On Women’s Football Tour

  The Gleaming Diamond For Alex – Algarve Cup, 2011 Alex, You stood there in the Algarve sunlight, a rare diamond before the world even knew what it held. I remember it like it was yesterday: a friendly against Japan, a sea of faces, but you rose above. Not just with your pace, not just with your footwork, but with something unmeasurable. A gleam. I saw it before I could explain it. The way you moved – light on your feet, yet full of intent. The calm in your eyes, as if you already knew the path ahead. As if you already sensed what was coming: World Cup glory in 2015 and 2019, Olympic gold in London, bronze in Tokyo – as a striker, as a mother, as a symbol. As if you foresaw the European treble with Lyon, the rise with Portland, the new chapter with San Diego. As if you knew that your name would not only grace scoresheets but be etched into the history of the women’s game. Back then, there were no billboards. Europe barely knew your name. You weren’t y...

Arival after the 2015 World Cup FIFAWWC 2011 Do Something Awards 2013 Espy Awards 4 Nations  China 2007 World Cup Winner 2015 Hope Solo blonde Olympics  2012 with Carli Lloyd  

  Hope Solo, one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in the history of women’s soccer, is back, and her return to the sport has been nothing short of remarkable. Known for her exceptional talent, fierce personality, and unrelenting drive, Solo’s journey through the ups and downs of her career and personal life has shaped her into a figure of inspiration for many. But her comeback is more than just about getting back on the field—it’s about resilience, passion, and the indomitable will to prove that even in the face of adversity, greatness can be rediscovered. A Legacy of Excellence Before her hiatus, Hope Solo was an undeniable force in women’s soccer. Her record-breaking career with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) saw her become one of the most decorated and dominant goalkeepers the world has ever known. Solo was instrumental in securing Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and played a key role in the U.S. winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup. With over 150 international clea...

  In the same weekend as the men, the HSV Frauen returned to Bundesliga: after a 3–0 win over SC Freiburg II, Hamburger SV Women are officially back in the German top flight – the Frauen-Bundesliga – for the first time in thirteen years. This isn’t just a return; it’s a resurrection. Earlier this season, HSV also reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals , facing northern rivals Werder Bremen in a match that reminded everyone of their big-club DNA. And history runs deep here. Kim Kulig , Ana-Maria Crnogorčević , and Carolin Simon – all major international names – once wore this shirt. Their legacy lives on in the spirit and determination of today’s team. The women’s side was withdrawn from the Bundesliga in 2012 due to financial decisions, not sporting failure. They had to rebuild from the lower leagues, with little spotlight but immense heart. Now, that patience, loyalty, and love for the club have paid off. HSV Frauen are home again – back among Germany’s elite. Some dreams tak...

  In het zelfde weekend waarin de mannen van HSV promoveerden, doen de vrouwen het gewoon ook: HSV Frauen keren na dertien jaar terug naar de 1. Frauen-Bundesliga. Met een overtuigende 3-0 zege tegen SC Freiburg II maakten ze hun promotie officieel. Een historische prestatie voor een team dat al het hele seizoen indruk maakt. En dat doen ze niet alleen in de competitie. Dit seizoen stonden de HSV-vrouwen ook in de halve finale van de DFB-Pokal , waarin ze het opnamen tegen niemand minder dan Werder Bremen . Een echte noordderby, op het hoogste podium – een bewijs dat HSV niet zomaar terugkeert, maar meteen weer meetelt. De promotie van HSV Frauen is een terugkeer naar een traditie. Want dit is de club waar ooit grote namen als Kim Kulig , Ana-Maria Crnogorčević en Carolin Simon hun stappen zetten. Internationals die hun sporen verdienden op EK’s, WK’s en Champions League-podia. Hun erfenis leeft voort in het huidige team – in de strijdlust, het vertrouwen en de trots waarmee...

  Ode aan Hanna Ljungberg Er zijn voetballers, en er zijn kunstenaars. Meer dan twintig jaar geleden werd ik gegrepen door een speelster die de bal beroerde zoals Mozart de toetsen van een piano. Hanna Ljungberg. Het was 2003, het WK voor vrouwen flitste over het scherm en daar was ze  snel, gracieus, niet te stoppen. Op dat moment werd mijn hart voor altijd verbonden met het vrouwenvoetbal. Ik volgde haar naar Umeå, waar voetbal iets magisch werd, waar elk doelpunt een verhaal vertelde, waar ik de eer had haar drie keer te ontmoeten  momenten die ik koester als kostbare edelstenen. Hanna was niet zomaar een speelster. Ze was een beleving. Een stem zonder woorden, een vonk die een vuur deed ontbranden dat me tot op vandaag voortstuwt, van de Algarve tot Stockholm, van stadion tot stadion, gedreven door de liefde die zij in mij wakker maakte. Maar nog boven haar talent stond haar bescheidenheid. In een wereld vol sterren straalde Hanna stille...

