Four Different Champions, One Country!

Champions! Liverpool Ladies Retain the Cup!

What a great season it was over there in England, I decided to delay any blogging until the entire season was done and it turned out to be a great finish! Arsenal Ladies won the FA Cup against Everton Ladies who got relegated from the domestic FAWSL1, in which they had no wins in there. Liverpool got the last laugh in the FAWSL1 season after a terrific three horse race towards the finale. Man.City Ladies won the Continental Cup after a 1-0 victory over Arsenal and finally, Sunderland Ladies confirmed winning the FAWSL2 and qualification into the FAWSL1 on the last day after being pushed all the way by Doncaster Rovers Belles (aka Donny Belles).
That's a lot to take in in one paragraph, isn't it? Anyway that's why I would try to break down each memorable moment of the season into different paragraphs in this overdue blog, yes, you are welcome.

The FA Cup
The stage was set for the biggest domestic cup in England and surprisingly the final consisted of the two struggling teams in the domestic league. Everton defeated Notts. County (formerly Lincoln Ladies) in their semifinal while Arsenal defeated rivals, Chelsea in theirs, which was an absolute thrill. After 18 months in charge, Arsenal Ladies manager, Shelley Kerr, suggested it was time to step down, and was hoping she could end her managerial run on a high, apparently, she succeeded.
Kelly Smith scored a brilliant freekick early in the game and new comer, Yukari Kinga, a world cup winner with Japan, put the game to bed in the second half at the 61st minute.
Arsenal won their 13th FA Cup title and their 41st major trophy, posing as -still- the most successful women's club side in England.

Want to relive the final? Highlights here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBLtw3XhD1Q


'There's Always A Next Season Eni':
City striker, Toni Duggan tries to
cheer up Chelsea's Eniola Aluko

The FAWSL1
You could tell this was going to be an exciting season of English football from the onset, maybe it was because of the BT Sport coverage, maybe it was something else, whatever it was it was worth it in the end, no one could have predicted a finish like that.
Long story short, the title could have gone to three different sides on the last day, Chelsea just needed a win to put any doubts of claiming the league, Birmingham needed a win and a Chelsea slip up while Liverpool needed a decent win and both Birmingham and Chelsea to slip, which looked a long shot but...well, like we say "that's football."
In the space of 90 minutes in the Chelsea/Man.City game, Man.City were without their first choice goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley and club captain, Stephanie Houghton. The game looked like one Chelsea should have had no problems with due to their starting eleven, but then, early in the game, Chelsea's first choice goalkeeper, Marie Hourihan, suffered a shoulder injury and Chelsea's second choice, wasn't around so up stepped, Rebecca Bull the third choice, and within a matter of moments, Man.City were in front.
Jill Scott's tame effort from over 20 yards somehow got past the debutant in goal and Chelsea could sense this wasn't the day.
Meanwhile, Birmingham were 2-0 down to Notts. County and had a mountain to climb if they were to relish any hopes of winning the title, while Liverpool were still being held 0-0 by Bristol Academy at Merseyside.

Later on before half time, Chelsea conceded another goal and this time it was an absolute beauty from Toni Duggan, the English striker struck an insane volley into the top corner of the Chelsea net and the title looked like it was out of their hands now, all they could do was depend on results else where or get back into the game.
At the Notts. County/Birmingham game, Karen Carney had pulled one back for the blues and had a chance to level the fixture from the penalty spot, but the striker who had been previously prolific from 16 yards couldn't get the ball past the Notts. County kepper, Carly Telford, who made a sequence of two brilliant saves to keep the score line at County 2, Birmingham 1.
With everything falling in perfect place for Liverpool, the game changer finally occurred, last season's top scorer, Natasha Dowie, scored against Bristol Academy and the Reds were suddenly in first place on goal difference!

Chelsea pulled one back late in the game with less than 20 minutes through defender, Gilly Flaherty, and a Man.City player got sent off, so the comeback was absolutely on! Meanwhile Birmingham finally got their equalizer, Carney the source once again and then any goal from either Chelsea or Birmingham could have displaced Liverpool in first, who looked to be absolutely running away with it scoring 3 past Bristol.

So that's how it finished, there was no late drama unlike the week before the finale, Chelsea players and fans looked absolutely gutted, while Liverpool Ladies were overjoyed in triumph, Birmingham, also distraught.
One of the greatest endings I've ever witnessed and for sure one of the best ever endings in any women's league.
The top scorer in the league was Birmingham's Karen Carney, she managed 8 goals, Notts. County's Jessica Clarke in second with 6 and a host of players tied on 5.

To have a taste of the quality in the FAWSL 1 here are the goals of the season here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJkOdKY4qQ&index=4&list=PLH4hJ2GPUXQVEQgwvHm_1k5Tr5N0e6IpF

The FA Continental Cup
After playing a huge part in the FAWSL decider, Man.City Ladies pulled off another impressive victory, this time against Arsenal Ladies, who now had a new manager -Pedro Losa-. Though Arsenal had most of the game under control but Man.City's Isobel 'Izzy' Christiansen put the team ahead in the second half and that was how the scoreline ended, 1-0 Man.City.
City with their first title win as they just got formed and they ended Arsenal's dominance in the Continental Cup, the Gunners had won every Conti Cup since it's existence in 2011.

