FOTBOLL I MITT HJÄRTA

Welcome to our blog!

2013-01-12T11:30:00.000+01:00

The reason we started this blog was the big adventure of 2008. Azalea BK girls -93 took part in one of the world's major soccer cups: Schwan’s USA Cup in Minneapolis. 24 girls and 9 adults took off for an adventure we will all remember forever. We had a lot to tell from the trip and about the preparations. We keep the blog, even if we don't update it, and hope it will be an inspiration to other teams who are thinking about making a trip like this.

In USA Cup our two teams "Passion" and "Joy" played two tournaments. We won the Medal flight trophy and got fifth in the Trophy flight. We didn't loose one game! The girls stayed in families of local soccer teams in Blaine and Chicago.

Azalea BK girls -93 still plays and are pretty successful, now in the junior series. Find links to the Azalea football club, listen to our single CD "Football in my heart", USA CUP, sponsors and more to the right.

Follow the team below and see earlier posts for more background. As in blogs the time line reads backwards. The adventure begun long time ago!

(earlier posts in Swedish only, sorry)

National goal keeper training!

2009-04-26T10:40:00.011+02:00

This weekend Hedvig Lindahl, goal keeper in the Swedish National team, played against Brasil here in Göteborg and won 3-1. A few days earlier she was in action at Karl Johans torg, our training field. She held a special training for eight goal keepers in Azalea girls -93 and -94!

Hedvig recently moved to Göteborg and Majorna, our part of town, and will function here as an ambassador for her team Göteborg FC. So last Monday Agnes, Elvira, Nathalie, Linnea, Erika, Nicolina, Emmeli och Emilia worked with goal keeper acrobatics and other useful stuff when keeping the penalty area clear (as you can see on the pictures). A supernice soccer night in the best spring weather you can imagine! Hedvig was impressed by our girls good technic skills and gave a small goal keeers homework. Hopefully she can come back later this spring and check us.

Until then we wish to thank her so much for the great lesson!
www.hedviglindahl.se

Let the series begin!

2009-04-13T11:01:00.004+02:00

This year the 93 girls will play two series. We'll team together with the younger -94 girls in the series of Halland, and by ourselves in the highest Göteborg junior series. Name of this team is Azalea/GFF, the series table is HERE...

We will play ten games in this series:
The first on Tuesday 14.4, 18.30 Jitex-Azalea (Frejaplan, konstgräs)
21.4, 19.30 Azalea-Eriksberg (Apelsinplan, konstgräs)
23.4, 19.30 Azalea-Kungälv (Apelsinplan, konstgräs)
3.5, 18.00 Qviding-Azalea (Överåsvallen, konstgräs)
Azalea-Säve (Apelsinplan) - OBS! Flyttas till annan dag!
13.5, 19.00 Ytterby-Azalea (Yttern IP, gräs)
19.5, 19.30 Azalea-Qviding (Heden 3, konstgräs)
28.5, 19.30 Eriksberg-Azalea (Krokängsplan, konstgräs)
8.5, 19.30 Azalea-Jitex (Påvelund, konstgräs)
Kungälv-Azalea (Kongevi) - OBS! Flyttas till annan dag!

Spring, finally

2009-03-15T20:15:00.011+01:00

Still there is a little snow left in the corners but today spring arrived when we met the Alingsås KIK F 93 girls at Valhalla. They played well and won 2-3 but at times we had a good game. Supported by the Azalea -94 girls we've won five out of seven friendly games over the last month. We are getting ready for the series.

cold start

2009-02-20T18:58:00.013+01:00

There is a winter season also for football. Last Tuesday was -8° C (18° F) when we played a friendly game with Säve, at Backavallen. That is really cold and the artificial grass was slippery from the frost. But it was great fun! And we won the game, 4-3. Our goalkeeper did well!

