Newly promoted Piteå come back to tie Linköping in Damallsvenskan opener
After falling behind in the 26th minute on a goal by Linköping forward and Finland international Linda Sällström Wednesday night, Piteå managed to stage a late comeback to pull level courtesy of an own goal by Linköping’s Nora Holstad Berge of Norway. The tie against the 2009 Damallsvenskan champions earned Piteå its first point in the top-flight league in two years. (more…)
Damallsvenskan champions LdB Malmö settle for draw with KIF Örebro
Defending Swedish champions LdB Malmö opened up its 2011 Damallsvenskan season Sunday with a 1-1 draw against KIF Örebro at Behrn Arena in Örebro. After falling behind, 1-0, in the 24th minute on a goal by Örebro forward Sara Michael, Malmö needed a second-half strike to pull level and avoid defeat. Midfielder Nilla Fisher’s goal in the 61st minute tied the game for Malmö, salvaging the draw. The last time these teams met was in last year’s Super Cup, which Malmö won, 2-1, to claim the title of the champions of Sweden. (more…)
Opening weekend for leagues around the globe
This weekend marks the start of several top-flight leagues from Women’s Professional (WPS) to the national women’s football league in Vietnam. Sweden’s Damallsvenskan and Finland’s Naisten Liiga are also amongst the group of leagues that begin play this weekend. (more…)
Stephanie Labbe: My life in Piteå!
Piteå "downtown"
Since returning last week from Holland, where I had met up with my Swedish club, Piteå, I have finally had the chance to settle back into my little niche here. It is so great to be with my team and bonding and hanging out with them. It is hard being away for so long, as you gain a lot with one team, but then miss out on some with another. Sometimes I feel like I am living a double life! Either way, its been great to be back, and play some friendly games in our gear up for the start of the season!
This past weekend, we played two games, the first against a Norwegian club, Trondheim, in which we won 3-1. We played well and created many chances offensively. The second game was against Umeå IK. It was a hard-fought game both ways, ending in a 3-3 tie. PKs were done to ultimately give Umeå the win on the sixth shooter. It was a tough loss, but some really positive things coming out of the game for us! (more…)
Former Quickstrike Lady Blues defender Kelly Eagan joins Hammarby IF
Former University of Villanova defender Kelly Eagan has joined Hammarby IF in Swedish Damallsvenskan. Eagan previously played for the Quickstrike Lady Blues of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, and she’s a former member of the U.S. U-20 and U-17 Women’s National Teams. At Villanova, Eagan started all 84 games she played in during her four-year career, anchoring a back line that posted 43 shutouts in four seasons.
“Kelly is a promising young defender. She is tough, has a strong character, and can use both feet,” said Joakim Kellner, Sports Manager of HammarbyIF. “In time she will be a key player in Hammarby.”
Fiona O’Sullivan, Jennifer Nobis, Stephanie Labbe lead Pitea
Fiona O’Sullivan (center) celebrates one of her four goals with teammate Jennifer Nobis (photo by Camilla Berglund)
Pitea IF got four goals from Fiona O’Sullivan, three goals and two assists from Jennifer Nobis, and a shutout by Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbe in Friday’s 9-0 win over Lulea DFC, and Nobis added one more in Pitea’s 3-1 win Saturday over Sunnanå. If Pitea, promoted this year to Damallsvenskan, beats Umeå IK Sunday, the team will win the Allstar Midwinter Cup. (more…)
LdB FC Malmö wins Jitex Cup
Swedish club Jitex BK of Damallsvenskan organized a four-team tournament that took place over the weekend at Valhalla Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the Swedish club made it to the finals before losing, 3-0, to reigning Damallsvenskan champions LdB FC Malmö. (more…)
Some Words From Up North, Eh!
Since arriving home from China, getting back on my proper sleep pattern has been a challenge to say the least. From late afternoon naps, to 3 a.m. Skype sessions with teammates, to 5 a.m. mornings wide awake, I have now managed to get myself back on a decent sleep schedule. It took a while, but by forcing myself out of the house during the day it has come around … almost all the way. Just in time for me to fly off to Sweden and go through it all over again! (more…)
Alex Singer heading to Dalsjöfors after Australian W-League season
Alex Singer, a defender for Perth Glory of the Westfield W-League in Australia, is off to Sweden after the W-League season. She will play for Dalsjöfors of Damallsvenskan. Singer previously played in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) for the Washington Freedom where she made 20 appearances (13 starts) in two seasons. (more…)
Maria Karlsson becomes first Swedish international to sign in FA Women’s Super League
Maria Karlsson, who played nine years in Damallsvenskan, is now headed to England to play for Doncaster Rovers Belles in the new FA Women’s Super League, which begins this spring. The 25-year old central midfielder/defender, who had 154 caps and scored 17 goals during her time in Damallsvenskan, becomes the first Swedish international to sign for a team in England’s new semi-professional league. (more…)
Linköpings FC continues to load up roster
Linköpings FC added more depth to its growing roster this week. The Damallsvenskan club signed left back Elin Borg, who played for Sweden’s U-20 team in this past summer’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Borg played for Stattena IF last season. Linköpings also have a new coach this year, former Chicago Red Stars assistant coach Denise Reddy. (more…)
LdB FC Malmö in contact with Marta
According to LdB FC Malmö club director Niclas Carlnén, his club has had contact with the agent representing Brazilian forward, current Women’s Professional Soccer free agent, and five time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta. LdB FC Malmö won the Damallsvenskan championship in 2010, and Marta was in Sweden in November to watch the club play. (more…)
Jitex Cup 2011 four-team tournament set for February in Sweden
Swedish club Jitex BK of Damallsvenskan have organized a four-team tournament that will be played Feb. 5 and 6 at Valhalla Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. Jitex Cup 2011 also features 2010 Damallsvenskan champions LdB FC Malmö, Fortuna Hjørring (2009-10 champions of Elitedivisionen in Denmark), and Norwegian side Kolbotn, which finished third in the 2010 Toppserien table. (more…)
KIF Örebro Coach Nisse Jansson talks about Sara Larsson and Maria Bjorg Agustdottir signings
Sara Larsson and Mary Björg Agustdottir signed recently with KIF Örebro of Damallsvenskan in Sweden. KIF Örebro Coach Nisse Jansson talks about the team’s newest players. (more…)
