Kristianstad hires Icelandic head coach
Kristrianstads DFF has announced that they have hired Elisabet Gunnarsdottir from Iceland's champions Valur as their new head coach. The 32 years old Gunnarsdottir has coached Valur to four championships during her five years with the club and has also been responsible for Iceland's U21 team and been assistant coach for the senior national side.
Gunnarsdottir says that she has been thinking about an international career and when she heard of the opening in Kristianstad, she sent her résumé to the club. After one meeting with her, Kristianstad's sport director Ulf Berglund was convinced. Gunnarsdottir will be the first foreign coach to work in Damallsvenskan. At least I think so. Am I missing someone?
There has, of course, been some speculation if Gunnarsdottir will bring any of Valur's players with her. Valur's star striker Margret Lara Vidarsdottir, who has already stated that she plans to leave Iceland, is probably high on the wish-list for Kristianstad. But they seem to have competiton from at least Umeå and from Los Angeles in the American league.
Norra Skåne: Isländska tar över rodret i Kristianstads DFF
Kristianstadsbladet: Isländskan på blixtvisit
Other coach news is that Sunnanå's Rainer Eskelinen has quit the club after only one year of his two year contract. He says that he is disappointed with the results (Sunnanå finished 10th after being 5th the 2007 season) and his resigning is a mutual agreement between him and the club.
Norra Västerbotten: Rainer lämnar Sunnanå efter bara ett år
Linköping's Daniel Pettersson has been much more successful in his second year with the club, challenging Umeå almost to the finish line, but will leave. The 35 year old has allegedly been offered a promising non-football job.
Corren: Pettersson slutar i Linköpings FC
LDB FC's Jörgen Pettersson has decided to use his option to stay for a fourth year as head coach. This is in spite of being offered the same job with a men's team in the Superettan, the second level in Sweden's men's league system. He explained that he doesn't think that he has completed his work in Malmö yet and would like to be able to do that.
Sydsvenskan: Petterson stannar och Marta är aktuell igen
Gunnarsdottir says that she has been thinking about an international career and when she heard of the opening in Kristianstad, she sent her résumé to the club. After one meeting with her, Kristianstad's sport director Ulf Berglund was convinced. Gunnarsdottir will be the first foreign coach to work in Damallsvenskan. At least I think so. Am I missing someone?
There has, of course, been some speculation if Gunnarsdottir will bring any of Valur's players with her. Valur's star striker Margret Lara Vidarsdottir, who has already stated that she plans to leave Iceland, is probably high on the wish-list for Kristianstad. But they seem to have competiton from at least Umeå and from Los Angeles in the American league.
Norra Skåne: Isländska tar över rodret i Kristianstads DFF
Kristianstadsbladet: Isländskan på blixtvisit
Other coach news is that Sunnanå's Rainer Eskelinen has quit the club after only one year of his two year contract. He says that he is disappointed with the results (Sunnanå finished 10th after being 5th the 2007 season) and his resigning is a mutual agreement between him and the club.
Norra Västerbotten: Rainer lämnar Sunnanå efter bara ett år
Linköping's Daniel Pettersson has been much more successful in his second year with the club, challenging Umeå almost to the finish line, but will leave. The 35 year old has allegedly been offered a promising non-football job.
Corren: Pettersson slutar i Linköpings FC
LDB FC's Jörgen Pettersson has decided to use his option to stay for a fourth year as head coach. This is in spite of being offered the same job with a men's team in the Superettan, the second level in Sweden's men's league system. He explained that he doesn't think that he has completed his work in Malmö yet and would like to be able to do that.
Sydsvenskan: Petterson stannar och Marta är aktuell igen
Caroline Jönsson leaves Malmö
LDB FC Malmö and Sweden goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson has decided to leave her club after a decade. She has started her psychology studies at Umeå University, and there is no reasonable way she can commute between Malmö and Umeå for training and matches - it's 1,250 kilometres.
Jönsson says it's an emotional decision to leave her club "I've really put my heart into the club. At the same time it will be exciting to do something different."
She is not planning to quit playing and she is keeping the door open for the WPS league, where she has been drafted by Red Stars Chicago. "There isn't any big money involved, but it would be an adventure and a chance to develop as a person".
Almost at the same time as Jönsson released the news that she is leaving LDB FC, the club could announce her successor, Denmark's national team goalkeeper Tine Cederkvist. Cederkvist, who has been playing her club football with Danish champions Brøndby, has signed a two year deal.