Now the spring season starts with some indoor weekend cups and more friendly games. This year we'll play one series together with the -94 girls.

end of season

2008-12-07T12:40:00.007+01:00

Foto: Per Schillander

This blog has been lazy for a while, sorry. That doesn't mean nothing happened:

The fantastic football year of 2008 is almost over. When we summon up it's the best ever, seen to results. We've won two big cup trophes, USA Cup in Minneapolis and GT Cup in Göteborg. In the Göteborg series we've won over brave and technically skilled teams and was finally in second place in both series, girls 15 and girls 16 years (in the 16-series we won 9 of 12 matches and in the 15-series 12 of 16). And most important of all; we've had so much fun together!

The photos above are from one of the last games in the series, an early autumn game at Öckerö, one of the islands in the archipelago just outside the city. We won and celabrated with a pizza picnic in the sun.

Still a few training sessions left before 2009, see you!

Guld i GT-cupen!

2008-09-23T20:08:00.021+02:00

For the second time this year Azalea -93 girls brought home the gold medal in a big tournament, GT-cupen. The Sunday afternoon final result against Eriksberg was 4-1. That proved that latest result 3-0 certainly was not just a lucky accident.

Totto was chosen the game's best player, cool!

Read an interview with Agnes, captain and goal keeper here.

Irma's mom Lena served awsome chocolate cake for celebration.

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

Read all cup results here.

finally!

2008-09-04T09:40:00.013+02:00

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

To win over Eriksberg seemed for a long time impossible, like a jinx. That changed totally on Tuesday, we scored 3 goals the first 20 minutes, the final result of the game. Parents were equally happy.

Majvallen is a nice field, centrally located in Göteborg on the edge of the huge park Slottskogen. This is also the new address for Azalea since the old club house was sold earlier this year.

Improved results

2008-08-29T11:25:00.018+02:00

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

Results improved after the slow season start, for the latest three games 6-0, 18-0 and 5-0. To follow results in the series, girls 16 click here and and girls 15 here. Right now we are leading and in third place, but there are still many games to e played.

This was a nice late summer evening at Slottskogsvallen, last Wednesday.

celebrating ullevi

2008-08-23T14:07:00.006+02:00

Photo: Cornelia F.

The sports arena Ullevi celebrates 50 years this year. Last Wednesday the Swedish and French National men's teams played a friendly game as part of the jubilee. Azalea BK was invited to manifest youth soccer along with other clubs. It was well worth a little rain and even if Sweden lost 2-3 it was a fun match to watch.

Azalea player in the Swedish National Team!

2008-08-20T18:24:00.001+02:00

Photo: Per Schillander

Our very own Sofia H. will attend the next training camp for the girls 15 Swedish National team in September. She will be the only Göteborg player. Sofia has been an Azalea player since 2000 and we are so very, very proud of her!

F-93 jubilee

2008-08-20T17:48:00.003+02:00

August 16 was a day to celebrate, exactly eight years since the first F-93 training. This is one of the earliest photos in the web archive. 2001, match against Mossen.

A new season started

2008-08-20T11:40:00.010+02:00

We played our first series game for the season last week. Qviding beat us. Maybe we were more like happy house cats than hungry lions, after the successful USA CUP adventure. We had better focus the second half and there will be other chances to fight.

Clever spectators created a nice shelter from the soft rain.

Photo Bibbi Forsman

Great cookies is some comfort after a lost game (and bananas). All parents take turns keeping the "fikabord" filled for the home games. "Apelsinplan" has been our home field this season. The grass is as green as it can be here, perfect.

Norwegian/Swedish jokes

2008-07-28T12:18:00.002+02:00

Click here to read about how our dear neighbours make fun of us (USA Cup blog post). Exactly the same jokes are told the other way around :)

E.R. special

2008-07-27T16:20:00.018+02:00

Here are the photos we didn't dare show moms and dads at home before they could see for themselves all girls are fine:

We happened to be the USA Cup's medical center's most treated team 2008. The staff at the center were incredibly caring and helpful. They took care of knees, feet, stomachs and heads as well as heat stroke, an infected spider bite and an asthma attack. We are all fine now!