Highlights of the historic night here! -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AOaHesn_g0&list=PLH4hJ2GPUXQVEQgwvHm_1k5Tr5N0e6IpF&index=5

'Up Up and Away!'
Sunderland Ladies, Champions and Promoted to the FAWSL1

The FAWSL2
This league just started as the next division before the FAWSL 1, it was a good tough season all round with 10 teams in it. Sunderland Ladies won the league and gained qualification into the top flight but it was no easy task though as Donny Belles, who eventually ended up second, really gave them a run for the prize until the last day.
Reading Ladies striker, Fran Kirby finished as the top scorer in the league with 24 goals and made a huge impression for the league as a whole as she gained call ups into the English squad due to her amazing performances. Winners, Sunderland, had England U-20, Beth Mead, who was second on the goal scoring tally with 13 and Reading's Lauren Bruton, Yeovil's Sarah Wiltshire and England legend, Sue Smith of the Donny Belles all tied on 11 goals.

Watch Sunderland's match and league title win here! -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z50sLTROBIs&index=2&list=PLH4hJ2GPUXQVEQgwvHm_1k5Tr5N0e6IpF

Summary
It was a great season in England as a whole and probably it's due to BT Sport's coverage of lots of the games and even a review show to round up the week, absolutely spectacular and no doubt every player, staff and official involved would want to build up on this for the next season, question is, how could you possible build up on this?

The FA WSL Climax

Gemma Davison vying with the ball with Arsenal's Yukari Kinga

Hi guys, as European teams clash across the continent for the greatest prize in European Women's club Football, I decided to review the English FA WSL(Women's Super League), again. Yes, you may have noticed, I have mentioned it a couple of times in my previous blogs, but only because it's really as competitive as America's NWSL with a host of great talents and is tending towards a spectacular finale, and the fact that I'm a Chelsea supporter may have a part to play in that too.
Anyway, enough about my fanaticism, here's my review on the important title deciding games during the weekend in the league;

So Far in England...
The English top division doesn't have a confirmed champion yet even with just one more game to go, which is just incredible! The drama in the FA WSL over the past 3 weeks has just been amazing. 
As at 3 weeks ago, the league title was a three horse race among Chelsea, Birmingham City and last season's champions Liverpool Ladies, now the defending champions look out of it, as it looks most likely for Chelsea or Birmingham on the final day.

Liverpool Slip Down
Liverpool defeated Birmingham City Ladies 2 weeks ago to pile up the pressure on Chelsea with a 1 point gap separating the two teams and all they had to do was win the rest of their games to keep that pressure on in case of any wobbles from Chelsea, who were in 1st position, but a 3-3 draw against Arsenal took them down to 3rd position as Birmingham City climbed above them following their 2-1 victory away at Man.City Ladies.

Odds in Chelsea's Favor
Chelsea Ladies have been on top of the league table for quite a while now, but there were doubts they would remain on top when they lost to Notts. County 2 weeks ago, Birmingham City could capitalize on the Blues had they won their game against Liverpool, but a defeat for the 'other' Blues, saw Chelsea Ladies still in control of things in the league.
Chelsea Ladies built on that with a 5-2 victory over Everton Ladies, who are already relegated from the FA WSL this season, the Blues stood a chance of winning the league had Birmingham and Liverpool lost their games last weekend, but that wasn't the case, just more drama.

Still, Hope for the Reds?
Liverpool looked totally out of it inside the first 15 minutes of their game against Arsenal, 12 minutes already and it was 2-0 to the Gunners, courtesy of Jordan Nobbs with both goals. Fara Williams of Liverpool pulled one back for the Reds, but former England captain, Casey Stoney scored in the 54th minute to extend the league further and Liverpool Ladies had a mountain to climb, and climb they did! Liverpool's German forward, Nicole Rolser scored 10 minutes after Stoney's goal to make it 3-2 and in the 90th minute, Liverpool's Gemma Davison scored at the death of the game to make it 3-3 to savor any hopes of emerging as Champions!

Relentless Birmingham
Birmingham City took the lead quite early on against Manchester City Ladies, as they needed to win to relish any hopes of winning the title. Karen Carney with the goal at the 15th minute. In the second half, City forward, Jill Scott, leveled the game in the 64th minute, and it remained 1-1 for most of the game until the last few minutes, once again late dramatic finish in an FA WSL game. Karen Carney scored for Birmingham City in the 86th minute to climb to 2nd position over Liverpool and 2 points behind Chelsea.

Chelsea Have To Wait
Chelsea had an easy win over -already relegated- Everton, Rachel Williams and Eniola Aluko both scored twice while youngster defender, Hannah Blundell wrapped up the scoring in the 82nd minute. Lucy Whipp and Nikita Parris with the goals for Everton as the game ended 5-2.
Chelsea would have walked away with the title if those late goals in both Liverpool and Birmingham's games hadn't been scored, so now they have to win on the final day to ensure they clinch the title for the very first time.