Sydsvenskan: Caroline Jönsson slutar i LDB FC
Jönsson says it's an emotional decision to leave her club "I've really put my heart into the club. At the same time it will be exciting to do something different."
She is not planning to quit playing and she is keeping the door open for the WPS league, where she has been drafted by Red Stars Chicago. "There isn't any big money involved, but it would be an adventure and a chance to develop as a person".
Almost at the same time as Jönsson released the news that she is leaving LDB FC, the club could announce her successor, Denmark's national team goalkeeper Tine Cederkvist. Cederkvist, who has been playing her club football with Danish champions Brøndby, has signed a two year deal.
Sydsvenskan: Caroline Jönsson slutar i LDB FC
Öqvist to Umeå?
Umeå IK's manager Andrée Jeglertz admits that Linköping's Josefine Öqvist is one of his targets, when he's planning Umå's roster for 2009: "She is a very interesting player. The way we play, she would fit in very well". Öqvist, whose contract with Linköping runs out after this season, says that she is also talking to Linköping and that they've agreed to wait with any decisions until the season in completed. But she says that the possibility for Linköping to play UEFA Women's Cup next year - UEFA will probably expand the competition with a second team from the top leagues - and which of her team mates that decides to renew their contracts are factors that will influence her decision.
Several other clubs are tugging at Linköping's key players. Umeå's plans might include Kosovare Asllani, who also has recieved attention from Malmö. Djurgården has shown interest in Anna-Kaisa Rantanen and then of course the American WPS league has drafted Brazilian midfielder Daniela. And the club offering a move to goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl is Göteborg FC. If all these should leave Linköping, they're in for a difficult 2009. But I doubt it will end that way.
Corren: "Öqvist skulle passa bra hos oss"
Västerbottenskuriren: UIK vill ha Linköpings stjärnor
Several other clubs are tugging at Linköping's key players. Umeå's plans might include Kosovare Asllani, who also has recieved attention from Malmö. Djurgården has shown interest in Anna-Kaisa Rantanen and then of course the American WPS league has drafted Brazilian midfielder Daniela. And the club offering a move to goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl is Göteborg FC. If all these should leave Linköping, they're in for a difficult 2009. But I doubt it will end that way.
Corren: "Öqvist skulle passa bra hos oss"
Västerbottenskuriren: UIK vill ha Linköpings stjärnor
Hedvig Lindahl on the move?
National team goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl confirms that she has been approached by another Damallsvenskan club. She says that she is not adverse to moving - she's been with Linköping for five years. "I am talking to Linköping too and I haven't closed any doors. But no matter how good things are you will reach the point where you need to move on to continue developing", Lindahl comments and adds "I don't know if that time is now or next year or maybe the next". She also denies that the LDB FC Malmö, the club where she played back-up keeper before she moved to Linköping, is the one showing interest.
Corren: Allsvensk klubb jagar LFC-stjärnan
Corren: Allsvensk klubb jagar LFC-stjärnan
Göteborg wants Segerström and other transfer rumours
Kif Örebro's national team centre back Stina Segerström has been talking with Kopparbergs/Göteborg about changing teams. Stina confirms that, but says that she will not make any comments about her future until the season is finished. Göteborg's head coach Torbjörn Nilsson says that she has announced his intentions to Örebro's management and calls the Örebro defender "a rock".
Rickard Holmlund, Kif Örebro's coach, says that he is interested in signing 20 years old goalscorer Erika Blomstrand. Blomstrand has scored 15 goals in the 1st division, where she plays for Eskilstuna United.
Nerikes Allehanda: Segerström bekräftar Göteborgs intresse, Kif Örebro jagar ung skyttedrottning
Hanna Folkesson, 20 years old midfielder in relegated Umeå Södra, will mosty likely continue to play in Damallsvenskan. Several clubs are said to be interested, among them Örebro, AIK, Hammarby and Sunnanå. And, the maybe most interesting alternative, Umeå IK. But, Hanna says, she hasn't got any contract proposal yet.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Hanna hett villebråd
Sunnanå's U23 player JosefinJohansson is said to be wanted by both Linköping and LDB Malmö. She comments that "It's very flattering that teams like that are interested", but might very well stay in Sunnanå. And sport director Sören Gustafsson knows about the interest for his midfielder and says the club will make a big effort to keep her.
Norra Västerbotten: Johansson stekhet på marknaden
And finally, there is some speculation if the current financial crisis in USA (and the world) would make the USA league investors more unwilling to put up big money to sign Marta. That could benefit Umeå, but on the other hand, as Umeå general manager Britta Åkerlund says, Swedish investors would be more cautious too.