This is the board used to keep track of and direct the ambulance cars to different fields. Field L2 "the Swedish field" had visits twice.

Photo: Bibbi Forsman and Pia Dybeck

Record for one day: three pair of crutches for one knee and two feet.

Record for one match: team Passion's quarter final with four players from our team and three from the other. Hope they are all fine too!

Being treated was free, but x-ray, crutches and medicines we had to pay for. Nearest pharmacy most conveniently located at Super Target, where we hang out for lunch anyway.

Welcome home!

2008-07-26T02:54:00.009+02:00

A whole committee of welcoming parents and friends met us at Landvetter airport, happy to have us back again. And we were happy to see them, of course, and glad to show them the trophy.

The girls each got Azalea coloured roses. All coaches and chaperons was presented with other nice prizes by the parents. Anders got the most over all prize of first bringing the idea of going to USA CUP up two years ago.

Saying hello to the families also means saying goodbye to the team. Our trip is over but not our adventure. In August trainings start again and then the series begin again and there are matches and...

Thank you!

2008-07-26T02:33:00.010+02:00

Photo: Bibbi Forsman and Ulf Svensson
-
Last day in Chicago, bags stuffed with the shopping we did now and then over the last days. And the cooler comes to Sweden, maybe it will replace the "fikabord" at games?

But much more important than stuff we bring; we are filled with lovely memories, e-mail addresses to new friends, knowledge of another country, the sense of new flavours. And a trophy, joy and passion for the game of soccer!

To all families, guest players and new friends we met: Thank you for making this trip unforgettable! Thank you for giving of your time and sharing your homes! We are overwhelmed and will keep you dear in our hearts.

Hope we all meet again!

Sight seeing Chicago

2008-07-25T00:40:00.021+02:00

While in Chicago we stayed in families with girls from Team Chicago, in Aurora and Naperville. Again we were overwhelmed by the hospitality that stretches longer than any of us could imagine. Most of all it was nice to meet the family of Julianna, who played with us all week in USA CUP.

Our new families had organized a sightseeing trip for us in Chicago. Early morning rise to take the train down town after the late night in Rolling Meadows, so well worth it. An incredible sunny, happy ride on top of the sightseeing bus and a day we'll never forget. And we managed some shopping that day too...

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

Some of the families met up downtown Naperville for dinner afterwards. Naperville is something else than skyscrapers, a pretty, lively little town with old buildings and green trees. This was our last evening together, we are both homesick and sad to leave, all at once.

International friendly games

2008-07-24T23:25:00.020+02:00

Rolling Meadows Soccer Club organized a whole evening of games and festivities, Monday. We played two games against their U14 and U16 teams. Before they begun was a dignified opening ceremony.

Anders talked about the club and our motto "Passion and Joy"...

...and presented Rolling Meadow's mayor with a Swedish t-shirt and our CD.

The both teams lined up on the field. Players from Julianna's Team Chicago in Naperville filled in so we could play two games.

After that we sang the Swedish national anthem "Du gamla du fria"...

...and a girl from the U16 team, Katie Deger, powerfully sang the American.

Sofia handed the Azalea presents to the U14 team.

After the game we finally took the photo we've been talking about for two weeks but never did: all Azalea girls in their jerseys. It was best we waited though, to win the USA CUP trophy first.

Enormous grills for hamburgers and hot dogs, tasty salads and cakes, yummy, yummy.

The clubs exchanged autographed balls (Emilia is getting more used to writing hers now)

Pia won in the lottery.

And Lizzie had to sign each t-shirt before she left : ( We are going to miss all our American guest players, so much fun playing with you!

This flag was a gift to the Azalea girls from Team Chicago's professional women's team. In 2009 there will be a professional women's league in America again, exciting!

There is a local web article to read more, click here.

Final, part 2

2008-07-24T20:42:00.004+02:00

After the break and a change of field after the heavy rain, the game continued. In spite of the commotion our girls were extremely focused. We really, really wanted to win!

