeå Södra's chances much higher by the way, but it was an important win.
Västerbottenskuriren: Södra vann måstematchen
Upsala Nya Tidning: Bälinge åkte på stryk i måstematchen
USA wins close match over Sweden
Sweden - USA 0-1 (0-1)
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Frida Östberg (69 Anna Paulson), Sara Larsson (18 Stina Segerström), Charlotte Rohlin (53 Karolina Westberg), Sara Thunebro - Nilla Fischer - Jessica Landström (74 Johanna Almgren), Caroline Seger (69 Lisa Dahlkvist), Therese Sjögran - Lotta Schelin (59 Hanna Ljungberg), Victoria Svensson
USA: Hope Solo (46 Nicole Barnhart) - Heather Mitts (46 Rachel Buehler), Kate Markgraf, Christie Rampone, Lori Chalupny - Heather O'Reilly (81 Aly Wagner), Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley (63 Angela Hucles) - Natasha Kai (81 Amy Rodriguez), Abby Wambach
Goals: 0-1 Carli Lloyd (39)
Sweden's head coach Thomas Dennerby declared after the match that he, in spite of the narrow loss, was very pleased with his team's performance: ”I'm really pleased with all the players today”.
USA never managed to take charge in the match, where Sweden played a very aggressive defensive high in the field. The first half showed good play from both sides with fast turns and good combinations in attack. USA's goal came from one of fairly few good chances from their side, as Sweden's maybe not quite coordinated defense let Carli Lloyd travel through the area unattacked. Her shot touched a Swedish defender and the changed direction caught Hedvig Lindahl on the wrong side. The match slowed down somewhat in the second half, as the American side seemed less attacking minded and more concerned of holdning on to their lead. Maybe a bit of travel fatigue?
Therese Sjögran was without doubt Sweden's player of the match, intelligent and composed, always dangerous on set pieces. She just lacked a bit of power and accuracy in front of goal. Lotta Schelin still didn't seem fully recovered from her early season injuries, but showed good initiatives. When she was traded for Hanna Ljungberg after about 60 minutes, Sweden's attack lost some of it's strength.
Dennerby used all his six possible substitutions and tried out all his defenders, probably in a last minute effort to decide which of the seven players to drop when he announces the player roster for the Olympic games Sunday evening. I don't know if it helped that much – all did well even if Sara Larsson had to leave early with a thigh muscle contusion. On the outsides Frida Östberg and Sara Thunebro did well, defensively but in particular in the attack.
Match pictures in tonight's SVT sports news, 10 min 29 into the clip. Including a couple of botched Sjögran opportunities. Schelin would have scored on those.
Sweden: Hedvig Lindahl - Frida Östberg (69 Anna Paulson), Sara Larsson (18 Stina Segerström), Charlotte Rohlin (53 Karolina Westberg), Sara Thunebro - Nilla Fischer - Jessica Landström (74 Johanna Almgren), Caroline Seger (69 Lisa Dahlkvist), Therese Sjögran - Lotta Schelin (59 Hanna Ljungberg), Victoria Svensson
USA: Hope Solo (46 Nicole Barnhart) - Heather Mitts (46 Rachel Buehler), Kate Markgraf, Christie Rampone, Lori Chalupny - Heather O'Reilly (81 Aly Wagner), Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Lindsay Tarpley (63 Angela Hucles) - Natasha Kai (81 Amy Rodriguez), Abby Wambach
Goals: 0-1 Carli Lloyd (39)
Sweden's head coach Thomas Dennerby declared after the match that he, in spite of the narrow loss, was very pleased with his team's performance: ”I'm really pleased with all the players today”.
USA never managed to take charge in the match, where Sweden played a very aggressive defensive high in the field. The first half showed good play from both sides with fast turns and good combinations in attack. USA's goal came from one of fairly few good chances from their side, as Sweden's maybe not quite coordinated defense let Carli Lloyd travel through the area unattacked. Her shot touched a Swedish defender and the changed direction caught Hedvig Lindahl on the wrong side. The match slowed down somewhat in the second half, as the American side seemed less attacking minded and more concerned of holdning on to their lead. Maybe a bit of travel fatigue?