There is also talk about Iceland's Margret Lara Vidarsdottir going to Umeå. She doesn't commit to anything, but says that it is an opportunity for her. Vidarsdottir is just as Marta drafted by the Los Angeles club.
SVT: Finanskris kan rädda Marta kvar i Umeå (video)
Rickard Holmlund, Kif Örebro's coach, says that he is interested in signing 20 years old goalscorer Erika Blomstrand. Blomstrand has scored 15 goals in the 1st division, where she plays for Eskilstuna United.
Nerikes Allehanda: Segerström bekräftar Göteborgs intresse, Kif Örebro jagar ung skyttedrottning
Hanna Folkesson, 20 years old midfielder in relegated Umeå Södra, will mosty likely continue to play in Damallsvenskan. Several clubs are said to be interested, among them Örebro, AIK, Hammarby and Sunnanå. And, the maybe most interesting alternative, Umeå IK. But, Hanna says, she hasn't got any contract proposal yet.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Hanna hett villebråd
Sunnanå's U23 player JosefinJohansson is said to be wanted by both Linköping and LDB Malmö. She comments that "It's very flattering that teams like that are interested", but might very well stay in Sunnanå. And sport director Sören Gustafsson knows about the interest for his midfielder and says the club will make a big effort to keep her.
Norra Västerbotten: Johansson stekhet på marknaden
And finally, there is some speculation if the current financial crisis in USA (and the world) would make the USA league investors more unwilling to put up big money to sign Marta. That could benefit Umeå, but on the other hand, as Umeå general manager Britta Åkerlund says, Swedish investors would be more cautious too.
There is also talk about Iceland's Margret Lara Vidarsdottir going to Umeå. She doesn't commit to anything, but says that it is an opportunity for her. Vidarsdottir is just as Marta drafted by the Los Angeles club.
SVT: Finanskris kan rädda Marta kvar i Umeå (video)
Kristianstad trio to Cyprus
Three Kristianstad players, Ifeoma Dieke, Therese Björck och Vlora Bajraktaraj, has accepted an offer to play for Salamina, the second best team in the Cyprus' women's league. Björck and Bajraktaraj will take the trip to the Mediterranean island as soon as the Swedish season is completed while Dieke will play for Scotland in their play-off for the 2009 European championships. "It will be fun, a little adventure", said Bajraktaraj
The season in Cyprus is from November to May, but the Swedish players will not stay that long: "These are players we want back", said manager Ulf Berglund.
Kristianstad has ties with Salamina since they played each other during the Swedish club's Cyprus training camp in April. Women's football on Cyprus doesn't hold very high standard. Salamina lost 10-0 to Kristianstad when they met during the training camp. But there still seems to be some money involved. The players gets the flight paid, free food and lodging and an allowance.
Berglund also comments on Ifeoma Dieke's future with Kristianstad. She has been drafted by Chicago Red Stars in the American WPS league, but he still sees a possibility to keep her: "She wants to continue playing for Scotland and then staying in Sweden is a good alternative."
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF-trio väljer spel på Cypern
The season in Cyprus is from November to May, but the Swedish players will not stay that long: "These are players we want back", said manager Ulf Berglund.
Kristianstad has ties with Salamina since they played each other during the Swedish club's Cyprus training camp in April. Women's football on Cyprus doesn't hold very high standard. Salamina lost 10-0 to Kristianstad when they met during the training camp. But there still seems to be some money involved. The players gets the flight paid, free food and lodging and an allowance.
Berglund also comments on Ifeoma Dieke's future with Kristianstad. She has been drafted by Chicago Red Stars in the American WPS league, but he still sees a possibility to keep her: "She wants to continue playing for Scotland and then staying in Sweden is a good alternative."
Kristianstadsbladet: KDFF-trio väljer spel på Cypern
Hanna Marklund makes come-back!
Hanna Marklund is back! In her blog at the local newspaper Västerbottens Folkblad, she announces today that she will play the next Damallsvenskan season for Sunnanå. Hanna gave birth to a daughter, Elma, this summer.
"When I finished playing, I thought I was done with football. But now when I have my motivation back and the child is borned, there is no reason not to play."
She thinks it will be perfect to be on maternity leave from her day-job and play for Sunnanå. She's really looking forward to play again and is longing for the preseason training in January 2009.