3-0 in half time. Keeper Elvira had magically managed to keep the zero 7 games in a row. That means ALL games played in the Week tournament. An unsaveable free kick in the second half broke the nice suite. Shortly after she was badly kicked on the right shoulder blade. Ebba J bravely replaced her and was tested by the Americans, energized by their goal. She stood up well.

Here the team's other Ebba V awaits the pass where she will soon score our final fourth goal, that set the point to the game. No question marks, 4-1 speaks for itself.

Photo Bibbi Forsman and Per Schillander

Rudbeckianska, the other Swedish team in USA CUP had already that day won their boys 19 championship, congratulations!

Final; tornado warning break

2008-07-24T20:34:00.005+02:00

While the teams warmed up dark clouds had built up over the fields. Only 7.45 minutes into the game shouting sirens was heard all over the center. People in Minnesota know what this means; take shelter fast! We followed, of course. A tornado warning forced all games to be suspended quickest possible.

Team Joy went to nearest building, the ice rink, as did hundreds of people. We spent the next three hours in one locker room after the other, safer and safer. A bit bizarre to be surrounded by ice hockey players in full gear and to be freezing cold for the first time since we arrived here.

We met reporter Lizzy from Kick TV again, now as one of the safety staff.

After we were released from the building we heard two tornadoes had hit the county.

The tournament organization is very safety oriented. A quite sophisticated weather monitor system identifies lightning. Not until 30 minutes after the last lightning within 10 miles games are allowed to restart.

Final, part 1

2008-07-24T19:38:00.023+02:00

Team Joy had a lunch break at Super Target deli as usual after morning games and came back refilled with energy. Families and friends were gathered by the side line to cheer, atmosphere both tense and hopeful.

The final team to meet was Coon Rapids, a team we met already in the group and won over (1-0). Still no reason to relax. A misunderstanding made us start with only ten players! Before the mistake had consequences one more girl was sent out.

But then...

Semi final, Saturday morning

2008-07-24T13:49:00.018+02:00

Team Joy's semi final against EURO Football club was played the morning after a disco that seemed to have done our girls good. Focus,strength , alertness in spite of the early hour. The weather was in our favour too, a clouded sky and cooler than ever before this hot week.

Keeper Elvira had her thumb kicked on, a minor injury that didn't affect her too much.

Azalea girls worked more efficient than any game before, in the second half they even put in an extra gear. Final score 4-0!

Second quarter final Friday: Joy

2008-07-23T16:22:00.014+02:00

Team Joy's quarter final was played late afternoon Friday, just in time to make it to the big disco. Colegios Colombian was the first Latin American team we met here. The jersey of the many Columbian added more colour to the fields.

Joy was pumped up for this game and the possibility of advancement. This game was the definitely their best in the tournament so far, all players more focused than ever. And what result it gave! 2-0 to Azalea.

First warm up and then cool down, this week has been about keeping the balance. Lisa is one of the engaged soccer parents we've met here, brought fresh towels and ice to every game.

By the end of the game, keeper Elvira had to do some more warm up, not much else to do.

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

First quarter final, Friday

2008-07-22T07:18:00.016+02:00

Now we are settled in Chicago, after a long bus ride back from Minneapolis. The bus driver did his first trip on this route and got lost about an hour before we should have arrived. A nice passenger from Chicago guided him right, but we were more than an hour late to meet the families we are staying with here in Aurora, an hour's drive west of Chicago. All waited patiently for us, packed the girls into cars and drove home to get a bunch of tired champions into bed.

Blog catch up (touristing makes updates difficult):

Team Passion's first quarter final against NASA from Georgia on Friday was an even game. After full time result 2-2, ten extra minutes was needed to separate the teams. NASA were happy to score their third and we were out of the tournament, in fifth place. NASA were beaten in the semi final by Saskatchewan ASTA F SK who later won the Trophy flight.