  Lets call her Señorita . Not because she hails from Spain, but because there’s something undeniably elegant almost musical about the way Barbara Bonansea plays football. Born in Pinerolo, raised on the dreams that grew between the Alps and the streets of Turin, she has become one of the most graceful forces Italian football has ever known. Bonansea is more than a winger. She’s a rhythm. A current. When she runs down the flank, she does it with a dancer’s control and a fighter’s intent. Her feints speak of ballet; her finishes echo thunder. For Juventus, for the Azzurre, she has been both creator and savior, the one you look to when everything seems to hang in the balance. She never shouts for attention, but attention finds her. Not for theatrics but for the purity of her game. For her consistency. For her courage. Barbara Bonansea carries herself with the kind of quiet pride that doesn’t need a spotlight to shine. She leads by example, by presence. In her, you see what it mean...

  Aitana Bonmatí  The Architect of Silence She doesn’t roar. She rewrites. Not with power, not with noise but with lines drawn in motion, with touches that feel like whispers, and with vision that sees what others only sense. Aitana Bonmatí plays the way silence moves through a room: soft, absolute, undeniable. She isn’t the one who points. She leads by making the right move one second before anyone else thinks of it. A shoulder turn. A pause. A pass that looks simple,until you realize it split the defense in two. There’s no flamboyance. No need. The game bends to her rhythm, and teammates adjust like musicians around a pianist who never misses a note. She doesn't take the spotlight— she shifts it, so the play can breathe, so beauty can emerge unforced. But make no mistake she finishes, too. Left foot, right foot, edge of the box. Her goals aren’t thunderclaps. They are decisions. Elegant, deliberate, final. They used to say the game needed more pow...

  It’s Time People Forgive Korbin Albert There are moments when a sport has to decide what it truly stands for. Women's football, at its heart, has never just been about results. It's about resilience, community, and the grace to rise after we stumble. That’s why it’s time — long past time — that people begin to forgive Korbin Albert. Let’s be honest. She made a mistake. A public one. One that hurt people. No one is asking us to forget. But what makes women’s football so beautiful, so different from the world that too often surrounds it, is this: we are allowed to grow . Or at least we should be. Korbin is not just a player. She’s a symbol now, whether she wanted to be or not. A symbol of how quickly we elevate talent, and just as quickly cut it down. But she is also a young woman with a fire in her game that you don’t coach — you feel it. That midfield presence, the eye for goal, the stamina, the willingness to carry a team when it matters — you don’t throw that away. Her ...

 PSG beated Paris FC in the semi final play off win and will now play Olympic Lyon for the Championship on friday. Olympic Lyon beated Dijon 4-1 Watch here a great goal by Korbin Albert

  Six in a Row – Barcelona Femení and the Art of Relentless Joy This isn’t just a football team. It’s a force of nature. On a bright May day in Seville, Barcelona Femení didn’t just defend their crown— they reshaped the idea of dominance. 0-9 away at Real Betis. Not a final push— a parade of excellence. Sixth consecutive league title. And not by inches, but by oceans. Alexia Putellas , La Reina , reminded the world: this is still her era. Two goals, both struck with the kind of fire that tells you she’s not done— not even close. She plays with a spark in her eyes again, with purpose, with freedom. Stay with us, Alexia— until 40, until forever. Clàudia Pina , radiant and ruthless, claimed her hat trick like a natural born heir. Aitana Bonmatí, the quiet compass, guided the midfield with her usual grace— and left her signature on the scoreline too. Ewa Pajor , new but already woven into the rhythm, netted twice with ease. And Esmee Brugts completed the sy...

  Voorstel: De Anouk Hoogendijk Schaal Het vrouwenvoetbal in Nederland en België groeit snel, met stijgende kijkcijfers, stijgende opkomst en een bredere maatschappelijke impact. Het is tijd voor een symbolische en sportieve stap richting meer samenwerking: een jaarlijkse BENE Supercup waarin de topteams uit beide landen het tegen elkaar opnemen, geïnspireerd door het Spaanse Supercopa-model. Een Bene Supercup die de landsgrenzen overstijgt, net zoals Anouk Hoogendijk dat doet in de harten van voetballiefhebbers. Een jaarlijks terugkerende wedstrijd tussen: – De kampioen van Nederland – De kampioen van België – De bekerwinnaar van Nederland – De bekerwinnaar van België Net zoals de Spaanse Supercopa — vier teams, één titel. Een mooie seizoensopener vol prestige, rivaliteit en respect. Locatie: – Jaar 1: België (bijv. Leuven, centraal én voetbalstad) – Jaar 2: Nederland (bijv. Den Haag — symbolisch en goed bereikbaar) – Afwisselend, met focus op sfeer, toegankelijkheid en promotie v...

  A midfield maestro with a defender’s heart  your journey from Marieholm to the world stage has been marked by grace, grit, and gold. From lifting the UEFA U-19 Championship in 2012 to earning Olympic silver in 2016, your career reflects dedication and excellence. In 2023, you were honored with the Diamantbollen, recognizing you as Sweden’s best female footballer. Wishing you a birthday filled with joy and pride. Grattis på födelsedagen, Elin your legacy continues to inspire!

  Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir – The Unyielding Icelandic Wall She may not be a household name everywhere, but anyone who follows women’s football with heart and soul knows what she stood for. Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir is not just a goalkeeper. She’s a symbol of character, resilience, and pure Icelandic fire between the posts. She held her ground – or rather, stood her ground – in Germany, Sweden, Norway, and of course for the Icelandic national team. Wherever she played, she left a lasting impression. Not always in the spotlight, but always ready. Always there when it truly mattered. Gudbjörg wasn’t the loudest voice, but she was the most reliable one at the back. She read the game with a calmness that gave confidence to every defence. And those who saw her play live know: there was something untameable in her reflexes. Something you can’t teach. Even after a long spell away due to a serious ACL injury, no one doubted she would return. Because Gudbjörg never gave up. And when she came ...

 CHAPEL HILL – Mia Hamm, legendarisch voetbalicoon en alumna van de University of North Carolina, heeft op zaterdag 10 mei de afstudeerspeech gegeven voor de Class of 2025 aan haar oude universiteit. Voor een publiek van meer dan 6.800 afgestudeerden sprak Hamm in het Kenan Stadium over de waarde van teamwerk, dankbaarheid en het erkennen van de mensen die je onderweg helpen. “Iedereen krijgt straks een diploma met zijn of haar naam erop,” zei ze. “Maar in onzichtbare inkt staan op dat blad ook de namen van iedereen die je onderweg heeft geholpen.” Met haar woorden herinnerde ze de aanwezigen eraan dat succes zelden op eigen kracht komt, en dat verbondenheid een blijvende krachtbron is. “Voor altijd maak je deel uit van dit team. Ons team. Afgestudeerden van de University of North Carolina,” aldus Hamm. De avondceremonie vond plaats onder de stadionlichten en werd feestelijk afgesloten met vuurwerk. Het was de tweede keer dat de plechtigheid ’s avonds werd gehouden.

  Happy Birthday, Daniëlle Noordermeer! A rock at the back, a mind in motion — you balance elite football with groundbreaking research. From Excelsior to ADO Den Haag, you've become a cornerstone of the defense, never missing a match, always leading with composure. Off the pitch, you're making strides in cardiometabolic research, pursuing a PhD at Erasmus MC. Wishing you a birthday filled with joy, and continued success both on the field and in the lab. Gefeliciteerd, Daniëlle — een voorbeeld voor velen!

  Happy Birthday, Petra Vaelma! A steadfast defender and a cornerstone of Finnish football. From Turku to the international stage, you showcased resilience and leadership. With 93 caps for Finland and appearances in multiple European Championships, your commitment to the game has left an indelible mark. Wishing you a birthday filled with joy and reflection on a remarkable career. Onnea syntymäpäivän johdosta, Petra!

  Tous deux sont luxembourgeois. Tous deux ont porté le brassard avec une dignité tranquille. Guy Hellers, figure emblématique du football masculin luxembourgeois, a incarné pendant des années l’esprit de combativité et de constance. Aujourd’hui, Laura Miller marche dans ses pas, avec la même humilité, la même importance. Capitaine du Standard Fémina, elle est bien plus qu’une joueuse. À Sclessin, elle est un pilier. Une présence qui rassure, une intelligence de jeu qui guide. Elle ne crie pas, elle agit. Fidèle aux couleurs, fidèle à ses coéquipières. Avec le Luxembourg, elle défend son pays avec fierté, dans l’ombre des projecteurs mais avec une lumière qui ne s’éteint jamais. Laura Miller, c’est une monument discrète. Comme Guy Hellers. Et peut-être que c’est cela, la vraie grandeur.

  Happy Birthday, Anna Anvegård! A quiet finisher, a constant threat — you let your goals do the talking. From Växjö to Everton, and now shining at BK Häcken, you’ve shown consistency, class, and that signature Swedish calm in front of goal. Top scorer, title-winner, and a role model on and off the pitch. Wishing you a birthday filled with joy, strength, and beautiful football. Happy 28th, Anna — may the goals keep flowing!

10 Reasons Why Hanna Ljungberg Is the real G.O.A.T.   There are legends. There are icons. And then there is Hanna Ljungberg . Not just a striker, but a force of nature – the kind of player who doesn’t merely play the game, but reshapes it. She didn’t need a spotlight. Her play did the talking. Her legacy? Spoken in the present tense – because Hanna still is . Fun fact: She’s the only player for whom Marta – yes, that Marta – gave up the number 10 shirt. In Umeå, Marta wore 60 out of pure respect. That says everything.   1. A Relentless Eye for Goal She doesn’t just score  she hunts goals. 2. Explosiveness Beyond Comparison First steps like lightning. Power in every stride. 3. Technique That Carves Defenders Apart Control, timing, precision – she makes it look effortless. 4. Always a Team Player No ego. Just work rate, spirit, and unity. 5. Mentality of Steel Injury after injury – yet never broken. Always back. 6. Feared and Respected on the Global Stage From ...