She has signed a one year deal with her club Sunnanå, but it might be more years, she says. Sören Gustafsson from the club management is more than pleased that Hanna Marklund has decided to return to the game: "It's fantastic! She's got great leadership qualities and still has a lot to contribute with on the field".
Asked if she had been thinking about the national team, Hanna answered that she hasn't and she wasn't ready to make any decisions about it yet. National team coach Thomas Dennerby was delighted to hear that Hanna will make a come-back: "She is a fantastic player", but was pretty neutral to the national team come-back question: "All good players are interesting", but didn't rule out having a mother playing for the national team "Just look at USA's centre backs [Rampone and Markgraf]. They are both back after having children."
Västerbottens Folkblad: Comeback, Hanna Marklund gör comeback i Sunnanå
Norra Västerbotten: Hanna gör comeback
SVT: Marklund gör comeback i Sunnanå (video interview, with baby)
"When I finished playing, I thought I was done with football. But now when I have my motivation back and the child is borned, there is no reason not to play."
She thinks it will be perfect to be on maternity leave from her day-job and play for Sunnanå. She's really looking forward to play again and is longing for the preseason training in January 2009.
She has signed a one year deal with her club Sunnanå, but it might be more years, she says. Sören Gustafsson from the club management is more than pleased that Hanna Marklund has decided to return to the game: "It's fantastic! She's got great leadership qualities and still has a lot to contribute with on the field".
Asked if she had been thinking about the national team, Hanna answered that she hasn't and she wasn't ready to make any decisions about it yet. National team coach Thomas Dennerby was delighted to hear that Hanna will make a come-back: "She is a fantastic player", but was pretty neutral to the national team come-back question: "All good players are interesting", but didn't rule out having a mother playing for the national team "Just look at USA's centre backs [Rampone and Markgraf]. They are both back after having children."
Västerbottens Folkblad: Comeback, Hanna Marklund gör comeback i Sunnanå
Norra Västerbotten: Hanna gör comeback
SVT: Marklund gör comeback i Sunnanå (video interview, with baby)
Nazanin Vaseghpanah renews Hammarby contract
Nazanin Vaseghpanah, who recently got her first cap for the full national side, has signed a new contract with Hammarby for 2009. Sport director Annelie Norén says that with the signing of Vaseghpanah, arguably Hammarby's best player this season, and Daniella Chamoun the core of the 2009 team is complete. Now they will try to sign some interesting new players.
Hammarby: Naza och Danni även 2009
Hammarby: Naza och Danni även 2009
Malin Andersson to coach Kristianstad?
As noted here earlier, Kristianstad DFF's coach duo Ulf Palmquist and Thomas Mårtensson will leave the club after the season. Several local names has been mentioned as possible successors. One of them is by all means local - grew up in the hamlet of Arkelstorp just north of town - but Malin Andersson is known for more than being a local girl. With 156 caps and 5 Swedish league titles she is one of Sweden's most well known players.
Malin Andersson is currently serving as coach for Sweden's women's U23 team, which is a part time gig and should be possible to combine with a club coach position. She is surprised but slightly flattered when asked by a local newspaper journalist: "I haven't even thought about it. But I will think about it if I get the question".
Kristianstad's sport director Ulf Berglund confirms his interest "She is on the list", but adds that he is also talking to other candidates.
Norra Skåne: KDFF jagar Malin Andersson
Malin Andersson is currently serving as coach for Sweden's women's U23 team, which is a part time gig and should be possible to combine with a club coach position. She is surprised but slightly flattered when asked by a local newspaper journalist: "I haven't even thought about it. But I will think about it if I get the question".
Kristianstad's sport director Ulf Berglund confirms his interest "She is on the list", but adds that he is also talking to other candidates.
Norra Skåne: KDFF jagar Malin Andersson
Kristianstad's Dieke drafted by Chicago
Ifeoma Dieke, Kristianstad's Scottish defender, has been drafted by the WPS club Chicago Red Stars in the general draft that was performed earlier today. This could put a dent in southern Swedish club's ambitions to re-sign her for the 2009 season. This is still pretty fresh news, so no comments from any of the involved yet.
The general draft also included former Bälinge player Joanna Lohman, who was drafted by St Louis. Lohman left Bälinge mid-season with a persistant back injury, and it sounded like the injury possibly could be career-ending. Good for her if that turned out to be wrong.
The general draft was the third event for distribution of player rights between the WPS clubs, following the allocation of US national team players and the international draft. The next draft will be in January 2009.
