Maria Karlsson
Maria Karlsson is a defender for Doncaster Rovers Belles and the first Swedish international in the FA Women’s Super League.
Maria Karlsson in a match for Jitex (Photo by Per Montini)
Sept. 16, 2011
Quick turns in life
Sometimes life takes quick turns. I played my last game with Doncaster last Sunday. Unfortunately
we were beat by a better team (Birmingham), and the first FA WSL season for Doncaster Rovers Belles
was over. The season and the league (Damallsvenskan) in Sweden is longer, so on the Monday after
I confirmed the transfer papers for my new Swedish club, Jitex BK. I then packed my bags, said my
goodbyes to the club and my friends in Doncaster, and in the early morning on Tuesday, I flew home
to Gothenburg. My head was confused and my feelings were mixed those days. It felt sad and weird
to leave Doncaster and everybody I’ve got to know during these eight months on such a short notice,
but at the same time it felt good to be back in Sweden, to see my family and friends. As I said, mixed
feelings.
So now I’ve switched Doncaster to Gothenburg, The Belles to Jitex, the Ramada Hotel to my own apartment, the hotel food menu to a kitchen and so on…
I have already played two games with my new club, the first one, the day after I arrived to Gothenburg. We played my former team Göteborg FC, the club I played for my first seven years in Damallsvenskan. It was a derby on the pitch where I’ve been so many times. It was a special game, also because I played together with my younger sister, Sofia. We lost that game, but won four days later when we played again, that game the Karlsson sisters played center halves together.
I’ve spent a lot of time with my sisters and my little nephew, William, this last week. I said to Sofia on Sunday: “Talk to you this week”, totally forgetting that I’m going to train with her every day now. Feels good.
Once again, I want to say thanks to everyone who made my first year abroad as a footballer a memory for life. You all have a special place in my mind, and I hope to see you again.
Quick turns in life
Sometimes life takes quick turns. I played my last game with Doncaster last Sunday. Unfortunately
we were beat by a better team (Birmingham), and the first FA WSL season for Doncaster Rovers Belles
was over. The season and the league (Damallsvenskan) in Sweden is longer, so on the Monday after
I confirmed the transfer papers for my new Swedish club, Jitex BK. I then packed my bags, said my
goodbyes to the club and my friends in Doncaster, and in the early morning on Tuesday, I flew home
to Gothenburg. My head was confused and my feelings were mixed those days. It felt sad and weird
to leave Doncaster and everybody I’ve got to know during these eight months on such a short notice,
but at the same time it felt good to be back in Sweden, to see my family and friends. As I said, mixed
feelings.
So now I’ve switched Doncaster to Gothenburg, The Belles to Jitex, the Ramada Hotel to my own apartment, the hotel food menu to a kitchen and so on…
I have already played two games with my new club, the first one, the day after I arrived to Gothenburg. We played my former team Göteborg FC, the club I played for my first seven years in Damallsvenskan. It was a derby on the pitch where I’ve been so many times. It was a special game, also because I played together with my younger sister, Sofia. We lost that game, but won four days later when we played again, that game the Karlsson sisters played center halves together.
I’ve spent a lot of time with my sisters and my little nephew, William, this last week. I said to Sofia on Sunday: “Talk to you this week”, totally forgetting that I’m going to train with her every day now. Feels good.
Once again, I want to say thanks to everyone who made my first year abroad as a footballer a memory for life. You all have a special place in my mind, and I hope to see you again.
Sept. 1, 2011
Final days in Doncaster for Super League season
As I’ve written before I live at a Hotel during my time here in England. Ramada Encore Hotel has been Aine, Kylla, and my home for the last eight months. I’ve told people that I really don’t like that somebody else cleans my room, makes my bed and give me clean towels almost every day. I don’t like the feeling of being spoiled. The last sentence is still true. But I’ve changed my mind about the first one. I love to come back to my room when the floor is clean, new fresh linens, and warm towels. I can learn to live like this. The housekeepers at Ramada do a fabulous job. After the season here in England, when I’m back in Gothenburg I’m going to live in my apartment together with a friend for a month. Nella, if you read this. Be prepared to take care of a spoiled Maria.
I’ve been playing football almost my whole life. But I have never seen a league end its season like we did in our last league game against Birmingham on Sunday. They were 2-0 up until there was three minutes left in the game. In the 87th minute we scored on a free kick, and in the extra time we got a another free kick and scored again! Amazing finish, and good character girls.
Next Sunday we play Birmingham at Keepmoat again. This time in the League Cup, Continental Cup. After Sunday’s result, it will hopefully be a good and exiting game (that we’ll win). See you at Keepmoat Stadium 2 p.m! I also have to congratulate Arsenal in winning the first FA WSL title. You deserved it. Well done.
I went to Cleethorpes on the English East Coast on Tuesday, and I really cannot understand what the English people see is beautiful or fantastic with this place. Thank God for the Swedish East and West Coast. On Friday, Kylla and I are going to Glasgow to be part of our teammate Rhonda’s charity event. Lots of things to look forward to in the next coming days. See you all next week, blog readers!
Final days in Doncaster for Super League season
As I’ve written before I live at a Hotel during my time here in England. Ramada Encore Hotel has been Aine, Kylla, and my home for the last eight months. I’ve told people that I really don’t like that somebody else cleans my room, makes my bed and give me clean towels almost every day. I don’t like the feeling of being spoiled. The last sentence is still true. But I’ve changed my mind about the first one. I love to come back to my room when the floor is clean, new fresh linens, and warm towels. I can learn to live like this. The housekeepers at Ramada do a fabulous job. After the season here in England, when I’m back in Gothenburg I’m going to live in my apartment together with a friend for a month. Nella, if you read this. Be prepared to take care of a spoiled Maria.
I’ve been playing football almost my whole life. But I have never seen a league end its season like we did in our last league game against Birmingham on Sunday. They were 2-0 up until there was three minutes left in the game. In the 87th minute we scored on a free kick, and in the extra time we got a another free kick and scored again! Amazing finish, and good character girls.
Next Sunday we play Birmingham at Keepmoat again. This time in the League Cup, Continental Cup. After Sunday’s result, it will hopefully be a good and exiting game (that we’ll win). See you at Keepmoat Stadium 2 p.m! I also have to congratulate Arsenal in winning the first FA WSL title. You deserved it. Well done.
I went to Cleethorpes on the English East Coast on Tuesday, and I really cannot understand what the English people see is beautiful or fantastic with this place. Thank God for the Swedish East and West Coast. On Friday, Kylla and I are going to Glasgow to be part of our teammate Rhonda’s charity event. Lots of things to look forward to in the next coming days. See you all next week, blog readers!
Aug. 21, 2011
Meetings
I was at Keepmoat Stadium one day this week to watch our men’s Doncaster Rovers team. During the game I was sitting next to our coach John’s dad. John is from Scotland, and I had (still have) a hard time understanding him and his accent. You can just imagine me sitting talking with his 80-year-old dad. He is a great old man, so much like his son, loves to talk. And I was smiling and nodding away. When there was 10 minutes left in the (quite boring) game he told me: “Can you please ring me when the game is over.” And at the same time he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. Lovely, funny, man.
The meeting with John’s dad made me think about all new people I’ve met here in Doncaster. All the great girls on the team, all so different from the other. I unfortunately do not have enough space in this blog to describe them all and their personalities. All our coaches and people around the club that do their best to improve this team and make us move forward. The James' family, who took care of me when first arriving in Doncaster, and let us foreigners cook in their kitchen now and then. Alicia and Mark, a lovely couple that I hope will visit me in Gothenburg. All the staff at Ramada Hotel that really try to help us feel like home. The staff and nice members at Bawtry Gym. All the kids, their parents and other supporters that watch our games and last but not least my friends and house buddies Aine and Kylla. We are not always on the same page or have the same opinions, but we have a lot of fun together, and I know I’m going to miss them both a lot when this adventure is over. There are so many people I’ve met and for those I have not mentioned, you mean a lot to me, too.
You can read all about our games at my team’s webpage: www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk so I’ll skip the football talk in this blog. I went to Wales this weekend to walk in Snowdonia National Park and walked up for Snowdon Mountain, the highest mountain in Wales. It was two nice days of hiking and sightseeing.