Therese Sjögran was without doubt Sweden's player of the match, intelligent and composed, always dangerous on set pieces. She just lacked a bit of power and accuracy in front of goal. Lotta Schelin still didn't seem fully recovered from her early season injuries, but showed good initiatives. When she was traded for Hanna Ljungberg after about 60 minutes, Sweden's attack lost some of it's strength.
Dennerby used all his six possible substitutions and tried out all his defenders, probably in a last minute effort to decide which of the seven players to drop when he announces the player roster for the Olympic games Sunday evening. I don't know if it helped that much – all did well even if Sara Larsson had to leave early with a thigh muscle contusion. On the outsides Frida Östberg and Sara Thunebro did well, defensively but in particular in the attack.
Match pictures in tonight's SVT sports news, 10 min 29 into the clip. Including a couple of botched Sjögran opportunities. Schelin would have scored on those.
Sweden - USA: Hanna Ljungberg starts on the bench
Sweden's national team coach Thomas Dennerby announced the starting line-up already 24 hours before kick-off. Hanna Ljungberg, who hasn't played a full 90 minutes in ages, starts on the bench. Jessica Landström gets an unusual outside midfield position, subbing in for still slightly injured Josefine Öqvist, and in defense Dennerby starts with the Linköping duo Sara Larsson and Lotta Rohlin. Dennerby explained that if the choice between players is really close, as it is in Sweden's defense, he does take in account if some players knows each other and work together really well.
Sweden's starting eleven:
Hedvig Lindahl - Frida Östberg, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin, Sara Thunebro - Nilla Fischer - Jessica Landström, Caroline Seger, Therese Sjögran - Lotta Schelin, Victoria Svensson.
Svensk Fotboll: Tuff uppgift för Sverige (if you follow the link, there is also a presumed starting line-up for USA)
In an interview with SVT, Pia Sundhage says that managing USA is like eating the cake and still having it; you get to work with the best players in the world and you get to coach them like a club team. She feels a little sorry for Thomas Dennerby, who gets about as many weeks a year with his players as she gets months.
SVT: Sundhages landslag är också ett klubblag
Sweden's starting eleven:
Hedvig Lindahl - Frida Östberg, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin, Sara Thunebro - Nilla Fischer - Jessica Landström, Caroline Seger, Therese Sjögran - Lotta Schelin, Victoria Svensson.
Svensk Fotboll: Tuff uppgift för Sverige (if you follow the link, there is also a presumed starting line-up for USA)
In an interview with SVT, Pia Sundhage says that managing USA is like eating the cake and still having it; you get to work with the best players in the world and you get to coach them like a club team. She feels a little sorry for Thomas Dennerby, who gets about as many weeks a year with his players as she gets months.
SVT: Sundhages landslag är också ett klubblag
Damallsvenskan: Linköping wins again
The Swedish transfer window opened July 1. Already July 2 you could see the first two summer imports on the field. Even if neither Djurgården's Femke Maes or Malmö's Christina ”Carlos” Ørstedt made any match deciding contributions, they seem able improve their team's performance in the future.
AIK - Djurgårdens IF 2 - 0 (1-0)
AIK: Sofia Lundgren - Elin Karlsson, Frida Höglund, Linda Sembrant, Sofia Simonsson - Elin Ekblom Bak, Anne Mäkinen (67 Jessica Julin), Louise Fors - Emma Lundh, Laura Kalmari, Lisa De Vanna
Djurgården: Nadine Angerer - Anna Hall, Anne-Marie Norlin, Therese Brogårde, Sara Thunebro - Rebecca Johnson (46 Freja Hallenberg), Femke Maes, Ariane Hingst (70 Malin Engdahl), Mia Jalkerud (46 Anna Lagerberth) - Victoria Svensson, Linda Sällström
Goals: 1-0 Anne Mäkinen (14), 2-0 Lisa De Vanna (79)
Attendance: 1,075
AIK was eager to avenge the Swedish Cup loss to Djurgården recently and get the upper hand in the thightly fought competition for best Stockholm side. Everything worked out. AIK's Anne Mäkinen directed midfield outmaneuvered Djurgården's newly reinforced (Femke Maes) and Lisa de Vanna was a constant threat to Djurgården's goal. Djurgården's defense had big problems dealing with de Vanna while AIK at the same time could handle Djurgården's attacks, mostly passes from Hingst for Sällström to run for.
