Four Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland) are hosting Aussie players this year. Read on to see how they fared during the past week!
With all Toppserien-related action over for the year, the final act of domestic Norwegian premier women’s football in 2022 played out last weekend. Tameka Yallop‘s Brann Kvinner claimed both major trophies on offer after a 3-1 win over Stabæk in the final of the NM (Norges Mester) Cup. Yallop continues to recuperate from ankle surgery and was not involved.
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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 season has also ended with the completion of the final round (Round 26).
FC Rosengård formally celebrated what everyone has known for a number of weeks – successive championships – after a 3-0 away victory over IF Brommapojkarna. Teagan Micah was not on the teamsheet but didn’t hesitate to join the celebrations.
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A 3-1 away win by Aivi Luik‘s BK Häcken against Djurgarden ensured that Häcken took out silver medals for the 2022 competition. Luik competed for the full 90 minutes.
BK Häcken tvåa i OBOS Damallsvenskan 2022 👏#bkhäcken pic.twitter.com/73598XWEU5
— BK Häcken (@bkhackenofcl) November 5, 2022
There were Aussies galore in the matchup between Vittsjö GIK and Hammarby, a match that feels like a celebration of everything the Nordic Wrap is about. The result went 2-1 Hammarby’s way, a fine result given their visitor status and the teams’ close proximity to each other on the ladder. Katrina Gorry provided an assist for the Vittsjö goal and all three Aussies in the team (including Clare Polkinghorne and Charli Grant) played the full 90 minutes.
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Kyra Cooney-Cross and Courtney Nevin started the match for Hammarby, both playing close to an hour, while Elise Kellond-Knight entered the game at the same point in time. The match was KK’s last for the club.
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Remy Siemsen‘s AIK was defeated 2-1 at home against Kalmar and occupies one of the two automatic relegation ladder positions (the other is held by Emma Checker-less Umeå IK, who lost 4-1 away to Kristianstad). Both teams will take part in the Elitettan tier-2 competition next year. Siemsen played 81 minutes in her final game this year for AIK.
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Results
Ladder
In the Elitedivisionen, Matilda McNamara’s AGF Aarhus were minutes away from earning a valuable away point against second placed Brøndby. However, Julie Tavlo-Petersson’s 88th minute strike gave Brøndby a 2-1 victory. McNamara was on the field from start to finish – she is now in Melbourne for Australian national team duties.
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A stirring second half comeback at Right to Dream Park saw FC Nordsjælland split the points with Fortuna Hjørring. Winonah Heatley returned to the Nordsjælland starting lineup and played a full game. Meanwhile, Fortuna’s Indiah-Paige Riley played the second half, and her teammate Angie Beard was subbed on after 57 minutes.
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After the first half of the Danish season is completed, the top six sides contest the Championship playoffs, while the bottom two sides have to fight for a 2023-24 Elitedivisionen place with the top four teams from the second tier. The remaining three rounds of the first phase will be played after the November international break.
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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.