Week’s mum: Kasia’s, who made me red currant jelly to have to the Swedish meatballs. It was lovely!
Meetings
I was at Keepmoat Stadium one day this week to watch our men’s Doncaster Rovers team. During the game I was sitting next to our coach John’s dad. John is from Scotland, and I had (still have) a hard time understanding him and his accent. You can just imagine me sitting talking with his 80-year-old dad. He is a great old man, so much like his son, loves to talk. And I was smiling and nodding away. When there was 10 minutes left in the (quite boring) game he told me: “Can you please ring me when the game is over.” And at the same time he closed his eyes, pretending to sleep. Lovely, funny, man.
The meeting with John’s dad made me think about all new people I’ve met here in Doncaster. All the great girls on the team, all so different from the other. I unfortunately do not have enough space in this blog to describe them all and their personalities. All our coaches and people around the club that do their best to improve this team and make us move forward. The James' family, who took care of me when first arriving in Doncaster, and let us foreigners cook in their kitchen now and then. Alicia and Mark, a lovely couple that I hope will visit me in Gothenburg. All the staff at Ramada Hotel that really try to help us feel like home. The staff and nice members at Bawtry Gym. All the kids, their parents and other supporters that watch our games and last but not least my friends and house buddies Aine and Kylla. We are not always on the same page or have the same opinions, but we have a lot of fun together, and I know I’m going to miss them both a lot when this adventure is over. There are so many people I’ve met and for those I have not mentioned, you mean a lot to me, too.
You can read all about our games at my team’s webpage: www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk so I’ll skip the football talk in this blog. I went to Wales this weekend to walk in Snowdonia National Park and walked up for Snowdon Mountain, the highest mountain in Wales. It was two nice days of hiking and sightseeing.
Week’s mum: Kasia’s, who made me red currant jelly to have to the Swedish meatballs. It was lovely!
Sofia and Maria stand beside their sister, the bride, Anna.
Aug. 13, 2011
Three games, one wedding in less than a week
I’ve not been the best blog writer this last week. But I have a good excuse.
Last week was a busy one, with three games in six days. Playing so much in so few days isn’t ideal, but we put our best foot forward and focus on the tasks at hand. Unfortunately the games haven’t gone our way. One point in three games is not good enough, but we are looking forward now and going to end this season the best we can. And we start with Arsenal away on Sunday.
The reason why I haven’t been blogging the last week is because I’ve been home in Gothenburg, Sweden, for my older sister Anna’s wedding. What a lovely day it was, and she was the most beautiful bride. My younger sister, Sofia, and I were the bridesmaids. The three of us started the day at the hairdresser early in the morning having our hair styled, relaxing, enjoying a glass of champagne and each other’s company. Being away from home and not seeing my family and sisters makes me appreciate moments like this so much.
After the hairdresser, we did our makeup and then went to the church to meet the groom and the best men for some photos. My sister was very chilled the whole day. Maybe too relaxed because after we had a bite to eat in their apartment and it was time for the ceremony, something was forgotten. As the bridesmaid, I was standing in the church ready to take the bouquet when Anna got her ring. I guess I looked surprised when I didn’t see any flowers. Anna was looking at me, just as surprised. The bouquet was home in the fridge. That was a small detail gone wrong, on this beautiful day. They both said “I do” and I guess that is the most important. The evening and night went on with a lovely three-course meal, nice and funny speeches, a waltz, and happy dancing people all night long with a beautiful red sunset over the sea as a back drop to the night. I walk around with a smile here in Doncaster when I’m thinking of the day. I feel almost as if I want to have a wedding for myself now. I just need to find the man of my life first.
Week’s baby: One of my best football friends at home who gave birth to a baby girl, Ines, on Monday.
Week’s missed: Our Scottish friend who has left the Ramada.
Three games, one wedding in less than a week
I’ve not been the best blog writer this last week. But I have a good excuse.
Last week was a busy one, with three games in six days. Playing so much in so few days isn’t ideal, but we put our best foot forward and focus on the tasks at hand. Unfortunately the games haven’t gone our way. One point in three games is not good enough, but we are looking forward now and going to end this season the best we can. And we start with Arsenal away on Sunday.
The reason why I haven’t been blogging the last week is because I’ve been home in Gothenburg, Sweden, for my older sister Anna’s wedding. What a lovely day it was, and she was the most beautiful bride. My younger sister, Sofia, and I were the bridesmaids. The three of us started the day at the hairdresser early in the morning having our hair styled, relaxing, enjoying a glass of champagne and each other’s company. Being away from home and not seeing my family and sisters makes me appreciate moments like this so much.
After the hairdresser, we did our makeup and then went to the church to meet the groom and the best men for some photos. My sister was very chilled the whole day. Maybe too relaxed because after we had a bite to eat in their apartment and it was time for the ceremony, something was forgotten. As the bridesmaid, I was standing in the church ready to take the bouquet when Anna got her ring. I guess I looked surprised when I didn’t see any flowers. Anna was looking at me, just as surprised. The bouquet was home in the fridge. That was a small detail gone wrong, on this beautiful day. They both said “I do” and I guess that is the most important. The evening and night went on with a lovely three-course meal, nice and funny speeches, a waltz, and happy dancing people all night long with a beautiful red sunset over the sea as a back drop to the night. I walk around with a smile here in Doncaster when I’m thinking of the day. I feel almost as if I want to have a wedding for myself now. I just need to find the man of my life first.
Week’s baby: One of my best football friends at home who gave birth to a baby girl, Ines, on Monday.
Week’s missed: Our Scottish friend who has left the Ramada.
July 29, 2011
Thinking of Norway
First of all, I want to send my thoughts to the victims and their families from the awful events that took place in Norway last Friday. That day gave perspective on life, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it and all the people who were involved this last week. We started the second part of FA WSL last Saturday, when we played the front runners of the league, Birmingham. Unfortunately, we began the game very slow, and Birmingham, that has a good side, punished us two times in the first half. We played much better in the second, but still without scoring any goals. The game finished 3-0. A bad result for us, but we need to bring the second half with us to Sunday’s game against Chelsea in London and hope for a stronger performance there.
After training this Monday, I took the train to York. I really like the old town, 25 minutes north on the train from Doncaster. So if you are in the north of England, I recommend you go there. We are now four internationals that are staying at Ramada Hotel. The Scottish Julia “Ralphi” Scott arrived last week, and it’s nice to have one more teammate (and one more car!) around us. And those who think I’m going to come home to Sweden after the season with an English accent, you all thought wrong! My English is going to be a nice mix of Canadian/Irish/Scottish/Swedish and maybe with some broad Yorkshire in between.
Week’s sweet: Millie and her mum that brought two lovely cakes to the training last week. One with chocolate taste and one with coffee. Thanks!
Week’s meal: Tonight it’s time for Swedish meatballs again. Looking forward.
Thinking of Norway
First of all, I want to send my thoughts to the victims and their families from the awful events that took place in Norway last Friday. That day gave perspective on life, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it and all the people who were involved this last week. We started the second part of FA WSL last Saturday, when we played the front runners of the league, Birmingham. Unfortunately, we began the game very slow, and Birmingham, that has a good side, punished us two times in the first half. We played much better in the second, but still without scoring any goals. The game finished 3-0. A bad result for us, but we need to bring the second half with us to Sunday’s game against Chelsea in London and hope for a stronger performance there.
After training this Monday, I took the train to York. I really like the old town, 25 minutes north on the train from Doncaster. So if you are in the north of England, I recommend you go there. We are now four internationals that are staying at Ramada Hotel. The Scottish Julia “Ralphi” Scott arrived last week, and it’s nice to have one more teammate (and one more car!) around us. And those who think I’m going to come home to Sweden after the season with an English accent, you all thought wrong! My English is going to be a nice mix of Canadian/Irish/Scottish/Swedish and maybe with some broad Yorkshire in between.
Week’s sweet: Millie and her mum that brought two lovely cakes to the training last week. One with chocolate taste and one with coffee. Thanks!
Week’s meal: Tonight it’s time for Swedish meatballs again. Looking forward.