Dagens Nyheter: AIK fick revansch
Bälinge IF - Sunnanå SK 1 - 3 (1-1)
Bälinge: Veronica Svensson - Karolina Mats, Lina ANdersson, Natalie Spilger, Emma Lindqvist - Linda Blom (60 Lisa Lantz), Emilia Appelqvist, Julia Lyckberg (46 Emma Jonsson) - Alexandra Höglund, Noelle Keselica, Katri Nokso-Koivisto
Sunnanå: Åsa Berglund - Alexandra Nilsson, Rebecca Smith, Sanna Frostevall, Magdalena Esseryd (81 Sandra Berggren) - Anna Bodén, Josefin Johansson, Perpetua Nkwocha, Carina Holmberg (71 Kristina Wiklund) - Mirjam Marklund (78 Johanna Lindahl), Lina Johansson
Goals: 0-1 Perpetua Nkwocha (10 PK), 1-1 Emilia Appelqvist (36), 1-2 Lina Johansson (65), 1-3 Lina Johansson (84)
Attendance: 324
Bälinge hasn't won a match for almost a year now. The first half equaliser from Emilia Appelqvist might have given the home crowd some hope for a change in luck (it was indeed a lucky shot), but relegation competitors Sunnanå destroyed those hopes. Their team captain Lina Johasson was unusually efficient and created all the away goals, first getting the penalty call and then scoring two by herself. This was the first of three decisive games for the relegation crowd. The two next are Umeå Södra against Bälinge on Sunday and Sunnanå against Umeå Södra on Wednesday July 9. Any team losing both their matches have lost all realistic chances to avoid relegation.
Upsala Nya Tidning: Bälinge klarade inte av att vända trenden
Norra Västerbotten: Lina – planens gigant
Kristianstads DFF - Kif Örebro 1 - 3 (1-1)
Kristianstad: Sandra Wahldén - Sandra Jönsson, Ifeoma Dieke, Kia McNiell, Therese Persson (51 Maria Åhlund) - Pernilla Falk (73 Angelique Sandberg), Sofia Persson, Therese Björk, Johanna Rosén - Frida Petersson, Susanne Moberg
Örebro: Kristin Hammarström - Lena Andersson (81 Ingrid Ericson), Sanna Valkonen, Stina Segerström, Susanna Lehtinen - Marie Hammarström, Leena Puranen (46 Caroline Näfver), Hanna Pettersson (73 Kim Ekebom), Maria Nordbrant - Marina Pettersson, Elin Magnusson
Goals: 0-1 Hanna Pettersson (38), 1-1 Johanna Rosén (41), 1-2 Maria Nordbrant (60), 1-3 Maria Nordbrant (83)
Attendance: 1,235
Kristianstad has a good home record so far and they matched up to guesting Örebro fairly well on the field. But Örebro, a team of seasoned veterans compared to Kristianstad, proved much more ruthless and efficient in front of goal and Maria Nordbrant showed, after having injury problems earlier this season, that she is getting back in the form that got her a national team call-up last year. Örebro had big problems scoring initially this season, but has now ten goals in three matches. This, combined with their reliable defense, might let us see a move up in the table. Kristianstad's Sofia Persson said after the match, that they were getting really tired now and were looking forward to the break. The busy playing schedule and the much harder competition in Damallsvenskan has wore down the newcomers.