Never have we had such spectator's support as in this game! An excited crowd of families and new friends did all they could for us. We were not happy losing the game, but realize being fifth is really good with the hard competition we've met in the tournament!

Champions of the USA CUP

2008-07-20T06:05:00.003+02:00

Team Passion and Team Joy were both successful in USA CUP. Passion took fifth place in the Trophy flight and today Joy won the Medal flight, after a dramatic and eventful day. We are all so happy and will be back with a full report soon!

Tomorrow is the day to say goodbye to all fantastic families and head back to Chicago.

On Channel 12

2008-07-19T19:50:00.004+02:00

Thursday morning we were taped by Channel 12, local cable TV. It seems like only Americans can see the webcast. From our Swedish computers we can hear it though. To listen to the girls singing and the interviews with Team Passion's Sofia H, Annie and Agnes together with some of the Maplebrook girls whose families we're staying with, click here.

Catch up; Thursday games

2008-07-19T19:20:00.014+02:00

As you might already know, Team Passion and och Joy did both win their groups and made it to the finals, here's what happened their last group games Thursday.

Also on Thursday games were delayed 1,5 hours due to the weather conditions, heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Team Passion played against Centennial Pumas, won 3-1 and performed a school book example of discipline and tactics. The forward work was fantastic, Amanda topped herself and scored twice!

Photos from this game will be filled in later on.

While waiting in the shadow for Team Joy's belated game against Coon Rapids Fire we got to watch a Maplebrook team play the next field.

Our lucky charm, the bird Turdus Azaleii, showed itself to Team Joy before the game.

This game had a lot at stake; a loss would mean early morning rise and a win sleep in for Friday quarter finals. Thus highly motivated, the Joy girls faced the tough resistance and won the game: 1-0. Keeper Elvira should be real proud of herself, not one single goal slipped in behind her confident play during the whole group play, a goal difference of 18-0!

Results for both teams group play is impressing six victories and one tie, with the goal difference 20-2!

Updated results Trophy flight playoff brackets, click here
Updated results Medal flight playoff brackets, click here

Both Joy and Passion group winners

2008-07-18T17:02:00.006+02:00

Team Passion and Team Joy did both sensationally won their groups and made it to the finals:

Team Passion is in this very minute giving the Georgia team NASA an even fight in the quarter final, 1-1 as it stands almost half way in the game.
To see updated info: Trophy flight playoff brackets, click here

In the quarter Team Joy will meet either the Minnesota team NW Kickers or Colombian Colegios Colombian, this afternoon.
Updated info: Medal flight playoff brackets, click here

Results for the teams group play is impressing six victories and one tie, with the goal difference 20-2!

We'll post photos from the games today and yesterday soon as possible, too much excitement here to sit by the computer!

We are on Kick TV

2008-07-18T07:34:00.015+02:00

Now you can watch what happened when Kick TV, the daily video journal of USA CUP, visited us at Northwestern last weekend. Click here!

Another funny media event took place Tuesday, after the games. Azalea coach (and media profile) Harald Treutiger once hosted the world's first Survivor show for Swedish television. It happens so that one of the celebrities visiting USA CUP is Survivor Africa winner and soccer star Ethan Zohn (also cofounder of Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit organization which trains Africa’s professional soccer players to teach children about HIV/AIDS prevention).

Kick TV found out their connection and talked them into doing something together for later broadcasting. Like a friendly competition where the two teams were coached by Ethan and Harald. To watch it click here (July 18).

After the game Ethan wrote some autographs, of course.

You can watch us watch ourselves, click here. And there is more to come...

These teams are hot!

2008-07-18T06:05:00.026+02:00

This morning gave the first chance for a real sleep in since we arrived in this time zone. Team Passion played the early afternoon game on the NSC main arena and won: 3-1 against a local team, Blaine Bobcats.

Captain Agnes had a go ahead from the doctor and was back as keeper. The game was exciting and the team played well before an audience of some hundreds. Team Passion was cheered by a loudly supportive Norwegian team and a bunch of American parents. The short and fast grass added to Team Passions succesful forward attacks.