July 21, 2011
Victories for Japan, Sweden and The Belles
Victories for Japan, Sweden and The Belles
From Fredrikstad, Norway 2008. Hope Solo, Maria Karlsson, and Maria's friend, Camilla.
My biggest and best congratulations to the Japanese team and their brilliant performance during the whole WWC. It has been fantastic to see Japan’s technical and fast play during the whole tournament. They were ranked number four in the world, and therefore it is actually a little surprising that so many people have been so surprised by their success. I’m one of them. Japan was good before the tournament. Their performance during it was brilliant, and now they have proven that they are the best. Wow!
I’m suffering with my old teammate, Hope Solo, with the Swedish manager Pia, and the rest of the U.S. team. To lose a final is tough, but if it’s something that this team has proven many times it is that they can come back again and again. Pleasing and with a brilliant conclusion to the WWC, Sweden took the third place and the bronze medal. And I know that my friends in the Swedish team got a fantastic reception in Gothenburg, and that they will enjoy and celebrate the medal a long time to come.
Kylla, her friend from Canada, and I went to Edinburgh last weekend. I really liked the city with the old town, the castle, the small streets, big hills, and the bag pipe music in every corner. We won our rehearsal against Glasgow, 5-2, and The Belles feel prepared and stronger than ever (I know, I’ve only been here for seven months). I hope we can continue to improve the way we do, and we are all really looking forward to our game against Birmingham away on Saturday. Kick-off 3 p.m. at Stratford. See you there! Yesterday was a whole day in Coventry with the English FA, the ambassadors, the clubs, and the County’s FA. FAWSL will be developed and visions are very positive and good.
My heart William sat up from lying down for the first time when I “talked” to him live via Skype this weekend. I miss.
Week’s honesty: When I started to think I actually speak quite good English, now a little girl that I coached told me, “Miss, you don’t speak properly.” I love honest people.
Week’s bride: Camilla, one of my best friends, who married her Fredrik this weekend. I wish I could be there. See you next week!
I’m suffering with my old teammate, Hope Solo, with the Swedish manager Pia, and the rest of the U.S. team. To lose a final is tough, but if it’s something that this team has proven many times it is that they can come back again and again. Pleasing and with a brilliant conclusion to the WWC, Sweden took the third place and the bronze medal. And I know that my friends in the Swedish team got a fantastic reception in Gothenburg, and that they will enjoy and celebrate the medal a long time to come.
Kylla, her friend from Canada, and I went to Edinburgh last weekend. I really liked the city with the old town, the castle, the small streets, big hills, and the bag pipe music in every corner. We won our rehearsal against Glasgow, 5-2, and The Belles feel prepared and stronger than ever (I know, I’ve only been here for seven months). I hope we can continue to improve the way we do, and we are all really looking forward to our game against Birmingham away on Saturday. Kick-off 3 p.m. at Stratford. See you there! Yesterday was a whole day in Coventry with the English FA, the ambassadors, the clubs, and the County’s FA. FAWSL will be developed and visions are very positive and good.
My heart William sat up from lying down for the first time when I “talked” to him live via Skype this weekend. I miss.
Week’s honesty: When I started to think I actually speak quite good English, now a little girl that I coached told me, “Miss, you don’t speak properly.” I love honest people.
Week’s bride: Camilla, one of my best friends, who married her Fredrik this weekend. I wish I could be there. See you next week!
July 11, 2011
Preparing for Doncaster, keeping an eye on Sweden
Preparing for Doncaster, keeping an eye on Sweden
A cream tea garden in southern England
Another week has passed, this time with a lot of WWC, training and a trip to the south coast. On Thursday night, I met my parents in Chester, a city on the border of North Wales. Friday morning, we drove down to Torquay, a town known as the English Riviera. It was nice to be close to the sea, with beaches and palm trees, even if the weather wasn’t like “the real Riviera” in July. Close to Torquay there was a small village called Cockington, a pretty area were we had cream tea, tea with scones, jam, and cream. Lovely! After Torquay, we drove east to the Jurassic coast and a nice place called Lyme Regis and finally we headed off to Southampton. It was nice to see new places, have nice food, to drive in the left traffic, and of course, to meet my parents for two days.
Sweden is playing the quarterfinal against Japan Wednesday. They met each other just a couple of days before the WWC started, and the result was 1-1. So I hope, and think, that we can expect an evenly matched and exciting game. I don’t like to bet, but fingers crossed, and I hold my thumbs (Swedish) for yellow jerseys in the final.
The Belles continue their preseason part two. On Sunday, we have a good exhibition game against Glasgow, Scotland’s best team. So to all the people in Doncaster, see you at Keepmoat 1 p.m.
There’s going to be more of Scotland for me this week. When I’m here playing football in a new country, I’m trying to combine it with another big interest I have ... travel. So at the end of this week, I’m going to Edinburgh to explore Scotland’s capital and maybe see some castles.
Week’s funniest moment: my sister Sofia and I practicing our speech to our older sister Anna’s wedding on Skype. We are struggling.
Sweden is playing the quarterfinal against Japan Wednesday. They met each other just a couple of days before the WWC started, and the result was 1-1. So I hope, and think, that we can expect an evenly matched and exciting game. I don’t like to bet, but fingers crossed, and I hold my thumbs (Swedish) for yellow jerseys in the final.
The Belles continue their preseason part two. On Sunday, we have a good exhibition game against Glasgow, Scotland’s best team. So to all the people in Doncaster, see you at Keepmoat 1 p.m.
There’s going to be more of Scotland for me this week. When I’m here playing football in a new country, I’m trying to combine it with another big interest I have ... travel. So at the end of this week, I’m going to Edinburgh to explore Scotland’s capital and maybe see some castles.
Week’s funniest moment: my sister Sofia and I practicing our speech to our older sister Anna’s wedding on Skype. We are struggling.
July 2, 2011
Danger on the roads
Danger on the roads
This week I’ve got a new bike, and I love it. It’s so much freedom to just go out on a ride, see new places and to come a long way in a short time. I always start my bike rides on the left side, but in one way or another after intersections and other things I always ending up biking on the right side. So if you are around Doncaster and you see a blonde girl on a red bike, watch out. It could be me.
There are a lot of good and even games in the World Cup, and it’s nice to see that so many “new” countries have improved the last years and that the former “big” nations are challenged by new exciting teams. Sweden has reached the quarterfinal and so have USA, France, and Germany. Gold for any of these teams maybe?
This is my 18th blog for Our Game Magazine. Time flies, and I actually feel quite home in many situations here in Doncaster now. There are three weeks left to the second part of FA WSL starts, and I’m looking forward to playing games again. The Belles prepare ourselves the best we can during this second pre-season and start to play friendlies next week.
My parents are going to travel in Wales and southern England the coming week. I’m going to meet them in Chester on their wedding anniversary on Thursday and travel with them in two days. I’m looking forward.
I’m sorry, but I can’t recommend a movie this week. But I can tell you not to watch Bad Teacher.
Try caramelized ginger. Lovely!
There are a lot of good and even games in the World Cup, and it’s nice to see that so many “new” countries have improved the last years and that the former “big” nations are challenged by new exciting teams. Sweden has reached the quarterfinal and so have USA, France, and Germany. Gold for any of these teams maybe?
This is my 18th blog for Our Game Magazine. Time flies, and I actually feel quite home in many situations here in Doncaster now. There are three weeks left to the second part of FA WSL starts, and I’m looking forward to playing games again. The Belles prepare ourselves the best we can during this second pre-season and start to play friendlies next week.
My parents are going to travel in Wales and southern England the coming week. I’m going to meet them in Chester on their wedding anniversary on Thursday and travel with them in two days. I’m looking forward.
I’m sorry, but I can’t recommend a movie this week. But I can tell you not to watch Bad Teacher.
Try caramelized ginger. Lovely!
June 26, 2011
Happy Midsummer!
A couple of days late because of trouble with the Internet, but hope all you Swedes had a nice day. More about Midsummer later. Now I’m back in Doncaster after some
nice weeks home in Sweden. The last week at home was filled with a lot of fun with family and friends.