Kristianstadsbladet: Vi har sett det förr, KDFF
Nerikes Allehanda: Maria Nordbrandt sänkte bottenlaget Kristianstad
LDB FC Malmö - Linköping FC 1 - 3 (0-2)
Malmö: Caroline Jönsson - Therese Jönsson, Christina Ørntoft, Emma Wilhelmsson, Lina Nilsson - Therese Sjögran, Nilla Fischer (46 Maria Aronsson) - Emma Stålhammar (71 Frida Nordin), Dora Stefansdottir (46 Therese Lundin), Pavlina Scasna - Manon Melis
Linköping: Hedvig Lindahl - Maja Krantz, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin (82 Marie-Louise Skålberg), Anna-Kaisa Rantanen - Kosovare Asllani, Daniela, Caroline Seger, Maria Karlsson (68 Ann Westermark) - Cristiane (77 Petra Larsson), Jessica Landström
Goals: 0-1 Maria Karlsson (44), 0-2 Daniela (45), 1-2 Therese Sjögran (65), 1-3 Kosovare Asllani (70)
Attendance: 1,261
When you see Therese Sjögran running around in her defensive half as some kind of midfield sweeper, winning back the ball and tidying up defensive messes, you know Malmö is under pressure. This was that kind of match.
Linköping played fast, with good movement and mainly one-touch passes. Daniela was shining, the obvious centre of the team. Linköping's confident play stressed Malmö, that often played the ball sideways in their own half, looking for an opening, and the defense was strong. Sara Larsson in particular had a very good day, shutting down Malmö's dangerous midfielder Pavlina Scasna.
In spite of Linköping's dominance in possession, actual scoring chances were few and even between the teams. Not until the final first half minutes did Linköping manage to score, in both cases gifted the ball by the Malmö defense. Linköping was aggressive and accurate in midfield, winning almost everything against the very pale Dora Stefansdottir and Nina Fischer, both replaced by coach Jörgen Pettersson at halftime. He later admitted that he shouldn't have started Fischer, still suffering from the fever she had a few days ago.
The halftime changes helped Malmö's game and made Linköping work hard to keep on top. Sjögran's 65 minute goal gave back some energy to her team, but Kosovare Asllani could restore order as she scored with a great shot from the edge of the area, served by Daniela In the final quarter, Malmö brought up debutant Ørstedt to the midfield, leaving just three in defense, trying to catch up, but unsuccessfully. Linköping's Asllani admitted that they were really tired towards the end of the match, ”we were on our knees”, but they held on to win a deserved victory.
Sydsvenskan: LDB-förlust mot serieledarna
Corren: Stukad Asllani njöt av drömmålet
AIK - Djurgårdens IF 2 - 0 (1-0)
AIK: Sofia Lundgren - Elin Karlsson, Frida Höglund, Linda Sembrant, Sofia Simonsson - Elin Ekblom Bak, Anne Mäkinen (67 Jessica Julin), Louise Fors - Emma Lundh, Laura Kalmari, Lisa De Vanna
Djurgården: Nadine Angerer - Anna Hall, Anne-Marie Norlin, Therese Brogårde, Sara Thunebro - Rebecca Johnson (46 Freja Hallenberg), Femke Maes, Ariane Hingst (70 Malin Engdahl), Mia Jalkerud (46 Anna Lagerberth) - Victoria Svensson, Linda Sällström
Goals: 1-0 Anne Mäkinen (14), 2-0 Lisa De Vanna (79)
Attendance: 1,075
AIK was eager to avenge the Swedish Cup loss to Djurgården recently and get the upper hand in the thightly fought competition for best Stockholm side. Everything worked out. AIK's Anne Mäkinen directed midfield outmaneuvered Djurgården's newly reinforced (Femke Maes) and Lisa de Vanna was a constant threat to Djurgården's goal. Djurgården's defense had big problems dealing with de Vanna while AIK at the same time could handle Djurgården's attacks, mostly passes from Hingst for Sällström to run for.
Dagens Nyheter: AIK fick revansch
Bälinge IF - Sunnanå SK 1 - 3 (1-1)
Bälinge: Veronica Svensson - Karolina Mats, Lina ANdersson, Natalie Spilger, Emma Lindqvist - Linda Blom (60 Lisa Lantz), Emilia Appelqvist, Julia Lyckberg (46 Emma Jonsson) - Alexandra Höglund, Noelle Keselica, Katri Nokso-Koivisto
Sunnanå: Åsa Berglund - Alexandra Nilsson, Rebecca Smith, Sanna Frostevall, Magdalena Esseryd (81 Sandra Berggren) - Anna Bodén, Josefin Johansson, Perpetua Nkwocha, Carina Holmberg (71 Kristina Wiklund) - Mirjam Marklund (78 Johanna Lindahl), Lina Johansson
Goals: 0-1 Perpetua Nkwocha (10 PK), 1-1 Emilia Appelqvist (36), 1-2 Lina Johansson (65), 1-3 Lina Johansson (84)
Attendance: 324
Bälinge hasn't won a match for almost a year now. The first half equaliser from Emilia Appelqvist might have given the home crowd some hope for a change in luck (it was indeed a lucky shot), but relegation competitors Sunnanå destroyed those hopes. Their team captain Lina Johasson was unusually efficient and created all the away goals, first getting the penalty call and then scoring two by herself. This was the first of three decisive games for the relegation crowd. The two next are Umeå Södra against Bälinge on Sunday and Sunnanå against Umeå Södra on Wednesday July 9. Any team losing both their matches have lost all realistic chances to avoid relegation.