This game was recorded and is archived at the NTV website, click here. It costs a few dollars.

All afternoon games were delayed due to thunder and lightning over the fields. Team Joy, who played the late afternoon game, took shelter from the heat in the most cooling environment possible, at the Schwans Super icerink.

The schedule was tightened up with shorter breaks between games. Earlier than we were first told we were called to appear at our field. Stress made adrenaline flow and might have added to the energy. The girls made excellent individual performances and won this game too, 3-0 against another Minnesota team, Blaine Wildcats. So far not a loss!

Get to know each other

2008-07-17T15:15:00.009+02:00

Photo: Per Schillander

Catching up with events here is not easy, new things take place every minute. Sunday evening feels like a very long time ago but is only a few days away.

The host families arranged a barbecue for the whole Passion team at the Searle's home (where Emilia and Emmeli stay). It was such a nicely organized introduction of all the girls, the team and the families.

American and Swedish girls were paired up to interview each other and shortly present the other for the whole group. Anders gave a presentation of the Azalea soccer club and gave the background to this trip. Also the coach for Maplebrook Xtreme talked about their good experience of being hosts for an English team last year.

We felt a very warm welcome and got to experience the American barbecue; thank you again, families!

Pumped and ready

2008-07-16T18:31:00.019+02:00

Azalea were pumped this morning and had a good day at the fields. After the first day team Joy and Passion top the standings both in the Trophy and the Medal flight, look here!

Joy scored ten times even: Minneapolis United Rave 2-0 and Champlin Rebels 8-0. The temperature was raising beyond mercy (97 degrees F). That didn't stop the girls from fighting through the whole morning game but some of the Joy girls had to pass next game to cool down.

We get incredible support from the host families and the guest player's parents. Tents, transports, coolers, towels, snacks... and assistance whenever a problem arises. We wouldn't manage without you, that's for sure!

The defenders in Joy made the afternoon game boring for keeper Elvira. Isabelle and Ylva both scored twice and Sofia once. The American girls are a great reinforcement for the team. Julianna, Marinna and Lizzie all scored. Lizzie set the final result, a header goal on a beautiful cross from Sofia. Ebba Viklund's nice number nine was ruled offside.

Team Passion managed an honorable tie 0-0 against Wayzata Inferno, one of the top six ranked team in Minnesota (a state with a population of 5 millions). Passion had a chock start, keeper and captain Agnes was still affected from her previous heat stroke and not allowed to play. Irma replaced phenomenally! Photos from this game will be posted later.

Let the games begin!

2008-07-16T09:12:00.027+02:00

Our Swedish team was very popular.

The other Swedish team, Rudbeckianska skolan from Västerås, has played the tournament several years and won their group. In Sweden they are national school champions. We wish you best of luck with your games!

Teams from 16 countries lined up on the fields before the opening ceremony, Colombia had one of the largest groups, in all ages.

Finally we get to introduce the sixth and final of our American guest players: meet Samantha! The American girls are so valuable to us; without them we wouldn't be enough many to play with both team Passion and Joy. The will double and appear in both teams during the tournament.

We entered the stadium cheered by everybody (but the Norwegian team for some reason?). And our song Football in my heart was played in the ceremony soundtrack!

Some could see better than others. A few celebrities appeared on stage, like Cameroon player Samuel Etó, star striker in Barcelona.

The opening ceremony was a happy, friendly and colourful event. We should have brought loads of Azalea pins, big mistake! So many players wanted to exchange pins and we got many team pins for presents.

All the girls are happy with their families. They were picked up and brought home early after the ceremony to be in good shape for tomorrow's games.

Mall of America

2008-07-16T08:55:00.008+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman

A day off from the soccer fields, in between tournaments. We met up with everybody at Mall of America, the largest place for shopping you can imagine. One could spend days inside and still not have seen it all. There's even an amusement park inside! A few dollars were spent...