Last weekend, we had a bachelorette party for my older sister, Anna. She’s getting married later this summer. My little sister, some friends to Anna, and myself had prepared a whole day of fun-filled events. We started by surprising her with breakfast in a park in the morning, then we had some competitions, we did fencing, had lunch, went to a spa, had a nice dinner together and finally we had a night out. It was a fantastic day, and I think Anna really enjoyed it. At least she looked like she did!
Last week, I also met some of the girls in the Swedish National Team when they had a friendly game against Mexico in Gothenburg. It was nice to see them, and they seemed to be well prepared for the WWC. I’m looking forward to watch the tournament!
During the break, I’ve finally got an apartment in my hometown. I love to be in my parent’s house and even sleep at my sister's sofas, but it feels good to have my own home when I’m coming back. And even if I am not staying there for a long time, at least all my stuff have somewhere to live now!
Friday the 24th of June all Swedes celebrate Midsummer (Midsommar). Midsummer is almost as big as Christmas and Easter at home. I’m gonna write some information about the day so my international followers know what I’m talking about. Actually it’s weird for me that nobody here in England knows what I’m talking about. Midsummer celebrations are always on a Friday (between the 19th-25th of June). The origin of the celebrations is that the longest day of the year is some day around Midsummer.
Things that you need to have for a perfect Midsummer is new potatoes, herring, strawberries, shots, maypole, and a wreath of flowers. The maypole is covered with flowers and everybody dances around it and sing silly songs. If you later in the evening pick seven different flowers from seven different meadows and put the flowers under your pillow you’ll dream about the one you will get married to. Lovely Midsummer, I’m gonna miss you this year. But I’ll be back!
Week’s movie: Do you wanna be happy and laugh, watch Bridesmaids. Hilarious!
Happy Midsummer!
A couple of days late because of trouble with the Internet, but hope all you Swedes had a nice day. More about Midsummer later. Now I’m back in Doncaster after some
nice weeks home in Sweden. The last week at home was filled with a lot of fun with family and friends.
Last weekend, we had a bachelorette party for my older sister, Anna. She’s getting married later this summer. My little sister, some friends to Anna, and myself had prepared a whole day of fun-filled events. We started by surprising her with breakfast in a park in the morning, then we had some competitions, we did fencing, had lunch, went to a spa, had a nice dinner together and finally we had a night out. It was a fantastic day, and I think Anna really enjoyed it. At least she looked like she did!
Last week, I also met some of the girls in the Swedish National Team when they had a friendly game against Mexico in Gothenburg. It was nice to see them, and they seemed to be well prepared for the WWC. I’m looking forward to watch the tournament!
During the break, I’ve finally got an apartment in my hometown. I love to be in my parent’s house and even sleep at my sister's sofas, but it feels good to have my own home when I’m coming back. And even if I am not staying there for a long time, at least all my stuff have somewhere to live now!
Friday the 24th of June all Swedes celebrate Midsummer (Midsommar). Midsummer is almost as big as Christmas and Easter at home. I’m gonna write some information about the day so my international followers know what I’m talking about. Actually it’s weird for me that nobody here in England knows what I’m talking about. Midsummer celebrations are always on a Friday (between the 19th-25th of June). The origin of the celebrations is that the longest day of the year is some day around Midsummer.
Things that you need to have for a perfect Midsummer is new potatoes, herring, strawberries, shots, maypole, and a wreath of flowers. The maypole is covered with flowers and everybody dances around it and sing silly songs. If you later in the evening pick seven different flowers from seven different meadows and put the flowers under your pillow you’ll dream about the one you will get married to. Lovely Midsummer, I’m gonna miss you this year. But I’ll be back!
Week’s movie: Do you wanna be happy and laugh, watch Bridesmaids. Hilarious!
June 13, 2011
Maria Karlsson: Mia Hamm and Women's World Cup
I have been home in Sweden for more than two weeks now, and I having a good time. The sun has been shining over the west coast, and I have spent my time at my parent’s house at the country side, at the sea, or with my sisters and friends in the town. Good time.
My teammate from Doncaster, Kylla, visited me last week and one day we kicked some football at the small pitch next to my parent’s house. And being back on the pitch gave me many nice flashbacks. One of them is from when I was around 10 years old. Me and my younger sister Sofia were at the pitch almost every day juggling and playing games against each other. I won every time (if you ask me), and one day I told my dad that I wanted to practice free kicks, but that was hard without a wall. And of course I was a nice sister and didn’t ask Sofia to be the living wall. Dad, who had a lot of wood at home, helped his two youngest daughters and sawed out a human-shaped wall. And the wood wall was nobody else than Mia Hamm. So I was practicing free kicks over Mia until she burst one day, but she did a good job!
This week we had a bachelorette party for one of my best friends from when I played in Gothenburg; it was a great day with breakfast at a lake, go cart, diving performance, shrimp sandwiches, and a lovely night with nice food and many good friends at a house next to the sea.
It’s around two weeks left to the WWC in Germany. The Swedish team is gathered and will play a game in my home town next week. I’m looking forward to see the girls and wish them all the best.
Maria Karlsson: Mia Hamm and Women's World Cup
I have been home in Sweden for more than two weeks now, and I having a good time. The sun has been shining over the west coast, and I have spent my time at my parent’s house at the country side, at the sea, or with my sisters and friends in the town. Good time.
My teammate from Doncaster, Kylla, visited me last week and one day we kicked some football at the small pitch next to my parent’s house. And being back on the pitch gave me many nice flashbacks. One of them is from when I was around 10 years old. Me and my younger sister Sofia were at the pitch almost every day juggling and playing games against each other. I won every time (if you ask me), and one day I told my dad that I wanted to practice free kicks, but that was hard without a wall. And of course I was a nice sister and didn’t ask Sofia to be the living wall. Dad, who had a lot of wood at home, helped his two youngest daughters and sawed out a human-shaped wall. And the wood wall was nobody else than Mia Hamm. So I was practicing free kicks over Mia until she burst one day, but she did a good job!
This week we had a bachelorette party for one of my best friends from when I played in Gothenburg; it was a great day with breakfast at a lake, go cart, diving performance, shrimp sandwiches, and a lovely night with nice food and many good friends at a house next to the sea.
It’s around two weeks left to the WWC in Germany. The Swedish team is gathered and will play a game in my home town next week. I’m looking forward to see the girls and wish them all the best.
May 29, 2011
Maria Karlsson: Home Sweet Home
I love to travel, to be abroad, meet new people and new cultures, to taste new food and get new experiences, and since January all that has been a big part of my life. I’ve really enjoyed my first four months in England and all the new experiences I’ve had and all new people I’ve met.
Last week, Kylla Sjoman and I were in Barcelona and Rome. It was a lovely week with sun, ice cream, sea, tapas, FC Barcelona, new friends, pizza, Colosseum, and espresso. The foreign girls in Doncaster (Kylla, Aine, and I) have had a good time at Ramada Hotel, but Kylla and I didn’t miss the hotel food when we ate home cooked pasta in Italy. It was lovely! In Barcelona, we watched FC Barcelona’s last home game for the season. The game was average, but the celebrations after were the most amazing I’ve ever seen. More than 70,000 people congratulated the Spanish Champions, and I really look forward to tonight’s Champions League game. I feel prepared after being at both Old Trafford and Camp Nou the last months. I hope we’ll see a well played game between two tactical teams that want to attack.
Last weekend, I landed at the airport in Gothenburg and my older sister Anna and my little nephew William picked me up. It’s nice to be away, but I love the feeling of coming home and meeting my family and friends. At my first night at home we were sitting on the terrace eating BBQ and rhubarb pie and I enjoyed it.
On the break when I’m home, I train with my old team Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC. It was nice to be back in the changing room and meet the girls again. This week I’ve also met my former team Linköping FC, and when I met all the girls again I understood one of the biggest parts of being a football player. The connection you get and how you make friends for life is worth more than a perfect slide tackle or nice goal.
Weeks greeting: to my teammates in Doncaster Rovers Belles. Hope you all doing well during the break. See you soon…
Player of the week: no doubt for me that it’s my former teammate and close friend Lotta Schelin, who won UEFA Women’s Champions League with her team Lyon on Thursday. Absolutely brilliant!
Maria Karlsson: Home Sweet Home
I love to travel, to be abroad, meet new people and new cultures, to taste new food and get new experiences, and since January all that has been a big part of my life. I’ve really enjoyed my first four months in England and all the new experiences I’ve had and all new people I’ve met.