Upsala Nya Tidning: Bälinge klarade inte av att vända trenden
Norra Västerbotten: Lina – planens gigant
Kristianstads DFF - Kif Örebro 1 - 3 (1-1)
Kristianstad: Sandra Wahldén - Sandra Jönsson, Ifeoma Dieke, Kia McNiell, Therese Persson (51 Maria Åhlund) - Pernilla Falk (73 Angelique Sandberg), Sofia Persson, Therese Björk, Johanna Rosén - Frida Petersson, Susanne Moberg
Örebro: Kristin Hammarström - Lena Andersson (81 Ingrid Ericson), Sanna Valkonen, Stina Segerström, Susanna Lehtinen - Marie Hammarström, Leena Puranen (46 Caroline Näfver), Hanna Pettersson (73 Kim Ekebom), Maria Nordbrant - Marina Pettersson, Elin Magnusson
Goals: 0-1 Hanna Pettersson (38), 1-1 Johanna Rosén (41), 1-2 Maria Nordbrant (60), 1-3 Maria Nordbrant (83)
Attendance: 1,235
Kristianstad has a good home record so far and they matched up to guesting Örebro fairly well on the field. But Örebro, a team of seasoned veterans compared to Kristianstad, proved much more ruthless and efficient in front of goal and Maria Nordbrant showed, after having injury problems earlier this season, that she is getting back in the form that got her a national team call-up last year. Örebro had big problems scoring initially this season, but has now ten goals in three matches. This, combined with their reliable defense, might let us see a move up in the table. Kristianstad's Sofia Persson said after the match, that they were getting really tired now and were looking forward to the break. The busy playing schedule and the much harder competition in Damallsvenskan has wore down the newcomers.
Kristianstadsbladet: Vi har sett det förr, KDFF
Nerikes Allehanda: Maria Nordbrandt sänkte bottenlaget Kristianstad
LDB FC Malmö - Linköping FC 1 - 3 (0-2)
Malmö: Caroline Jönsson - Therese Jönsson, Christina Ørntoft, Emma Wilhelmsson, Lina Nilsson - Therese Sjögran, Nilla Fischer (46 Maria Aronsson) - Emma Stålhammar (71 Frida Nordin), Dora Stefansdottir (46 Therese Lundin), Pavlina Scasna - Manon Melis
Linköping: Hedvig Lindahl - Maja Krantz, Sara Larsson, Charlotte Rohlin (82 Marie-Louise Skålberg), Anna-Kaisa Rantanen - Kosovare Asllani, Daniela, Caroline Seger, Maria Karlsson (68 Ann Westermark) - Cristiane (77 Petra Larsson), Jessica Landström
Goals: 0-1 Maria Karlsson (44), 0-2 Daniela (45), 1-2 Therese Sjögran (65), 1-3 Kosovare Asllani (70)
Attendance: 1,261
When you see Therese Sjögran running around in her defensive half as some kind of midfield sweeper, winning back the ball and tidying up defensive messes, you know Malmö is under pressure. This was that kind of match.
Linköping played fast, with good movement and mainly one-touch passes. Daniela was shining, the obvious centre of the team. Linköping's confident play stressed Malmö, that often played the ball sideways in their own half, looking for an opening, and the defense was strong. Sara Larsson in particular had a very good day, shutting down Malmö's dangerous midfielder Pavlina Scasna.
