LB07 have been superior the entire season and for a long time it has not been a matter of if, but when the Skåne team would secure their place in Damallsvenskan.
It’s not long ago that the team enjoyed a life in the third tier of women’s football in Sweden, but after playing in Division 2 five years ago, they’ve had three seasons in Elitettan, before now moving to Damallsvenskan just 10 years after the merger of Limhamns IF and Bunkeflo IF.
A season of many cheers
While LB07’s promotion was secured with a 3-0 win away against Östersund, it has also come because of their immense form throughout the season. 19 victories in 23 games, and just two losses, shows how good the team has been. The only two other teams that have been close to them this season, Hammarby IF DFF and Växjo DFF, are eight and 11 points behind them, respectively.
Växjo are just one of two teams that have managed to beat LB07 this year, when they emerged victorious in a 4-2 battle back in august. The other team is Kungsbacka DFF.
7-1 and 7-2 wins against the likes of Sundsvalls DFF and Sunnanå SK might look the most impressive on paper, but perhaps the 5-0 against fifth placed Hovås Billdal IF, 4-0 against Holmalunds IF Alingsås and 3-1 against promotion candidates from Växjo is even more impressive.
Key players
The team isn’t lacking in big names. Their captain Mia Persson has been in incredible form this season and has scored 19 goals, two of which came against Östersund in the latest game. Michaela Johnsson has also shown a good goal scoring form and has scored 18 goals.
The two Welin sisters, Anna and Olivia, have both scored 12 goals, while Johanna Ejdelind scored 11. They have potent attacking powers and while Damallsvenskan is tougher, it has to be reassuring that they are not just relying on one player for their goals.
In defence they have bolstered themselves with the former UEFA Women's Champions League winner from Olympique Lyonnais, Sabrina Viguier, who has also enjoyed stints with Kopparsberg/Göteborg FC and Saint Etienne.
The squad is young, but having experienced players like Viguier and Persson is essential in their first season in Damallsvenskan.
Malmö derby awaits
Malmö, despite being Sweden’s third biggest city, has never had two teams in the Damallsvenskan before at the same time. They will next year when both FC Rosengård and LB07 can call themselves Damallsvenskan clubs. In other words, a Malmö derby awaits – something many have looked forward to for some time now.
The two Malmö teams will also clash in the Swedish Cup in November.
The last promotion spot is still up for grabs for two teams
Hammarby and Växjo are the two teams who still have a shot at gaining promotion for Damallsvenskan 2017.
Right now the advantage lies with Hammarby who have a three point lead down to Växjo with three games to go. Hammarby have two away games in a row against Östersunds DFF and Sundsvalls DFF - two teams in the bottom half of the table - while a massive last day game against LB07 awaits, which could be pivotal in securing promotion.
Växjo also have two away games in the next two games. These are against IK Sirius FK and Kungsbacka DFF who are both in the better half of the table, while they will face IFK Kalmar on the final day of the season.