Last week, Kylla Sjoman and I were in Barcelona and Rome. It was a lovely week with sun, ice cream, sea, tapas, FC Barcelona, new friends, pizza, Colosseum, and espresso. The foreign girls in Doncaster (Kylla, Aine, and I) have had a good time at Ramada Hotel, but Kylla and I didn’t miss the hotel food when we ate home cooked pasta in Italy. It was lovely! In Barcelona, we watched FC Barcelona’s last home game for the season. The game was average, but the celebrations after were the most amazing I’ve ever seen. More than 70,000 people congratulated the Spanish Champions, and I really look forward to tonight’s Champions League game. I feel prepared after being at both Old Trafford and Camp Nou the last months. I hope we’ll see a well played game between two tactical teams that want to attack.
Last weekend, I landed at the airport in Gothenburg and my older sister Anna and my little nephew William picked me up. It’s nice to be away, but I love the feeling of coming home and meeting my family and friends. At my first night at home we were sitting on the terrace eating BBQ and rhubarb pie and I enjoyed it.
On the break when I’m home, I train with my old team Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC. It was nice to be back in the changing room and meet the girls again. This week I’ve also met my former team Linköping FC, and when I met all the girls again I understood one of the biggest parts of being a football player. The connection you get and how you make friends for life is worth more than a perfect slide tackle or nice goal.
Weeks greeting: to my teammates in Doncaster Rovers Belles. Hope you all doing well during the break. See you soon…
Player of the week: no doubt for me that it’s my former teammate and close friend Lotta Schelin, who won UEFA Women’s Champions League with her team Lyon on Thursday. Absolutely brilliant!
We have now played seven games, and the first part of the season has passed by far too quickly. My personal opinion is that the league could have been played another three weeks, and then continue after the Women’s World Cup from end of July to October. I know it’s only eight teams, but why not play every team three times instead of two? I like when it’s intense between the games, but the
training suffers, and it’s hard for the clubs to get time to advertise each big game. Especially for our club, which has had three home games in the last eight days. I’m sure that the clubs and the FA have the same goal – that the players, teams and the game should develop. That will bring a bigger crowd to the games and more sponsors and money to the clubs. It would be a win-win situation for all parts. This of course is something that takes time and is a long-term project, and I think that this first season will teach a lot about how the future will look.
After the first seven games, we have seven points. My first thought is that it’s too little. However, given that the league has been tight and we only have seven points that puts us in the same point average as being in fourth place. We have many new players, including myself, in the team this year, and I think that the past few months have been successful in building a strong and powerful team. What we need to work on is our finishing and consistency. Then, Doncaster will be even stronger the second part of the season.
Because of the Women’s World Cup, we now have a long break. I start off my vacation by going to Barcelona and Rome with Kylla Sjoman tomorrow. After that, I’m leaving for Sweden and my home town Gothenburg, and I’m so excited to meet my family and my friends again. I have really enjoyed my first months here in Doncaster, and I’m so happy for all the new people I’ve got to know here. All your helpfulness, kindness, and support means a lot to me.
Thanks also to all the people that support us at our games, both away and at Keepmoat. See you in the end of July!
Week’s hurra! Happy 22nd birthday Aine O’gorman, good luck in Algarve and enjoy your vacation home in Ireland. See you at the Ramada in June!
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I hate to lose, but I’m not a bad loser. There’s a big difference. But I’m definitely a worse blog writer after a loss. So today I’m happy to write this blog after our great and important victory over Liverpool on Wednesday. It was a game when we had decided to fight from the first to the last minute, together, as a team. We created a lot of chances, but still struggled to put away a second and third goal. At least it must be exciting for the audience. Our goalie Helen Alderson, who I feel I should pronounce Andersson, because that’s makes her more Swedish, had a brilliant save off a penalty in the second half and then a great save (for the cameras) in the last minute of the game.
The FA WSL is an even league; every team can beat each other and a lot of games finish with a draw. It makes every victory so important, and the two last games we will do our absolute best to stay in the top half of the table before it’s time for the World Cup break. Today, we play Arsenal at home and on Thursday, Everton. Two fun games to play against two good teams.
I have to use this blog to write some sentences about my biggest and best supporter, my grandpa Bengt Karlsson. He’s 80 years old, lives in Gothenburg, and has been to so many games in my career, from when I started playing when I was seven to last year when he and my grandma visited me in Linköping. And if it wasn’t for his fear of flying, I wouldn’t be surprised if he even came to Doncaster. I almost always talk to him after our games, and he’s blunt and honest about what he thinks about my performance. Besides being a huge supporter to me and my sisters, he’s also a hi-tech old man. We Skype each other many times a week, he texts me and uses Google Translate to read my blog. My grandpa is the best!
Film of the week: Fast & Furious 5. A fantastic film, with a lot of action and some love.
Meeting of the week: I was very happy to meet the famous Swedish manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in Doncaster last weekend.
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The FA WSL is an even league; every team can beat each other and a lot of games finish with a draw. It makes every victory so important, and the two last games we will do our absolute best to stay in the top half of the table before it’s time for the World Cup break. Today, we play Arsenal at home and on Thursday, Everton. Two fun games to play against two good teams.
I have to use this blog to write some sentences about my biggest and best supporter, my grandpa Bengt Karlsson. He’s 80 years old, lives in Gothenburg, and has been to so many games in my career, from when I started playing when I was seven to last year when he and my grandma visited me in Linköping. And if it wasn’t for his fear of flying, I wouldn’t be surprised if he even came to Doncaster. I almost always talk to him after our games, and he’s blunt and honest about what he thinks about my performance. Besides being a huge supporter to me and my sisters, he’s also a hi-tech old man. We Skype each other many times a week, he texts me and uses Google Translate to read my blog. My grandpa is the best!
Film of the week: Fast & Furious 5. A fantastic film, with a lot of action and some love.
Meeting of the week: I was very happy to meet the famous Swedish manager Sven-Göran Eriksson in Doncaster last weekend.
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Every year before the season starts there’s a lot of excitement and anticipation in the air and then suddenly you’re in the midst of everything. The weeks pass quickly and we play game after game. Last weekend we lost our consistency that is so important. We definitely played a game with two halves when we played Chelsea at Keepmoat Stadium. Our first half was good, but in the second we lost our game and Chelsea took advantage.
After our first three games we still have an average start to the season and it’s what we learn from our losses, what we bring from our victories, and how we keep going that counts from now. The two following weeks will show a lot about the teams in FA WSL. Training is fun, but it’s the games your longing for. The next 12 days we have four games and we shall prove that The Belles want to stay in the top half of the table. It’s a cliché, but an important one, that we now need to focus on each game and to start with Bristol away on Sunday.
Now when also Damallsvenskan and WPS are in full swing I try to follow my football friends around the world as much as I can and try to keep up to date with how they’re doing in their different leagues. I certainly follow the teams I played for in Sweden; Kopparbergs Göteborg FC and Linköpings FC and of course my sisters Sofia’s team Jitex BK. And in WPS my friend Caroline Seger in Western NY Flash. Good luck to you all!
Now when I live in England I can’t write this blog without mentioning the huge Royal Wedding. In every newspaper, on every channel, anywhere, everywhere you can find out all you want/need to know about this massive celebration. Actually it’s hard to avoid. So, my best greetings to Prince William and Miss Middleton.
In this week’s blog I will also take the opportunity to thank my hotel buddies Aine O’Gorman and Kylla Sjoman who help me to improve my English. They answer my questions, translate and explain all different words to me. And they have done it for more than three months now, always with a smile. What should I do without you girls?
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After our first three games we still have an average start to the season and it’s what we learn from our losses, what we bring from our victories, and how we keep going that counts from now. The two following weeks will show a lot about the teams in FA WSL. Training is fun, but it’s the games your longing for. The next 12 days we have four games and we shall prove that The Belles want to stay in the top half of the table. It’s a cliché, but an important one, that we now need to focus on each game and to start with Bristol away on Sunday.