To give a more visual view of things here's how the top 3 line up on the table;

Quite a finish this is heading into isn't it?
All Chelsea need is a win, all Birmingham City need is a win and a slip from Chelsea while all Liverpool need is a win, Birmingham to lose, Chelsea to lose as well, and by a small margin.
It has been a fabulous season, and I hope after it's over -hopefully Chelsea win it!- I can do a season review on it.
Next
Next and finally, Chelsea play Man.City, away, Liverpool play Bristol Academy at home and Birmingham play Notts. County at home.
Here's the full league table:

A Quick Roundup on the Swedish and English Leagues


Party Time in Sweden, Crunch Time in England
Hi guys, it's been a while since the last blog, such a relief isn’t it, finding a women’s football article that isn’t about the turf vs. grass wars? No? Anyway, aside the most dominating topic in women's football at the moment, here's a review of two top Women's leagues who are already headed towards the end of their seasons.

Turn down for what? Rosengård in Full Celebration Mode!

The Damallsvenskan
The name Malmö might have changed to Rosengård (due to reasons I do not know, look it up) but the tag 'champions' remains constant with this football club as FC Rosengård claimed the title was theirs after a 3-2 comeback victory over Göteborg FC. Anja Mittag and Marta the usual culprits with the goals.
Opposite the end of the table there's Jitex, who have not managed a point in their 17 league games. Hammered left right and center from all the clubs in the division, they have concede 51 goals so far, scoring only 5, talk about tough luck, curtains for them as relegation beckons.
As for Champions League places, the fight is till on as KIF Orebro and Göteborg FC fight for the remaining spot left in the journey to Europe in 2nd position, and both teams play each other next! Orebro travel to Göteborg next and that clash could have all the say in the fight for European football.

Here's highlights from Rosengård's 3-2 victory over Goteborg, along with some title celebrations from the Champions. --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HeCeS6raSs&list=UU5xGf0LEJA0HIzdcAxLaMag

Chelsea's to Lose, Clearly.

The FAWSL 1
Elsewhere, unlike the Swedish league who already have confirmed their champions with about two more game weeks to go, in the English topflight and with two games to go, it's still a three horse race for the title and it looks like it could go all the way.

The title would fall into the hands of Chelsea, Birmingham or defending champions, Liverpool in the next coming weeks depending on the results and it's been totally dramatic so far. All Chelsea need to do is win their next two games and they are safe. The Blues fell to Notts. County 1-0 in their last game and some of the players were emotional having the feeling the title chance had slipped away, but after the clash between Birmingham and Liverpool that ended in a 2-1 victory for Liverpool, hope was reestablished.

A win for Birmingham City would have seen them reclaim the top spot they have so much occupied all season but after that Liverpool result they now fall to third position, while Liverpool Ladies who had a slow start are now just 1 point away from Chelsea's 23, keeping good pressure on the London side.

Chelsea Ladies manager, Emma Hayes, must be drinking the same sort of coffee Chelsea's Jose Mourinho was chugging last season, (it's the only reasonable conclusion I could come to) after saying her side was never going to win the title despite being top of the table with two games to go. Mind games? I hope not, we all know how that turned out for the men's side in their last season.
 

Birmingham City Ladies had the proper chance to regain top spot after Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Notts. County, a win over fellow contenders, Liverpool, would register ‘job done’, but the Blues lost in dramatic fashion to the Reds. Liverpool’s Fara Williams, scored in the 88th minute to take all 3 points for the defending champions after Amanda Da Costa and Hannah Keryakoplis scored for both Liverpool and Birmingham, respectively.
 

The joy from Liverpool Ladies and their manager was the opposite of the Birmingham end, they knew the chance had gone and they would have to climb a mountain now to win the League. Birmingham have to win their next two games and hope both Chelsea and Liverpool slipup in their final games as well, in order to win the league. Impossible? No, unlikely? Yes.

Liverpool have had a quite torrid season compared to their last. They only dropped six points all season long that time, but this season, they’ve dropped 14 points, -the league definitely got more competitive-. Still in contention for the title with two games to go they need to see off their next two opponents in the league and hope Chelsea drop points in one of their last two games as well and then and only then can they regain their crown.
 

Chelsea Ladies play -already relegated- Everton Ladies next at home and then end the season with Manchester City Ladies, away. Liverpool Ladies on the other hand have Arsenal away, next, and then Bristol Academy at home while Birmingham City Ladies have Manchester City Ladies away next, before Notts. County at home.

It all comes down to Chelsea, the title is in their hands, win the next two games and be champions, else they give it away, it’s still Chelsea’s to lose.

So anyway, if you don't follow the FA WSL, here's a taste of some of the action going on in the league with the top goals picked out for the month of September:--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aeXr_Quna8&list=UUNT2e7Og56vm5_V-yJWvglA
Enjoy!