by Tiffany Weimer
Preseason Tournaments
Over the weekend, Weltklasse 2013, an international indoor tournament hosted by “Tus Jöllenbeck” a small club that didn’t participate, took place. Here are all the results from the weekend matches. Throughout the weekend, approximately 2,000 people attended the games. The tournament was dominated by VfL Wolfsburg and Turbine Potsdam, as expected, but ended with a surprising winner: SC 07 Bad Neuenahr.
Only one American participated in the event, on the court for Turbine Potsdam: Alyssa Naeher. (Alex Singer played in a different tournament for Turbine Potsdam over the weekend).
“It was a really fun and unique experience,” said Naeher, Turbine Potsdam’s starting goalkeeper. “Playing an international indoor tournament, with mostly Champions League teams, was high energy with lots of intensity. It was a competitive tournament and different from the usual outdoor games.”
Naeher finished as 3rd top goalkeeper of the tournament behind Almuth Schult (Bad Neuenahr) and Alisa Vetterlein (Wolfsburg).
Turbine and Wolfsburg both brought their first teams and so for a team like Bad Neuenahr (7th place in Fraun-Bundesliga) to finish first, is an impressive feat.
Best Player – Yuki Ogimi (Turbine Potsdam)
Top Scorers – Lucie Vonkova (Sparta Prague) and tied for second Ogimi and Maren Mjelde (Turbine Potsdam)
Final Standings
1. SC 07 Bad Neuenahr
2. VfL Wolfsburg
3. 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
4. AC Sparta Prag
5. Fortuna Hjørring
6. Skovbakken IK
7. FC Zürich
8. FSV Gütersloh 2009
Canadians in Sweden
Last week it was announced that Canadian outside back Marie-Eve Nault signed for KIF Örebro, joining former Canadian Women’s National Team goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe who re-signed for her second year with the team.
Americans in Australia
One of the only leagues currently playing, the Westfield W-League is home to several Americans. Canberra United’s Kristie Mewis, contributing a full 90 minutes, scored her second goal of the season in a 5-1 loss to Brisbane Roar over the weekend.
Jessica McDonald played 90 minutes in Melbourne Victory’s 3-3 tie against the Newcastle Jets. McDonald is currently third in the league in scoring with 7 goals on the season. Melbourne Victory will play in the W-League semifinals against Perth Glory Sunday January 20.