Swedish Cup. Women
The Swedish Women's Cup is a premier knockout competition in Swedish women's football, organized by the Swedish Football Association. Featuring top teams from Damallsvenskan, the top flight, alongside lower-division sides, it has run annually since 1982, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of women's soccer in a nation renowned for gender equality in sports. The cup delivers thrilling encounters, upsets, and chances for underdogs to shine against elite clubs.
History and foundation
Launched in 1981, the inaugural edition was won by Jitex from Gothenburg. The 1990s saw Malmö and Uppsala dominate, but Linköpings FC and Umea IK took over in the 2000s, claiming most titles. Memorable moments include Linköpings' 4-0 thrashing of Sundsvall in the 2013 final. The tournament evolved through format changes to align with UEFA standards and has propelled players to the national team, runners-up at the 2020 Olympics.
Tournament format
The format starts with preliminary rounds for lower leagues, followed by Damallsvenskan entries at the round of 16. Quarterfinals and semifinals are two-legged ties, with the final a single match on neutral ground. The 2023/24 edition had 64 teams, running from autumn to spring alongside the league.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking in cup ties. All-time top scorer is Marina Nikko (Jitex, over 30 goals in the 90s). Stars include Kosovare Asllani (Linköpings, 50+ cup goals), Stina Blackstenius (now in the US), and Anna Anvegård, a penalty specialist. It nurtured talents like Fiona Semenya. (1894 chars)