In spite of Linköping's dominance in possession, actual scoring chances were few and even between the teams. Not until the final first half minutes did Linköping manage to score, in both cases gifted the ball by the Malmö defense. Linköping was aggressive and accurate in midfield, winning almost everything against the very pale Dora Stefansdottir and Nina Fischer, both replaced by coach Jörgen Pettersson at halftime. He later admitted that he shouldn't have started Fischer, still suffering from the fever she had a few days ago.
The halftime changes helped Malmö's game and made Linköping work hard to keep on top. Sjögran's 65 minute goal gave back some energy to her team, but Kosovare Asllani could restore order as she scored with a great shot from the edge of the area, served by Daniela In the final quarter, Malmö brought up debutant Ørstedt to the midfield, leaving just three in defense, trying to catch up, but unsuccessfully. Linköping's Asllani admitted that they were really tired towards the end of the match, ”we were on our knees”, but they held on to win a deserved victory.
Sydsvenskan: LDB-förlust mot serieledarna
Corren: Stukad Asllani njöt av drömmålet
Players caught thieves
During Umeå IK's morning practise, two women had gained access to the locker-room and tried to get away with the players cellphones, wallets and other valuables. They were discovered and when they tried to escape, Umeå's Frida Östberg and Lisa Dahlkvist ran after, caught up and brought them back to Umeå's club house where they turned them over to the police.
Lisa Dahlkvist thought it was really exciting, "I've always wanted to be a police officer", while Frida Östberg, "not scared, just pissed-off", commented that the thieves probably tried to out-run the wrong people.
Expressen: Frida Östberg stoppade tjuvar
Västerbottenskuriren: UIK-stjärna grep tjuvar på bar gärning
Lisa Dahlkvist thought it was really exciting, "I've always wanted to be a police officer", while Frida Östberg, "not scared, just pissed-off", commented that the thieves probably tried to out-run the wrong people.
Expressen: Frida Östberg stoppade tjuvar
Västerbottenskuriren: UIK-stjärna grep tjuvar på bar gärning
Djurgården confirms Femke Maes signing
Djurgården today announced that they have come to an agreement with Belgian national team midfielder Femke Maes. The contract is initially over the next half year, but there is an option for another year. Maes, who won the MVP award in the Dutch league where she has been playing for Willem II, is called a skilled technical player by Djurgården's coach Anders Johansson, "a kind of player that we don't see many of in Damallsvenskan".
Femke Maes will be available to play tonight in the Stockholm derby against AIK.
Djurgården has also signed Freja Hellenberg, a young defender from Alvsjö AIK, who plays on Sweden's U19 team.
Djurgården: Femke Maes till Djurgården
Femke Maes will be available to play tonight in the Stockholm derby against AIK.
Djurgården has also signed Freja Hellenberg, a young defender from Alvsjö AIK, who plays on Sweden's U19 team.
Djurgården: Femke Maes till Djurgården
Damallsvenskan: Narrow win for Umeå
Hammarby IF - Umeå IK 1 - 2 (1-2)
Hammarby: Kathrin Lehmann - Malin Nilsson (46 Anna Lindblom), Elin Sölveskog, Karin Lissel, Kristin Bengtsson - Madeleine Tegström, Jennie Jonsson - Sara Johansson, Nazanin Vaseghpanah, Andrea Comeneci (46 Hodan Siid-Ahmed) - Lisa Björkvik (74 Therese Dahlberg)
Umeå: Ulla-Karin Rönnlund - Anna Paulsson, Karolina Westberg, Johanna Frisk, Frida Östberg - Lisa Dahlkvist, Hanna Ljungberg (65 Emma Åberg-Zingmark), Mami Yamaguchi - Ramona Bachmann (72 Sofia Jacobsson), Madeleine Edlund, Johanna Rasmussen
Goals: 0-1 Hanna Ljungberg (10), 1-1 Lisa Björkvik (33), 1-2 Johanna Rasmussen (43)
Attendance: 1,372
Hanna Ljungberg, slowly getting back in shape, scored for guesting Umeå already in the 10th minute. Umeå played great football and came to the halftime recess with the lead, even if Hammarby had managed to equalise against the play. Lisa Björkvik took advantage of a mistake from Anna Paulsson and had no problems scoring one-on-one with keeper Rönnlund. Johanna Rasmussen took back the lead to Umeå with a direct free-kick. But in the second half, things didn't work out as well for Umeå.
