Four Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland) are hosting Aussie players this year. Read on to see how they fared during the past week!
Playing away from home against the Elitedivisionen leaders was always going to be tough. Although Matilda McNamara played her usual full game for AGF Aarhus, they were unable to take any points from their trip to Capelli Sport Stadion, going down 2-0 to HB Køge.
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Winonah Heatley also played a full game on the weekend and her team had better fortunes. Karen Knudsen’s first half strike was enough to give FC Nordsjælland a valuable 1-0 win over KoldingQ, meaning the Tigers are now out of the bottom two with only one game remaining in the Danish campaign’s first phase.
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Fortuna Hjørring were left empty handed after a tough away game against second placed Brøndby. Ashley Riefner put Fortuna ahead on eight minutes, but they couldn’t hold on in the face of a second half surge from the hosts, losing 2-1. Angie Beard started and was replaced in the 81st minute, while Indiah-Paige Riley played the first half.
The upcoming round of fixtures will be the last before the winter break. If you don’t know why the Danish league pauses at this time of year, take a look at the below posts from Beard and Riley – it looks pretty cold over there!
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A look at the league table reveals just how important Nordsjælland’s win was. After this weekend’s games, the bottom two teams will be sent to the relegation playoffs, while the top six will compete in the Championship Round.
AGF host Nordsjælland on Saturday knowing that a win will secure AGF’s place in the top flight for 2023-24. Any other result will instead mean that Nordsjælland are safe from relegation.
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All Toppserien-related action is complete for season 2022.
Tameka Yallop‘s Brann Kvinner claimed both major trophies on offer this year. As a mid-season signing from West Ham, Yallop played five matches for Brann, scoring one goal before an ankle injury required surgery.
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After claiming the league title last month, SK Brann done the double at the weekend by also becoming Norwegian Cup champions! ⚪️
Congratulations, @skbrannkvinner pic.twitter.com/l082sJ7GTZ
— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) November 7, 2022
This tweet from Brann sums up Yallop’s contribution and fighting spirit for her club:
For en kamp Tameka Yallop har levert pic.twitter.com/EoAHz0jr72
— SK Brann Kvinner (@skbrannkvinner) August 21, 2022
By finishing third in the relegation playoffs, LSK Kvinner ensured their Toppserien participation for 2023. It was a frustrating season for both Aussie Karly Roestbakken and honorary Aussie, English Julie Dolan medallist Fiona Worts. There were 6 and 14 appearances respectively for them, almost entirely off the bench, after a persistent foot injury (Roestbakken) and after-effects of Covid (Worts) curtailed their seasons. Worts commendably scored seven goals in her time on the park.
While Ally Green did not have any physical ailments holding her back, she too found match time elusive, making five appearances off the bench for silver medallists Vålerenga.
The Damallsvenskan has also ended after the completion of a 26-round season.
FC Rosengård celebrated successive championships and Teagan Micah played a pivotal role, making 21 appearances between the sticks.
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Aivi Luik‘s BK Häcken took out silver medals, with Luik contributing nine games and one goal over the campaign. Luik was a mid-season signing from Pomigliano in Italian Serie A.
BK Häcken tvåa i OBOS Damallsvenskan 2022 👏#bkhäcken pic.twitter.com/73598XWEU5
— BK Häcken (@bkhackenofcl) November 5, 2022
Hammarby claimed fifth position, with their trio of Aussies all finally appearing together towards the end of the season after the joyous re-emergence of Elise Kellond-Knight from long-term injury. All three have recently figured in Matildas squads and it is fair to say that both Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin have benefited immensely from their time at the club.
Hammarby crew 💚🤍
📸: @ByTheWhiteLine #WeAreMatildas #AUSvSWE @Hammarbyfotboll pic.twitter.com/QS3DoWZ1dN
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 12, 2022
Just one slot behind Hammarby was Vittsjö GIK, another team with a trio of Aussies following Charli Grant‘s loan from Rosengård after the summer break. Consistent starts at fullback were pivotal to Grant’s development this season, as was seen during her recent performances with the Matildas. Katrina Gorry and Clare Polkinghorne are mainstays of this Vittsjö team, with Polkinghorne already having agreed to a third season.
Emma Checker‘s Umeå IK was relegated after just three wins and three draws over the campaign. A mid-season loan from the summer break onwards, Checker was to play six games for Umeå before heading back to Australia near the end of the season.
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Remy Siemsen‘s AIK was also relegated after finishing 2022 with just two wins and two draws. Siemsen played in almost every game, making 23 appearances and scoring three goals.
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Ladder
The 2022 Úrvalsdeild competition is over, with mixed fortunes for the four Aussies taking part.
Melina Ayres and her Breiðablik fared best, finishing third overall. Ayres made nine appearances for her team, scoring twice.
Melina Ayres til Breiðabliks https://t.co/RXvuKI1JIQ
— Blikar.is / Íslandsmeistarar 2022 (@blikar_is) April 12, 2022
Gema Simon and Thróttur Reykjavík weren’t far behind, finishing fourth. Simon took the field 15 times for Thróttur.
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KR Reykjavik failed to make the most of their re-entry to the top-tier competition this year, finishing last. They are once again destined for the first division. Susan Phonsongkham however won’t be displeased by her experience, making 14 appearances and scoring 5 goals. For her part, Margaux Chauvet made 13 appearances.
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Ladder
Follow all our coverage of Aussies and Ferns Abroad here, and Aussies in Nordic football here.
