Four Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland) are hosting Aussie players this year. Read on to see how they fared during the past week!
The Toppserien playoffs are coming to a close. The third to last round was played in the last week, along with a couple of catchup games involving Aussies.
LSK Kvinner is now without Karly Roestbakken but Julie Dolan medallist Fiona Worts came on late in their crucial 2-0 away win over Avaldsnes, which lifts LSK out of the relegation zone.
Gårsdagens scoringer🔥
Lyden når mål nummer to går inn🤤 pic.twitter.com/u7phoWQgl9
— LSK Kvinner (@LSKKvinner) October 17, 2022
Ally Green‘s Vålerenga defeated Rosenborg 1-0 away to stay second in the Champions playoff group. While she was listed on the team sheet, Green’s services were not called upon from the bench. Topping the group seems unachievable but if they can hold onto second place, Vålerenga will take part in the 2023-24 Champions League playoffs.
Tameka Yallop‘s injured ankle continues to keep her out of action (but see the update below), as Champions Playoff group leader Brann Kvinner defeated Stabaek 3-0. With a five-point lead, Yallop and team are cantering into direct Champions League qualification.
Five out of six teams featuring Aussies took the points in Round 23 of the Damallsvenskan, the fourth last round of the season.
Katrina Gorry scored and registered an assist for Vittsjö GIK during their 3-1 away win over IF Brommapojkarna. Gorry made the most of her 74 minutes on the park, with Clare Polkinghorne absent but Charli Grant playing the full match.
Teagan Micah also played a full match for FC Rosengård as the competition front-runners narrowly defeated eighth-placed Eskilstuna United 1-0 at home. She then backed up for a midweek 90 minutes between the sticks, however her team lost 2-1 away to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League group stage game. The group also contains Barcelona and Benfica – only the top two in the group will progress to the knockout rounds.
In contrast to BK Häcken‘s big last-round win against third-placed Linköping, they struggled to a 2-1 away win against eleventh-placed Kalmar. Aivi Luik came on in the 72nd minute of the win. Take a look at the classy finish by Anna Anvegard for their second goal!
Emma Checker‘s Umeå IK recorded a much-needed 2-1 home win against Djurgarden, with Checker watching from the bench. If Umeå stay in 12th, they will play in a promotion/relegation playoff against the third-placed team from the second division, so there is plenty of incentive to move up the ladder and secure their top tier spot for next season.
Såjaaaa!! 💥
3 pinnar efter enorm höjning från laget i andra halvlek 🙌Stort tack till en fantastik publik som lyfte oss under hela matchen 🖤💛 #ståuppförumeåik
UIKs mål:
⚽ O. Holm 47′
⚽ K. Kosola 57′@PdxInteractive @pumafootball @Umeaenergi @Viaplay_SE @_OBOSDamallsv pic.twitter.com/MVp9EF4SVW— Umeå IK FF (@UmeaIKFF) October 16, 2022
Hammarby overcame AIK 1-0 away, with four Aussies involved. Remy Siemsen started and played the first hour for the home side, while Kyra Cooney-Cross lined up with Elise Kellond-Knight in the Hammarby midfield as both played the full 90 minutes. Courtney Nevin was a late substitute for the visitors.
Results
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.
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.
Ladder
The Elitedivisionen fixture at Vejlby Stadion was an Aussie reunion!
Fortuna Hjørring were triumphant, defeating AGF Aarhus 1-0 after Ashley Riefner struck in the 17th minute. Angie Beard and Indiah-Paige Riley played full games for Fortuna, while AGF’s Matilda McNamara earned another 90 minutes of playing time.
Winonah Heatley returned to the FC Nordsjælland starting lineup, playing the full 90 minutes and helping her side upset high flying Brøndby. Nordsjælland won 2-1 despite conceding first, with 17 year old Emilia Ásgeirsdóttir scoring the winner on 76 minutes – see below for video of the goal.
The weekend’s results see Fortuna stay in fourth and Nordsjælland move up to sixth, but unfortunately AGF are now at the foot of the table.
Follow all our coverage of Aussies and Ferns Abroad here, and Aussies in Nordic football here.
