The Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland) have long been a viable destination for Aussie footballers, and 2021 looks to be no different with over a dozen players choosing the Nordic countries as their playground.
There has been a break over the last few weeks due to the Olympics, but three of the four leagues involving Aussies have now resumed. Read on for how our Aussies fared in the Nordic leagues this past week.
Round 10 of the Toppserien was played over the weekend after a three-week break, but neither of the Aussies playing in the Toppserien were involved.
Karly Roestbakken‘s LSK Kvinner resumed their season with a 3-4 away win against Arna-Bjørnar. A reasonably comfortable 1-3 halftime lead turned into a nervous final 20 minutes of the game after the home team fought back in the second half, with Football Fern Emma Rolston (who had just recently announced her signing at Arna-Bjørnar) tucking away AB’s third goal. The win leaves LSK in fourth place and looking forward to the return of Roestbakken, who continues to make strides in regaining strength and fitness.
LSK also travelled to Gjemselund midweek for their Round 2 NM Cup fixture against tier 2 team Kongsvinger. It was a comfortable win for the Lillestrøm team; they were up 0-7 at half time and wound up 0-9 winners.
In the last Nordic wrap, Klepp had not yet played their Round 9 game. Their worrisome run of losses is mounting, with eight now on the trot. Their Round 9 game against Kolbotn resulted in a 3-0 away loss, and the break didn’t appear to reinvigorate them as they fell 0-4 at home to Avaldsnes in Round 10. Nikola Orgill was not on the card for either of these games as she continues to recover from a strain.
Klepp published a “Get to know Nikola better” article during the break (Google translate recommended). Listed among the information is that Orgill is half Dutch, and not only is a trained lawyer but is working on completing a Master’s degree in security and strategic studies!
There was midweek second round NM Cup action for Klepp as well this week as they visited second-tier Viking FK, coming away with a welcome 0-3 win.
Round 11 of the Toppserien sees Roestbakken’s and Orgill’s teams up against each other in the LSK Hall this coming weekend.
Round 10 results
Round 11 games
Ladder
There is currently a break in the Swedish Damallsvenskan competition until 21 August, but since the last Nordic wrap there has been some signing news. First, having completed a stint with Sandviken in the Norwegian Toppserien before her fabulous Olympics campaign, Teagan Micah recently announced that she had signed with ladder leaders FC Rosengård, joining Charli Grant in their squad.
Excited to join this top club and looking forward to playing in Sweden for some years to come. 👊🏻 https://t.co/iARPN4RtDY
— Teagan Micah (@TeaganMicah) July 26, 2021
Micah is not a guaranteed walk-up start with Rosengård; the incumbent is Canadian national team keeper (and Olympic gold medalist) Stephanie Labbé.
Winonah Heatley also announced recently that she had signed with Växjö, who currently sit at the foot of the ladder. Heatley has played most recently with Northern Tigers in the NSW NPLW, and also has two W-League seasons with Brisbane Roar under her belt.
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Here’s a summary of Aussies in the 2021 Damallsvenskan, in order of current ladder position:
Rosengård (1): Charli Grant, Teagan Micah
BK Häcken (2): Dylan Holmes
Hammarby IF (3):Elise Kellond-Knight
Vittsjö GIK (7): Emily Gielnik, Clare Polkinghorne
Växjö (12): Winonah Heatley
Round 13 games
Ladder
UMF Selfoss captain Emma Checker is no longer the sole Aussie playing in Iceland women’s football competitions, following the news that Aideen Keane has signed with KR Reykjavik for the balance of the 2021 season.
Keane was plying her trade with Northern Tigers in the NSW NPLW before the 2021 season was cancelled, and prior to that played in Season 13 of the W-League with Western Sydney Wanderers. Clearly, it’s been a big week for Northern Tigers players joining Nordic competitions!
Congratulations to Aideen Keane for signing to Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur for the rest of the Úrvalsdeild kvenna. Young Matilda and Perth Glory’s new signing for the 2022 season played her first game today for Iceland’s oldest and most successful club who sit equal first. pic.twitter.com/7pKIJ3NfCG
— FNX Network Sports (@FNXsports) August 5, 2021
KR has a history of Aussies in their ranks, with players such as Angie Beard and Grace Maher having spent time there. Unless it’s in a Cup game or friendly, Keane will not be lacing up the boots to play against Checker, as KR were relegated to the second tier competition – the 1st Division, or 1.deild – prior to the commencement of the current season.
KR is currently the equal ladder leader in the 1st Division, but lost 0-2 at home last weekend to fellow ladder leaders FH Hafnarfjörður.
Meanwhile in the top tier Úrvalsdeild Kvenna, Checker’s Selfoss had recorded two narrow 1-2 home losses (against second-placed Breiðablik then third-placed Stjarnan) in the week immediately preceding the Olympics. Last weekend in their return to football they followed up with a 2-2 home draw against Thróttur Reykjavík, with Checker playing the full match. The result sees both teams on equal points in fourth and fifth position, with five rounds left in the season.
Urvalsdeild Round 13 results and Round 14 games
Urvalsdeild Ladder
Urvalsdeild Ladder 
1.deild Round 13 Results
1.deild Ladder
After a two-month summer break, the 2021 Danish Elitedivisionen kicked off last weekend.
Four Aussies are currently ensconced in the Fortuna Hjørring squad but only two – Indiah-Paige Riley and Angie Beard – were in action for their 2-5 Round 1 away win against AGF.
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Midfielder Emma Snerle – who was on the bench for Denmark in their recent friendly against the Matildas – remarkably bagged a hat-trick for Fortuna within the first 14 minutes of the new season.
Alex Huynh and Sydney FC’s W-League Player of The Year Clare Wheeler were not on the match card for the first game. The result sees Fortuna move into second place on the ladder.
Round 1 results
Round 2 games
Ladder
Follow all our coverage of Aussies and Ferns Abroad here, and Aussies in Nordic football here.