WPS: WPS General Draft Results
Norra Skåne: Dieke till Chicago
The general draft also included former Bälinge player Joanna Lohman, who was drafted by St Louis. Lohman left Bälinge mid-season with a persistant back injury, and it sounded like the injury possibly could be career-ending. Good for her if that turned out to be wrong.
The general draft was the third event for distribution of player rights between the WPS clubs, following the allocation of US national team players and the international draft. The next draft will be in January 2009.
WPS: WPS General Draft Results
Norra Skåne: Dieke till Chicago
Holmlund coaches Örebro two more years
Kif Örebro's head coach Richard Holmlund, the coach that took Umeå IK to their first Swedish and UEFA Cup titles, has accepted an offer to resign with his current club. The contract is for two more seasons.
The club has also managed to tie their young attacker Kim Ekebom, a Swedish U-19 player, to the club on a multi-year contract.
Nerikes Allehanda: Två år till i Kif Örebro för Richard Holmlund
Hammarby's head coach Anders Bengtsson has decided to resign from his post and will be replaced by his assistant, Daniel Kalles-Pettersson. The club's sport director Annelie Norén will take on the duties as assistant coach while keeping her job in the club office.
Expressen: Assistent blir huvudansvarig i Hammarby
The club has also managed to tie their young attacker Kim Ekebom, a Swedish U-19 player, to the club on a multi-year contract.
Nerikes Allehanda: Två år till i Kif Örebro för Richard Holmlund
Hammarby's head coach Anders Bengtsson has decided to resign from his post and will be replaced by his assistant, Daniel Kalles-Pettersson. The club's sport director Annelie Norén will take on the duties as assistant coach while keeping her job in the club office.
Expressen: Assistent blir huvudansvarig i Hammarby
Rönnlund renews with Umeå, Ljungberg and Östberg still undecided
Umeå IK's goalkeeper Ulla-Karin Rönnlund has decided to sign a new contract with her club. The mother of two said it was a hard decision to make, but Umeå's offer to make her a full-time professional bacame the tie-breaker. Umeå's manager Andrée Jeglertz said he's happy to have two good keepers, Rönnlund and Carola Söberg, who signed a couple of weeks ago. "No other team has two that good goalkeepers", he said and added that LDB FC Malmö's goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson, who lives and studies in Umeå, no longer is interesting for the club.
Västerbottenskuriren: Ulla-Karin blir heltidsproffs
There are five players who hasn't renewed their contract. Two of them are Hanna Ljungberg and Frida Östberg. the only remaining players from Umeå's great generation with Malin Moström, Hanna Marklund et al. They are both undecided if they want to continue to play at this level. Frida Östberg said that it is a big decision and she wants to make sure she makes the right one. Hanna Ljungberg, for once free from injuries, enjoys playing and training, but is still not sure about the future.
Västerbottenskuriren: Hanna och Frida osäkra på framtiden
Västerbottenskuriren: Ulla-Karin blir heltidsproffs
There are five players who hasn't renewed their contract. Two of them are Hanna Ljungberg and Frida Östberg. the only remaining players from Umeå's great generation with Malin Moström, Hanna Marklund et al. They are both undecided if they want to continue to play at this level. Frida Östberg said that it is a big decision and she wants to make sure she makes the right one. Hanna Ljungberg, for once free from injuries, enjoys playing and training, but is still not sure about the future.
Västerbottenskuriren: Hanna och Frida osäkra på framtiden
Los Angeles determined to sign Marta
"It is important to us and it is important to the league that she comes here" says AEG's Scott Hanley about Umeå IK's Marta to the local Umeå newspaper Västerbottenskuriren. AEG is the major owner behind the Los Angeles club in the new professional league WPS in USA. Hanley, who manages the negotiations with Marta's agent, says getting the Brazilian superstar's signature is their first priority. "We are getting closer to an agreement, but I can't speculate in when we're there" Hanley adds. He also doesn't want to comment on any of the different rumours about Marta's salary demands.
Västerbottenskuriren: Vill ha Marta som affischnamn
Västerbottenskuriren: Vill ha Marta som affischnamn
De Vanna flattered by Umeå interest
Umeå IK has declared that they see AIK's Lisa De Vanna as the one to replace Marta, if the Brazilian star decides to leave Umeå after five years with the club.
”It would be very flattering if they wanted to sign me” comments the Australian striker. De Vanna says that it is likely that she will stay in Sweden and she is very impressed by Umeå. ”It is one of the best clubs in the world and they show an impressing seriosity in everything they do”. De Vanna's has had a great season with her present club AIK, a club that at the moment are close to doing their best season ever. But that's not quite enough for De Vanna: ”You want golds and titles and I want that with my club team too.”
