On Thursday, October 11th, Kopparbergs/Göteberg FC defeated Tyresö FF by a score of 2:1 to win its second Swedish Cup (Svenska Cupen Damer) title in a row (SvFF write-up plus box score, SvFF LiveScore). For Göteberg, American Christen Press scored the opening goal of the match and earned the decisive penalty in extra time. Three other Americans started the match for Göteberg: midfielders Yael Averbuch and Ingrid Wells plus outside back Camille Levin. For Tyresö, another American, Meghan Klingenberg, also started. Brazil’s Marta had the equalizer in regulation for Tyresö. Last year, Göteberg also defeated Tyresö to win the Swedish Cup, albeit on penalties (SvFF).
Press’ goal was scored in the 9th minute, a goal kick by ‘keeper Kristin Hammarström was headed at the midfield stripe by a Tyresö player. Press got a touch on the loose ball to settle it and then made a quick turn. She sprint-dribbled down the right flank and at the top of the box, tried to go past a Tyresö defender, but the defender got a touch onto ball. However, Press was leaning forward and succesfully trapped the ball ahead of her. Press stayed on and then sent a right-footed shot toward the far post. On the YouTube video, it appears that the shot was headed wide left, but the shot deflected just enough off the foot of a second defender and snuck into the far corner.
This was a physical match with each team being handed three yellow cards by referee Linn Andersson. The most blatant was when England international Anita Asante cut in to stop a fast break by Marta, but slammed into the Brazilian international, in a play that looked more like a Hollywood car accident than a slide tackle. And, afterwards, Marta had a slight case of road rage.
Tyresö had better spells of possession for most of the match and had more shots, 18, versus Göteberg’s 13, but had one less shot on goal, with Göteberg having 7 (54%), while Tyresö had just 6 (33%).
In extra time, Press earned the decisive penalty kick after being taken down in the box by Brazilian international Elaine. Veteran defender Marlene Sjöberg took the kick and confidently sent the ball into the left side of the goal, out of the reach of Tyresö’s goalkeeper, Carola Söberg.
Match Highlights:
Not geo-blocked: TV4Play.se (4:37); SVTPlay.se (2:36).
KGFC Studio Recap (with interviews):
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Odds & Ends:
After Monday, the Damallsvenskan season will just have two match weeks left. LdB FC Malmö is currently at the top of the 12-team table, with 51 points through 19 matches. In second place is Tyresö FF, with 49 points through 20 matches. Both teams have already secured spots in the 2013/2014 edition of UEFA’s Women’s Champion League, as they are well clear of the third-placed team, Linköpings FC, which only has 33 points through 20 matches. For the full league table, see the SvFF website.
Christen Press currently has the second-highest goal tally of any player in the league, with 17 goals, behind only LdB FC Malmö’s Anja Mittag, who has 20. Malmö still has an extra match to play (on Monday, October 15th), so the German international could extend her goal-scoring lead.
Women's Soccer Express 