Omg hey hello hi.
I’ve missed this space so much.
Moving, starting my masters and a podcast and a part-time job and a social life have all been factors that have taken priority these past few months. Adding to that, the past few weeks have been extra heated in that way, leaving me fractured (literally) and decimated much like Tottenham’s November injury-and-suspension spell, the consequences of which we’re still dealing with.
In fact, the past two weeks have felt much like that chaotic Chelsea game, sub-plots and all.
I’m still wrapping my head, and heart, around the events that unfolded in the summer. The World Cup was an incredible spectacle, a record-breaking tournament that was full of exciting games and scorelines, captivating narratives and new favourite characters. After the tournament wrapped up, there was no time to breathe as we headed straight into the second part of league action in Sweden and the US. Both Damallsvenskan and the NWSL wrapped up in November in very exciting fashion with suspense all the way to the end. The break was not very long for the other leagues either though, as the English, Scottish, German and Spanish leagues, to name but a few, kicked off in September and the start of October. WELL, Liga F was supposed to kick off but experienced a delayed start to the league season due to the players striking over wage issues, action which eventually saw them successfully raising the minimum wage by 31 percent, from 16,000€ to 21,000€ annually.
The strikes were just another symptom of the energy in Spain at the moment, and the long brewing female football revolution that is unfolding in Spain. It’s been a long time coming, but Luis Rubiales actions at the World Cup final, and his subsequent handling of the whole situation, was the thing that finally brought enough attention to the issues for it to no longer be able to push down, instead causing a complete shakedown of the Spanish football federation.
This will all be discussed AT LENGTH in this newsletter, but if you can’t wait to dig further into this issue I attended an online discussion called The aftermath of the Women's World Cup final: FIFA's and UEFA's responsibility in the Hermoso case? Aptly putting responsibility where it should be. The discussion followed the publishing of FIFA’s full ruling in the Luis Rubiales case, which concluded that Rubiales was in violation of rule 13 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Code. Here’s a good article which breaks the ruling down, including some rather painful witness statements from Jennifer Hermoso. The full video from the online discussion, where this is talked about at length, will come up on the T.M.C. Asser Institute’s youtube page shortly.
A lot of big, legendary names have retired during these past few months. Christine Sinclair. Megan Rapinoe. Marta. Caroline Seger.
Add to that a riveting first Nations League campaign with a lot of exciting games and upsets - the Olympics qualifier is continuing to look tight. However this means that the Arnold Clark cup is cancelled, which is a shame considering the rapid cult status it built among a fraction of the British fans. The prospects of a new Champions League format, as well as the addition of a second international league, is also on the horizon.
Cannot wait to talk about all these things with you. Be patient with me.
The next newsletter is going to look at BK Häcken! The Swedish side have wrapped up their domestic season after a very exciting title run in the last few games, battling it out with Hammarby (and to an extent, Linköping), leaving it all to be decided on goal difference where they lost out on the first place to the Stockholm side. There was no time to hang their heads however, as they quickly had to move onto Europe - where they have left everyone gobsmacked after winning against Paris FC (the team that kicked out Arsenal AND Wolfsburg) and Real Madrid, as well as drawing with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They’re welcoming Chelsea in Gothenburg tomorrow at Bravida Arena, 21:00 local time (available for everyone else to watch on DAZN youtube, for free, as always) and they will do so in front of a sold-out stadium. I’m so hyped!!
Some recs to finish off:
I don’t usually tend to engage too much with all-male football chats, but I really enjoyed this Men in Blazers/John Oliver chat …
This wrap up of the WSL season heading into winter break, featuring a lot of Tottenham. I’m especially obsessed with the Big Ange 🤝 Robert Vilahamn similarities and can’t wait for them both having been given a bit more time, money and a transfer window or two …
Talking about Spurs, I cant stop watching this goal - the build-up play from the back, Martha Thomas, the turnout, the huge pride flag in the corner …
Several exciting football documentaries available at the moment! Always find this interesting as storytelling and getting to know players on several dimensions are crucial when it comes to building the following around the game. Two recent ones are: Under Pressure on netflix about the USWNT, and Step by Step following Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema as they recover from their ACL injuries.