But AIK will of course try to keep her in Stockholm. ”I think we have the finances for it” says sport director Peter Johansson. And there is one thing that favoures the Stockholm club: ”It's been really cold today” De Vanna told the reporter in the mild autumn weather Stockholm, ”and I guess it's not any warmer in Umeå”.
Västerbottenskuriren: de Vanna vill till UIK
There is also a third party that has declared it's interest in De Vanna; the American club Washington Freedom has aquired the playing rights for De Vanna in the new WPS league. And there is an unsubstantiated rumour that LDB FC Malmö has Lisa De Vanna on their list over potential recruitment together with Marta and Kosovare Asllani, the two latter confirmed.
”It would be very flattering if they wanted to sign me” comments the Australian striker. De Vanna says that it is likely that she will stay in Sweden and she is very impressed by Umeå. ”It is one of the best clubs in the world and they show an impressing seriosity in everything they do”. De Vanna's has had a great season with her present club AIK, a club that at the moment are close to doing their best season ever. But that's not quite enough for De Vanna: ”You want golds and titles and I want that with my club team too.”
But AIK will of course try to keep her in Stockholm. ”I think we have the finances for it” says sport director Peter Johansson. And there is one thing that favoures the Stockholm club: ”It's been really cold today” De Vanna told the reporter in the mild autumn weather Stockholm, ”and I guess it's not any warmer in Umeå”.
Västerbottenskuriren: de Vanna vill till UIK
There is also a third party that has declared it's interest in De Vanna; the American club Washington Freedom has aquired the playing rights for De Vanna in the new WPS league. And there is an unsubstantiated rumour that LDB FC Malmö has Lisa De Vanna on their list over potential recruitment together with Marta and Kosovare Asllani, the two latter confirmed.
Linköping giving up on Cristiane
"She has been fairly clear about that she prefers to go to USA" said Linköping's sport director Anders Mäki about Linköping's chances to re-sign Brazilian forward Cristiane. He continues stating that the club hasn't closed any doors, but it seems unlikely that Cristiane would return to Linköping.
That, on the other hand, should increase their chances to keep this season's teen sensation Kosovare Asllani. Asllani, who made a brilliant national team debut last weekend, had to compete with Cristiane for a place as a starter and has said that she is looking for a club where something like that won't happen. Now it seems like Linköping, besides offering her a salary "more in tune with her market value", also might give her some assurance of being part of the starting eleven.
Corren: Ingen Cristiane i LFC: "Långt borta"
That, on the other hand, should increase their chances to keep this season's teen sensation Kosovare Asllani. Asllani, who made a brilliant national team debut last weekend, had to compete with Cristiane for a place as a starter and has said that she is looking for a club where something like that won't happen. Now it seems like Linköping, besides offering her a salary "more in tune with her market value", also might give her some assurance of being part of the starting eleven.
Corren: Ingen Cristiane i LFC: "Långt borta"
Stensland leaves Göteborg for USA?
Kopparbergs/Göteborg's stand-out midfielder Ingvild Stensland is considering joining the new American professional league WPS.
"It would have been great to play over there. They have a lot of good players and a league where everyone is a professional player", she told a Norwegian newspaper. Her contract with Göteborg finishes in November, but the club has told her that they want to renew it. "I haven't made up my mind", Stensland said, "I enjoy it a lot here, but result-wise the season has been disappointing".
A drawback with the American league is the short, April to August, season and Stensland also sees some problems with combining club play in America with her national team obligations.
Fædrelandsvennen: Snuser på proffdrøm i USA
Stensland didn't get picked in the international draft last week, but the WPS club St. Louis has been assigned the WPS playing rights for Stensland as a "post-draft discovery player". Yes, I don't understand how this works either.
St. Louis: Players
"It would have been great to play over there. They have a lot of good players and a league where everyone is a professional player", she told a Norwegian newspaper. Her contract with Göteborg finishes in November, but the club has told her that they want to renew it. "I haven't made up my mind", Stensland said, "I enjoy it a lot here, but result-wise the season has been disappointing".
A drawback with the American league is the short, April to August, season and Stensland also sees some problems with combining club play in America with her national team obligations.
Fædrelandsvennen: Snuser på proffdrøm i USA
Stensland didn't get picked in the international draft last week, but the WPS club St. Louis has been assigned the WPS playing rights for Stensland as a "post-draft discovery player". Yes, I don't understand how this works either.