Now when also Damallsvenskan and WPS are in full swing I try to follow my football friends around the world as much as I can and try to keep up to date with how they’re doing in their different leagues. I certainly follow the teams I played for in Sweden; Kopparbergs Göteborg FC and Linköpings FC and of course my sisters Sofia’s team Jitex BK. And in WPS my friend Caroline Seger in Western NY Flash. Good luck to you all!
Now when I live in England I can’t write this blog without mentioning the huge Royal Wedding. In every newspaper, on every channel, anywhere, everywhere you can find out all you want/need to know about this massive celebration. Actually it’s hard to avoid. So, my best greetings to Prince William and Miss Middleton.
In this week’s blog I will also take the opportunity to thank my hotel buddies Aine O’Gorman and Kylla Sjoman who help me to improve my English. They answer my questions, translate and explain all different words to me. And they have done it for more than three months now, always with a smile. What should I do without you girls?
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I think everyone who has ever been involved with sports can agree with me that winning is great. The feeling you get when you have three points after a football game is awesome, and it’s even better when it’s after the first game, of a new league, in a historic game for women’s football in England. We came out with three points against Lincoln last week and the goal came, well-deserved, from our experienced midfielder Vicky Exley. It was a great game and a really good team effort. It was all about that game. This week we have two new games. First, we play Everton away on Wednesday, and then Chelsea in our first home game, Easter Sunday. I hope that we can be consistent and have the same buzz as we had last week, and that all our Doncaster fans will be backing us up in the stands.
It means a lot to us to hear your voices (and the bell!) during the whole game and that gives us the extra energy needed to be the best. Thank you!
I continue my sightseeing around England. Last week, Kylla and I took the train to Leeds. It was an OK city, not so much to see, but we did our best and were very cultural. On Saturday, my other hotel buddy and I took the blue, fast Micra to Borehamwood (London) to watch the Women’s Champions League. We watched as Lyon knocked out Arsenal to advance them to the final. It was nice to see the game and even better to meet one of my best friends, Lotta Schelin, who plays for Lyon; she makes me and Gothenburg proud.
Just so you now all my English (and Irish/Canadian/American) friends, you’re always one day behind us Swedes in celebrating. At home we celebrate almost everything one day before you. So on Saturday, Happy Easter everybody, and hope you have a nice Easter Sunday, too … the Belles will! Hope to see you at Keepmoat Stadium 2 p.m.
Weeks c’mon: to Charlotte Bennett who did her ACL some weeks ago. You’ll be back, stronger than ever. We’ll support you!
Dinner of the week: Eating Swedish meatballs in family James garden. Lovely!
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It means a lot to us to hear your voices (and the bell!) during the whole game and that gives us the extra energy needed to be the best. Thank you!
I continue my sightseeing around England. Last week, Kylla and I took the train to Leeds. It was an OK city, not so much to see, but we did our best and were very cultural. On Saturday, my other hotel buddy and I took the blue, fast Micra to Borehamwood (London) to watch the Women’s Champions League. We watched as Lyon knocked out Arsenal to advance them to the final. It was nice to see the game and even better to meet one of my best friends, Lotta Schelin, who plays for Lyon; she makes me and Gothenburg proud.
Just so you now all my English (and Irish/Canadian/American) friends, you’re always one day behind us Swedes in celebrating. At home we celebrate almost everything one day before you. So on Saturday, Happy Easter everybody, and hope you have a nice Easter Sunday, too … the Belles will! Hope to see you at Keepmoat Stadium 2 p.m.
Weeks c’mon: to Charlotte Bennett who did her ACL some weeks ago. You’ll be back, stronger than ever. We’ll support you!
Dinner of the week: Eating Swedish meatballs in family James garden. Lovely!
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There are only three days left to the kickoff for FA WSL now! The Belles had a really good session today in the sun at Balby Carr. We’re buzzing and prepared for the first game against Lincoln away Wednesday night. Can’t wait. A lot of players have improved over the last few weeks, and I will give a special shout for our tall striker Millie, only 17, but give her some time, and with her power and vision, she can be really, really good.
My soulmate and friend Sofia has been in town last week and so has the lovely weather. Both make me happy. It’s almost summer in Doncaster, and I love it. Just being out in the sun wearing shorts and a T-shirt makes this time of the year so wonderful. And every year at this time I wonder how I can live in a country where it’s dark and cold six months of the year. Maybe it’s time for a change.
Now that I am living in a new country for the first time, I feel that I should try to visit as many cities as a can. Last Friday, I went to Nottingham to celebrate our captain Katie Holtham turning 25. On Saturday, I went to Manchester for a presentation for various Swedish building companies. I spoke about my football career, my life abroad, and the new FA WSL. After my presentation, I met Aine and Kylla, and we went to the “theatre of dreams,” Old Trafford, to watch Man U vs. Fulham. An amazing stadium, crowd of 75,300 people, glorious weather, excited kids, and happy families all around. I’ll be back!
Soon it’s bedtime for me. Tomorrow is a bright and early morning. It’s time for the launch of the league at Wembley Stadium. All the ambassadors, managers, FA people, media, the league mascot, the girl band, parade, and so on will be there to kick off FA WSL 2011. Here we go…
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My soulmate and friend Sofia has been in town last week and so has the lovely weather. Both make me happy. It’s almost summer in Doncaster, and I love it. Just being out in the sun wearing shorts and a T-shirt makes this time of the year so wonderful. And every year at this time I wonder how I can live in a country where it’s dark and cold six months of the year. Maybe it’s time for a change.
Now that I am living in a new country for the first time, I feel that I should try to visit as many cities as a can. Last Friday, I went to Nottingham to celebrate our captain Katie Holtham turning 25. On Saturday, I went to Manchester for a presentation for various Swedish building companies. I spoke about my football career, my life abroad, and the new FA WSL. After my presentation, I met Aine and Kylla, and we went to the “theatre of dreams,” Old Trafford, to watch Man U vs. Fulham. An amazing stadium, crowd of 75,300 people, glorious weather, excited kids, and happy families all around. I’ll be back!
Soon it’s bedtime for me. Tomorrow is a bright and early morning. It’s time for the launch of the league at Wembley Stadium. All the ambassadors, managers, FA people, media, the league mascot, the girl band, parade, and so on will be there to kick off FA WSL 2011. Here we go…
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I have had a very eventful week here in Doncaster. My parents came into town, and it was really nice to see them again. I had a great time showing them around Doncaster and having them meet the people I’ve gotten to know here. Unfortunately the weekend did not end very well when we lost against Liverpool in the FA Cup. We didn’t play to our potential, so Liverpool deserved to win this time. Hopefully this will make us hungry for revenge when the league starts. There is only a week and a half left until we play Lincoln, away April 13th.
Aine has been away with the national team this week, so Kylla and I had a week without our Irish friend and driver. Monday this week was an explorer day for us. We started the day with a run around Lake Side, an artificial lake outside town. When I’m here in England I really understand how privileged we are in Sweden with all our lakes and the sea. People look at me strangely when I ask
them where to swim in the summer. Apparently you don’t “go to swim in England.”
After the run, we passed our stadium, Keepmoat, before going to an outlet store next to the “lake” and there we had lunch in the sun. Then we walked to the Racecourse, something that Doncaster is very famous for, and after that we went in to town. For those of you who don’t know the distances, I can tell that there was a seven-hour walk, and we were not home until 8 p.m., an hour later then we first thought because I had forgotten to change my watch to summertime…
Another thing that we have done this week is a fundraising dinner with many companies and people from Doncaster. It was a very nice evening, with a three-course meal, a comedian, and to top it all off, Kylla won a Blackberry phone from an intense game of heads or tails. Through the weekend, we kept busy with football squash, meeting up with our teammate/tour guide Kasia in Sheffield, planning our summer, and so on.
Doncaster song so far: “Someone Like You” by Adele … which I play on repeat all day, every day.
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Aine has been away with the national team this week, so Kylla and I had a week without our Irish friend and driver. Monday this week was an explorer day for us. We started the day with a run around Lake Side, an artificial lake outside town. When I’m here in England I really understand how privileged we are in Sweden with all our lakes and the sea. People look at me strangely when I ask
them where to swim in the summer. Apparently you don’t “go to swim in England.”