"You really have to work hard for the points this season", said Hanna Ljungberg, after almost having to spend more time on defending than attacking in the 2nd half. Coach Jeglertz talked about his players getting stressed, knowing that they can't afford to lose more points on leading Linköping.
Hammarby's Nazanin Vaseghpanah thought they had a great second half, and was very disappointed with the defeat. But, she said, just playing good isn't enough. You need to get the ball in there.
Radiosporten: Hanna Ljungberg målskytt när Umeå vann
Västerbottenskuriren: Målande start av Hanna Ljungberg
Hammarby: Kathrin Lehmann - Malin Nilsson (46 Anna Lindblom), Elin Sölveskog, Karin Lissel, Kristin Bengtsson - Madeleine Tegström, Jennie Jonsson - Sara Johansson, Nazanin Vaseghpanah, Andrea Comeneci (46 Hodan Siid-Ahmed) - Lisa Björkvik (74 Therese Dahlberg)
Umeå: Ulla-Karin Rönnlund - Anna Paulsson, Karolina Westberg, Johanna Frisk, Frida Östberg - Lisa Dahlkvist, Hanna Ljungberg (65 Emma Åberg-Zingmark), Mami Yamaguchi - Ramona Bachmann (72 Sofia Jacobsson), Madeleine Edlund, Johanna Rasmussen
Goals: 0-1 Hanna Ljungberg (10), 1-1 Lisa Björkvik (33), 1-2 Johanna Rasmussen (43)
Attendance: 1,372
Hanna Ljungberg, slowly getting back in shape, scored for guesting Umeå already in the 10th minute. Umeå played great football and came to the halftime recess with the lead, even if Hammarby had managed to equalise against the play. Lisa Björkvik took advantage of a mistake from Anna Paulsson and had no problems scoring one-on-one with keeper Rönnlund. Johanna Rasmussen took back the lead to Umeå with a direct free-kick. But in the second half, things didn't work out as well for Umeå.
"You really have to work hard for the points this season", said Hanna Ljungberg, after almost having to spend more time on defending than attacking in the 2nd half. Coach Jeglertz talked about his players getting stressed, knowing that they can't afford to lose more points on leading Linköping.
Hammarby's Nazanin Vaseghpanah thought they had a great second half, and was very disappointed with the defeat. But, she said, just playing good isn't enough. You need to get the ball in there.
Radiosporten: Hanna Ljungberg målskytt när Umeå vann
Västerbottenskuriren: Målande start av Hanna Ljungberg
Extended Brazilian contracts too expensive for Linköping?
Linköping's two Brazilian's Daniela and Cristiane, and in particular the former, has played a big part in the club's recent success, at the present leading Damallsvenskan with 8 points down to chasing Umeå. But their contracts finishes when the league next week goes on a 50 days break for the Olympic games. Linköping obviously wants to keep Daniela and Cristiane for the rest of the season, but it will be expensive. As long as they were on a short term contracts, they had great tax benefits, but once they stay more than six months in Sweden they will have to pay full taxes for the entire period. An extension of the contracts until the league finished in October will thus cost Linköping as much as SEK 1 million.
"For a club with a SEK 7 million a year turnover, this is really big figures", said Linköping FC chairman Christer Mård. It could be worth it, he continued, but the club don't want to risk damaging their finances. Fortunately, they have some time to find a solution before Damallsvenskan resumes the last week in August.
Both Daniela and Cristiane has expressed their wishes to return to Linköping after the Olympics.
Corren: Extrakostnad för LFC: en miljon
"For a club with a SEK 7 million a year turnover, this is really big figures", said Linköping FC chairman Christer Mård. It could be worth it, he continued, but the club don't want to risk damaging their finances. Fortunately, they have some time to find a solution before Damallsvenskan resumes the last week in August.
Both Daniela and Cristiane has expressed their wishes to return to Linköping after the Olympics.
Corren: Extrakostnad för LFC: en miljon