St. Louis: Players
Kristianstad anxious to keep Dieke and McNeill
Kia McNeill och Ifeoma Dieke has played a big part in Kristianstad's, for a newcomer, successful Damallsvenskan season. The club's sport director Ulf Berglund says that it is one of his top priorities to tie them to the club for the next season too. McNeill and Dieke have been a very reliable defense couple and Berglund says that he knows that other clubs are looking at them. And the new American league might also be an alternative.
Berglund is still confident that the club will be able to find a solution that benefits both the club and the players. Kristianstad has just started a cooperation with a club on Cyprus, where the league plays the winter season and finishes in April. Berglund thinks that Dieke might enjoy playing a couple of winter months on the Mediterranean island and then return to Kristianstad.
Kristianstadsbladet: Tuff konkurrens om "Iffi" och Kia
Kristianstad's coach duo, Thomas Mårtensson and Ulf Palmquist, have both declared that they will not renew their contracts. They are by no means dissatisfied with the club, the team or their own performance, but thinks six years is enough. Manager Berglund says that they have done a great job for the club and doesn't seem ready to accept that they will be leaving: "We will sit down and talk this over".
Kristianstadsbladet: Succéduon lämnar KDFF
Berglund is still confident that the club will be able to find a solution that benefits both the club and the players. Kristianstad has just started a cooperation with a club on Cyprus, where the league plays the winter season and finishes in April. Berglund thinks that Dieke might enjoy playing a couple of winter months on the Mediterranean island and then return to Kristianstad.
Kristianstadsbladet: Tuff konkurrens om "Iffi" och Kia
Kristianstad's coach duo, Thomas Mårtensson and Ulf Palmquist, have both declared that they will not renew their contracts. They are by no means dissatisfied with the club, the team or their own performance, but thinks six years is enough. Manager Berglund says that they have done a great job for the club and doesn't seem ready to accept that they will be leaving: "We will sit down and talk this over".
Kristianstadsbladet: Succéduon lämnar KDFF
De Vanna to replace Marta in Umeå?
Umeå IK's management is looking less and less optimistic about the club's chances to keep Marta. "The Americans have the upper hand now", said sport director Britta Åkerlund yesterday. "The American league is extremely anxious to get Marta, the same way they brought over David Beckham. I think they are prepared to go very far to reach their goal", she concluded.
A rumour, retold by tabloid Expressen, says that the Los Angeles WPS club, that drafted Marta, is prepared to pay her between SEK 8 and 10 millions a year - far out of reach for any Swedish club. Marta's present salary from Umeå is about SEK 1 million a year. Personal contracts gives her almost another million. That is still far from the rumoured American offer and Marta has stated that if the difference between the offers are big, the money will decide "I want to be able to help provide for my family", she has explained.
Nonetheless, there are now three Swedish clubs giving offers to Marta. In addition to Umeå IK and LDB FC Malmö, Linköping FC has announced their interest. Linköping has done this the last few years and sport director Anders Mäki says that "it would be criminal not to try to get Marta".
Expressen: Amerikansk miljonjakt på Marta
Fotbollskanalen: Marta lämnar Umeå (video)
USA's national team coach Pia Sundhage says in an interview that she is confident that Marta will go to the WPS league. And, furthermore, that she should go: "She will be playing with gold medalists. The quality will be higher than in Damallsvenskan. The Swedish league is too uneven. In USA there will be world class players in every team."
SVT: Sundhage: "Marta flyttar till USA"
Losing Marta, as hurtful as it might be for Umeå, could be a blessing in disguise. The money used for Marta's salary can easily pay two world class players. Umeå's manager Andrée Jeglertz has revealed that the club has taken steps to begin talk's with AIK's prolific goalscorer Lisa De Vanna. De Vanna will however only be interesting if the club fails to keep Marta.
Västerbottenskuriren: De Vanna kan ersätta Marta
A rumour, retold by tabloid Expressen, says that the Los Angeles WPS club, that drafted Marta, is prepared to pay her between SEK 8 and 10 millions a year - far out of reach for any Swedish club. Marta's present salary from Umeå is about SEK 1 million a year. Personal contracts gives her almost another million. That is still far from the rumoured American offer and Marta has stated that if the difference between the offers are big, the money will decide "I want to be able to help provide for my family", she has explained.