After the run, we passed our stadium, Keepmoat, before going to an outlet store next to the “lake” and there we had lunch in the sun. Then we walked to the Racecourse, something that Doncaster is very famous for, and after that we went in to town. For those of you who don’t know the distances, I can tell that there was a seven-hour walk, and we were not home until 8 p.m., an hour later then we first thought because I had forgotten to change my watch to summertime…
Another thing that we have done this week is a fundraising dinner with many companies and people from Doncaster. It was a very nice evening, with a three-course meal, a comedian, and to top it all off, Kylla won a Blackberry phone from an intense game of heads or tails. Through the weekend, we kept busy with football squash, meeting up with our teammate/tour guide Kasia in Sheffield, planning our summer, and so on.
Doncaster song so far: “Someone Like You” by Adele … which I play on repeat all day, every day.
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The draft of this blog was written on a brown paper bag with carrots in it. One day this week between two sessions, I was in town and walked around the big market. It was a lovely spring day with clear blue sky and around 15 degrees. After I bought some fruits and my favorite, caramelized ginger, I sat down on a bench and just enjoyed the moment. I’m not so hi-tech yet that I have an iPhone, but I almost always have a pen in my bag so when I sat there in the sun I started to write this blog. And it struck me how amazing this season is, when everything starts to grow and people come
out of their houses and apartments. I sat on a bench for two hours and the thing that caught my eye most, was all the little children running around. They caught my eye because they looked as if they were discovering the world and viewing things for the first time. And maybe they did?!
To catch the small things every day and sometimes just sit down to watch without doing anything else. I think that’s something that we all can become much better at. A thought from a bench in Doncaster.
On Sunday this weekend we’re playing Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. I’m so excited and have this good feeling in my body. I hope that it will be a really good game and that both us and Liverpool can promote the start of FA WSL in the best way. And the most important, that we can prove to ourselves that we’re good enough to play in the next round. It feels like I have more visitors here in Doncaster than I had when I lived in Linköping home in Sweden. And I like it. This weekend my parents are coming to visit me, and I really look forward to seeing them again. So, my advice to readers of this blog, go out, enjoy the day, and catch the moment.
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out of their houses and apartments. I sat on a bench for two hours and the thing that caught my eye most, was all the little children running around. They caught my eye because they looked as if they were discovering the world and viewing things for the first time. And maybe they did?!
To catch the small things every day and sometimes just sit down to watch without doing anything else. I think that’s something that we all can become much better at. A thought from a bench in Doncaster.
On Sunday this weekend we’re playing Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. I’m so excited and have this good feeling in my body. I hope that it will be a really good game and that both us and Liverpool can promote the start of FA WSL in the best way. And the most important, that we can prove to ourselves that we’re good enough to play in the next round. It feels like I have more visitors here in Doncaster than I had when I lived in Linköping home in Sweden. And I like it. This weekend my parents are coming to visit me, and I really look forward to seeing them again. So, my advice to readers of this blog, go out, enjoy the day, and catch the moment.
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The last week has gone really fast with a lot of fun on the schedule. Since I came to Doncaster in January, March 13 has been the day that I’ve been waiting for. It was the day for our first competitive game, and moreover, Chelsea away in the FA Cup. It was a massive game for us, and it’s always special to start the competitive season after a tough preseason. It’s now where the fun begins.
March 13 was a special day in many ways for me. I can admit that my thoughts on our way to the ground were not only on the game. My little nephew, William, had his baptism this day. I’m his godmother, and I hope he excuses me for not being home in Sweden. Therefore, to win 1-0 felt extra good. So, the day ended perfect.
We beat Chelsea, William enjoyed his baptism, and was happy with his names. Next round, the quarterfinal, we’re playing Liverpool away March 27. Welcome back “Donnie” fans, it was fantastic to see you all in the stands.
I have also had visitors the last week. My aunt Annica has been here for a quick visit. I don’t see her very often so it was nice to meet her, speak some Swedish, and show her Doncaster and my “apartment” at the hotel. This week Mr. K (Khaled El-Ahmad) visited me, and the best with his visit was the introduction of football squash. If you haven’t tried it, you must do it. We played on a squash court, and I have to admit, he was better than me … this time. Aine, Kylla, and I will definitely be regulars at the squash center from now, and all others in Doncaster, who want to join, just let us know!
Week’s “must try”: Sundae ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. Yummy.
Film of the week: Adjustment Bureau. Good film with a good message.
Quote of the week: Charlotte Bennett on our team: “Which team do you support Maria?
Me: “Barcelona.” Charlotte: “Ok, is it a Swedish team?” We wish Charlotte, we wish.
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After this weekend I feel that the subject for the blog is clear. My sister Sofia, who is two years younger then me, came to Doncaster to visit, and it was such a nice time. I have two sisters, Anna who is three years older than me, and Sofia. They are my sisters and also my best friends. It has been lovely to have ‘Fia’ here in Doncaster. It’s hard to imagine that it’s the same sister that I would wrestle and once furiously shoved into the brand new glass shower door when we were kids. Fia’ and I fought and Anna was the mature older sister who cried because we always teased each
other. I think it was the winning instinct which was born then, and I can now imagine how hard it must been for ‘Fia’ to always be the loser when we played football in our basement when we were young. They were tough games, but in one way or another I always won with one goal. Anna and ‘Fia’ are both living in my home town Gothenburg. That’s good for me, who sometimes lives out of a suitcase in their apartments, is like a second home for me. I feel that I can talk with them about everything, even if sometimes they don’t want to hear all I have to say.I know that whatever happens, they will always be there for me, and I feel especially safe because Anna is a nurse and ‘Fia’ is a physio. Lucky me! We have a special connection and I’m really looking forward to see them both again.
Quote of the week: The little lad at a school in Doncaster, who after he heard me speak Swedish and was asked to guess where I am from, smiled big and said: “I know, you’re Japanese!”
Game of the week: Chelsea FC-Doncaster RBS FC, FA-Cup 5th round. Sunday 13th March, 2 p.m.
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other. I think it was the winning instinct which was born then, and I can now imagine how hard it must been for ‘Fia’ to always be the loser when we played football in our basement when we were young. They were tough games, but in one way or another I always won with one goal. Anna and ‘Fia’ are both living in my home town Gothenburg. That’s good for me, who sometimes lives out of a suitcase in their apartments, is like a second home for me. I feel that I can talk with them about everything, even if sometimes they don’t want to hear all I have to say.I know that whatever happens, they will always be there for me, and I feel especially safe because Anna is a nurse and ‘Fia’ is a physio. Lucky me! We have a special connection and I’m really looking forward to see them both again.
Quote of the week: The little lad at a school in Doncaster, who after he heard me speak Swedish and was asked to guess where I am from, smiled big and said: “I know, you’re Japanese!”
Game of the week: Chelsea FC-Doncaster RBS FC, FA-Cup 5th round. Sunday 13th March, 2 p.m.
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Teams spirit and teamwork. These two words mean a lot to me. I really believe in team spirit and teamwork and the cliché that a team never is stronger than the weakest link. Do I think like that because I’m usually not the player who determines games by scoring the winning goal? Did I choose to play a team game like football for that reason? How true is this cliché?
In the entrance at Balby Carr in Doncaster, where my team trains, there’re a lot of pictures with a lot of different messages about sport. One message better than the other, and one of the pictures that I really like has this message: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan.
I’m sure that there are players who don’t agree with this quote. Does that say something about those particular players or about the quote and message it sends? If I was coach for a team and I could choose which players I wanted, some of the most important characteristics I would look for in my players would be those with the best attitude. Along with that players who are dynamic and prepared to work their hardest for the team in every second of the game. But isn’t it a dream for every coach to have players with these personalities and characteristics? I wish and hope that it would be like that, but sometimes through my career I have wondered if that’s the case.
I hope that my team here in Doncaster can show these qualities during this first year in FA WSL. And it would be fantastic to hear the audience say after our games that Doncaster Rovers Belles FC really is a team that works for each other with a brilliant team spirit.
Quote of the week: “Are we in Scotland?” Kylla Sjoman, when we stopped for food on our way to Glasgow.
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In the entrance at Balby Carr in Doncaster, where my team trains, there’re a lot of pictures with a lot of different messages about sport. One message better than the other, and one of the pictures that I really like has this message: “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.” – Michael Jordan.
