Swedish Championship. Division 1. Women
The Swedish Women's Division 1 Championship (Damettan) stands as the second-tier league in Swedish women's football, a crucial stepping stone for ambitious clubs aiming to ascend to the elite Damallsvenskan. It features fierce regional rivalries, tactical battles, and emerging talents from across Sweden, where teams balance competitive edge with youth development and infrastructure growth.
History and foundation
Evolving from regional tournaments in the 1980s amid Sweden's women's football boom, Damettan took its current three-group structure in 2006 post-reform. Milestones include AIK and Linköpings FC's early dominance, and dramatic promotions like Vittsjö GIK's 2019 playoff triumph. A quirky note: the 2020 pandemic shortened the season, yet playoff intrigue remained. As a women's football pioneer, Sweden views Damettan as a talent forge for its national team, silver medalists at multiple World Cups.
Tournament format
Divided into three regional divisions (Norra, Södra, Mellersta) with 12–14 teams each, the season runs April to November in a double round-robin format. Group winners earn promotion to Damallsvenskan or playoffs; bottom teams face relegation to Division 2. This setup fosters tight races, with away wins averaging 1.1 points per game.
Interesting facts
Known for goal-fests, Damettan averages 3.2 goals per match, spiking to 4+ in derbies. Top scorers include Stella Steinjøhus (50+ goals for AIK) and Julia Rodenberg's hat-tricks. Standouts: Emma Jansson's dribbles for Vittsjö, Clara Backer's 85% save rate for Eskilstuna in 2022, and Pontus Jarde now in the national team. Scouts flock here for future Damallsvenskan stars; current leaders from Limhamn Bunkeflo shine.