Nonetheless, there are now three Swedish clubs giving offers to Marta. In addition to Umeå IK and LDB FC Malmö, Linköping FC has announced their interest. Linköping has done this the last few years and sport director Anders Mäki says that "it would be criminal not to try to get Marta".
Expressen: Amerikansk miljonjakt på Marta
Fotbollskanalen: Marta lämnar Umeå (video)
USA's national team coach Pia Sundhage says in an interview that she is confident that Marta will go to the WPS league. And, furthermore, that she should go: "She will be playing with gold medalists. The quality will be higher than in Damallsvenskan. The Swedish league is too uneven. In USA there will be world class players in every team."
SVT: Sundhage: "Marta flyttar till USA"
Losing Marta, as hurtful as it might be for Umeå, could be a blessing in disguise. The money used for Marta's salary can easily pay two world class players. Umeå's manager Andrée Jeglertz has revealed that the club has taken steps to begin talk's with AIK's prolific goalscorer Lisa De Vanna. De Vanna will however only be interesting if the club fails to keep Marta.
Västerbottenskuriren: De Vanna kan ersätta Marta
Lotta and Carre: Surprised but flattered
Lotta Schelin, preparing for the last Euro qualification matches with Sweden's national team, told reporters that she was completely surprised by her being drafted in the American WPS league.
"I have no idea about this at all. I don't even know what club it is", she told a reporter before starting to ask him about the American league: How many clubs are there? How many players were drafted? Which club drafted me?
"But of course it's fun", she added. "I've always felt it would be fun to play in USA, but this is nothing I've been thinking about." But she adds that as she just has moved to France, it's hard to decide for a new league.
Malmö's goalkeeper Caroline "Carre" Jönsson reacted the same way, surprised but pleased: "Of course it's fun that someone thinks you're good", she said, but added that she will decide after the Swedish season is completed. "I've got a lot of things to figure out then".
Göteborgsposten: Schelin draftad av Los Angeles
Svenska Dagbladet: Schelin: "Visste absolut ingenting"
"I have no idea about this at all. I don't even know what club it is", she told a reporter before starting to ask him about the American league: How many clubs are there? How many players were drafted? Which club drafted me?
"But of course it's fun", she added. "I've always felt it would be fun to play in USA, but this is nothing I've been thinking about." But she adds that as she just has moved to France, it's hard to decide for a new league.
Malmö's goalkeeper Caroline "Carre" Jönsson reacted the same way, surprised but pleased: "Of course it's fun that someone thinks you're good", she said, but added that she will decide after the Swedish season is completed. "I've got a lot of things to figure out then".
Göteborgsposten: Schelin draftad av Los Angeles
Svenska Dagbladet: Schelin: "Visste absolut ingenting"
Marta: Umeå, Los Angeles or ... Malmö?
"There is a chance I'll stay. Everyone knows I enjoy it really much here", said Marta today to the local newspaper Västerbottens Folkblad. "But I want to know about the offers from both sides before I decide". She says her agent handles all the negotiations and she doesn't know that much about the new American league or the club that drafted her: "The only thing I know about Los Angeles is that it is a bigger city than Umeå."
About at the same time today, LDB FC Malmö's board member and main financer, Kent Widding Persson, revealed that his club has entered the competition for Marta's signature. They have announced their intentions to both Umeå IK and to Marta's agent Fabiano Farah. "We think it is important to elevate the level of Damallsvenskan and then it's important to keep Marta in Sweden. As it seems like she might not stay in Umeå, it would be wrong if we didn't give her a serious offer", he said. He confirmed that the offer is at the same level as the wage Lotta Schelin recieves from her French club Lyon, i.e. somewhere around SEK 1,5 millions a year.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Marta: “Det finns chanser att jag stannar kvar”
Sydsvenskan: Marta har fått bud av LDB FC Malmö
About at the same time today, LDB FC Malmö's board member and main financer, Kent Widding Persson, revealed that his club has entered the competition for Marta's signature. They have announced their intentions to both Umeå IK and to Marta's agent Fabiano Farah. "We think it is important to elevate the level of Damallsvenskan and then it's important to keep Marta in Sweden. As it seems like she might not stay in Umeå, it would be wrong if we didn't give her a serious offer", he said. He confirmed that the offer is at the same level as the wage Lotta Schelin recieves from her French club Lyon, i.e. somewhere around SEK 1,5 millions a year.
Västerbottens Folkblad: Marta: “Det finns chanser att jag stannar kvar”
Sydsvenskan: Marta har fått bud av LDB FC Malmö