I’m sure that there are players who don’t agree with this quote. Does that say something about those particular players or about the quote and message it sends? If I was coach for a team and I could choose which players I wanted, some of the most important characteristics I would look for in my players would be those with the best attitude. Along with that players who are dynamic and prepared to work their hardest for the team in every second of the game. But isn’t it a dream for every coach to have players with these personalities and characteristics? I wish and hope that it would be like that, but sometimes through my career I have wondered if that’s the case.
I hope that my team here in Doncaster can show these qualities during this first year in FA WSL. And it would be fantastic to hear the audience say after our games that Doncaster Rovers Belles FC really is a team that works for each other with a brilliant team spirit.
Quote of the week: “Are we in Scotland?” Kylla Sjoman, when we stopped for food on our way to Glasgow.
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Adapt to a smile
One thing that I’ve come to think about after a couple of weeks here in England is how good people adapt to new settings and faces, simply new conditions. And that’s exactly how I feel here in Doncaster. I know that it’s not usual to live at a hotel for one year. But when you know going to do it, it’s just to adapt. And I think we all do it very well! But one thing that I still think will be very hard to adapt to is the left traffic in this country. According to Google, there are only four countries in Europe that drive on the “wrong” side. Why don’t they drive like the rest of us? I am happy when I pass over a cross walk and they have written “look right” or “look left” on the street. That information (and my friends) has saved me a lot of times.
One adaptation that is more interesting to talk about, that I did not expect before arriving, is that the people here are surprisingly nice and friendly. I was out for a long walk yesterday (one thing that only foreigners do, in my teammate Katie’s opinion), and I met about six people who all smiled at me, and some of them even said hello as if we had known each other for a long time. And it’s just the same with the cleaner at the hotel, the owner of the gym, and the woman at the food market. Are people exceptionally nice here in Doncaster, or are Swedes unusually boring?
I love to travel and I always try bring positive cultural traits from the countries that I visit. It can be everything from the cuisine to the behavior. The nice responses and a friendly smiles to people I meet, known and unknown, is definitely something that I will try to bring from England. If you ever go to Doncaster you have to go to Cactus Jack, a lovely restaurant downtown that serves
Texan and Mexican food. Try some of the fajitas!
Word of the week: Brilliant.
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One thing that I’ve come to think about after a couple of weeks here in England is how good people adapt to new settings and faces, simply new conditions. And that’s exactly how I feel here in Doncaster. I know that it’s not usual to live at a hotel for one year. But when you know going to do it, it’s just to adapt. And I think we all do it very well! But one thing that I still think will be very hard to adapt to is the left traffic in this country. According to Google, there are only four countries in Europe that drive on the “wrong” side. Why don’t they drive like the rest of us? I am happy when I pass over a cross walk and they have written “look right” or “look left” on the street. That information (and my friends) has saved me a lot of times.
One adaptation that is more interesting to talk about, that I did not expect before arriving, is that the people here are surprisingly nice and friendly. I was out for a long walk yesterday (one thing that only foreigners do, in my teammate Katie’s opinion), and I met about six people who all smiled at me, and some of them even said hello as if we had known each other for a long time. And it’s just the same with the cleaner at the hotel, the owner of the gym, and the woman at the food market. Are people exceptionally nice here in Doncaster, or are Swedes unusually boring?
I love to travel and I always try bring positive cultural traits from the countries that I visit. It can be everything from the cuisine to the behavior. The nice responses and a friendly smiles to people I meet, known and unknown, is definitely something that I will try to bring from England. If you ever go to Doncaster you have to go to Cactus Jack, a lovely restaurant downtown that serves
Texan and Mexican food. Try some of the fajitas!
Word of the week: Brilliant.
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People who know me well, know that I like organization and structure in my life, so this last week has been heaven for me! Now I have a national insurance number, an English bank account, and last but not least, an English phone number. Feels good! I feel that I’m more and more beginning to get routines here in Doncaster.
I begin to know the surroundings and know more and more people around here. And this week my two teammates/hotel friends Aine O’Gorman and Kylla Sjoman and I went to IKEA in Leeds to make our hotel rooms homier. I got a touch of Sweden in the big yellow and blue store and my friends got a touch of the Swedish meatballs!
Everybody was happy and the plants and the candles look beautiful in my window. Room 229 is actually really nice and cosy now.
Doncaster Rovers Belles FC of 2011 has played its first game together. From my point of view, I think it was a good friendly game for us, and I think it’s so important for us to get as many games together as we can, before the FA Cup game the 13th of March. Many girls are new to the team, but I already think that one of our strengths this year can be our good team spirit and our willingness to work for each other.
This Saturday, Kylla and I went to Bawtry, a small town close to our hotel, for a brunch with our chairman and his wife. It was a lovely brunch, and it was so English! We ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, mushroom, tomato, toast ,and a cup of tea (which I changed to a cappuccino). You almost feel like you’re full all day after a brunch like that. This week I’ve also celebrated my 26th birthday here in Doncaster, and I got the best present I ever received. My family had sent me a digital photo frame with hundreds of pictures. It’s so nice to have it in my room to look at. I also got a lovely birthday song from my team and a delicious cupcake from
Aine and Kylla. Feels like this year is going to be a good year.
Tip of the week: The Fighter, a really good film with a lot of emotions.
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I begin to know the surroundings and know more and more people around here. And this week my two teammates/hotel friends Aine O’Gorman and Kylla Sjoman and I went to IKEA in Leeds to make our hotel rooms homier. I got a touch of Sweden in the big yellow and blue store and my friends got a touch of the Swedish meatballs!
Everybody was happy and the plants and the candles look beautiful in my window. Room 229 is actually really nice and cosy now.
Doncaster Rovers Belles FC of 2011 has played its first game together. From my point of view, I think it was a good friendly game for us, and I think it’s so important for us to get as many games together as we can, before the FA Cup game the 13th of March. Many girls are new to the team, but I already think that one of our strengths this year can be our good team spirit and our willingness to work for each other.
This Saturday, Kylla and I went to Bawtry, a small town close to our hotel, for a brunch with our chairman and his wife. It was a lovely brunch, and it was so English! We ordered scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, mushroom, tomato, toast ,and a cup of tea (which I changed to a cappuccino). You almost feel like you’re full all day after a brunch like that. This week I’ve also celebrated my 26th birthday here in Doncaster, and I got the best present I ever received. My family had sent me a digital photo frame with hundreds of pictures. It’s so nice to have it in my room to look at. I also got a lovely birthday song from my team and a delicious cupcake from
Aine and Kylla. Feels like this year is going to be a good year.
Tip of the week: The Fighter, a really good film with a lot of emotions.
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I’ve now been in Doncaster for more than a week. It has been days full of new impressions and meetings with new people. I’ve switched from a house in Sweden to a hotel room in Doncaster, my family and friends to a new team with new teammates, snow to bare ground, Swedish to English and so on … a totally new situation and I really like it! The first days were a little bit confusing, but all the things here are just what I was searching for, a new challenge for me both on and of the pitch. Of course I miss my family and friends at home, but Skype helps a lot and tonight I celebrated my sister Anna’s birthday online.
The girls on the team are very kind to me and my ‘hotel friends,’ Aine from Ireland, Kylla from Canada, and Lauren from the U.S. (she’s here for a tryout) are really nice and helping me a lot be much better in English. When I’m here I really imagine how important the language is to connect people, and that it really is a key to the society. I think I just have to realize that it takes more than one week until the language flows.
A summary of the last days can sound like this: I’ve eaten Jacked potato with baked beans for the first time, the rating is OK. We’ve been to a military training/bootcamp with the team and did some team building, army training, and a lot of push-ups. I have watched the Swedish men’s national team in handball when they came in fourth place in the World Cup. I went to Birmingham as the senior
ambassador for our club and met ambassadors from the other seven teams. We had a really nice day with a lot of information and media training. Tomorrow we have our first friendly game, and I’m really looking forward to that. So far, so good in Doncaster…
The quote of this week: “You sound like IKEA when you speak” (Vicky Exley).
Three things I’ve learned since I came to England: 1. People are very nice and friendly here. 2. Almost nobody eats vegetables. 3. The FA has big plans for the WSL