One of the rental cars didn't stand the heat in the parking lot and had to be toed away. The adults worried not to make it in time for the USA CUP opening ceremony but got a new car just in time.

Media attention

2008-07-13T22:30:00.005+02:00

Ok, here's one of the things that happened yesterday: USA CUP publishes a daily newspaper, Soccer America Tournament Edition, on their website. Yesterday they made an interview with our team and the girls behind the song "Fotboll i mitt hjärta" (Football in my heart).
Click here to read it!

The interview will soon show also on Kick TV, the videojournal on USA CUP website.

Emilia Slättberg, who wrote the song together with Sara Rivera Olsson, writes the first autograph in her life. (foreigners can buy the CD here, Swedes here)

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

Games played on the largest arenas during the cup will be webcasted by NSC. For only a few dollars you can watch the opening ceremony Monday evening from home! And it seems at least one of our games later this week will be played there too, we'll let you know. Watch live or from the archive, click here to read more.

There is more to come, keep posted...

meet the families

2008-07-13T19:13:00.014+02:00

Early Sunday morning we met the homestay families. We were all a little nervous but they all seemed so nice. Two host teams: Maplebrook Extreme and Fire Trucks. We are so happy to finally meet you!

Life feels a little empty for Swedish parents now...

But there will be time to update the blog with all what happened yesterday!

Byebye Northwestern

2008-07-13T17:18:00.002+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman och Pia Dybeck

Dorm stay at Northwestern University is over. We'll miss the pool and the great food! (and maybe some of the boys)

Emilia and Emmelie packed some typical Swedish presents "knäckebröd" and "kaviar".

How Weekend cup finished

2008-07-13T07:15:00.002+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman and Per Schillander

We were so much better prepared for hot weather today. It was nowhere near yesterday's temperatures.

Both games lost, Passion to Red River Rebels 0-2 and Joy to St Croix Force 1-2. It was a good fight so we don't feel too bad. The weekend was a real good warm-up and now we have a free afternoon and Sunday.

Results from the weekend cup here (we played Girls 14 and Girls 15).

first soccer day

2008-07-12T12:49:00.035+02:00

First taste of Schwan's USA CUP and playing soccer on American grass! The three day Weekend cup started today and we prepared.

It's a twenty minute transport to the National Sports Arena in Blaine outside Minneapolis. We are used to school bus rides now. The premises is fantastic, you'll get to see more from it later this weekend.

The heat was a shock even if still was morning, more was to come...

Azalea Joy and Passion played two games each. Two more American guest players, Katie and Marinna, this morning. First game we met St Paul Blackhawks...

...a team that will visit Gothia Cup next year in company of Bosse Conroy. Some Azalea parents met him when he informed us about USA CUP at a meeting in Göteborg. He is leaving for this year's Gothia Cup with 100 players. Good luck, Blackhawks!

We won the first game. They fought well, 2-1 always brings a good feeling for the first game. You never know, we might see them again next year.

Our teams had to split up because of the schedule. Team Passion prepared with a light lunch, while team Joy went to a cooler place for lunch (you'll see later).

Now things got harder. It was HOT, really HOT. 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Something like 35 degrees Celsius! Together with a strong wind and the humidity it felt like being in a sauna with a fan on, max speed.

Scott, the father of our guest player Lizzie and hero of the day. Heat like this is not to play with. Without his efforts the consequences would have been much worse for our teams. Iced water in coolers, iced towels, a tent for shadow. "I've been here before" he said.

Lizzie, his daughter (to the right) together with Brasilian guest players from left: Julia, Camila, Maria.

The heat beat us and so did Dynamo SC from Illinois, 0-3.

On another field team Passion played against Edina Sting. The heat struck hard there too, keeper Agnes had to be packed in ice to cool down. We lost that game too, 0-1.

Final game of the day against MBSA Atomic Blast. Warming up didn't feel as necessary as usual.

The wind grew even stronger and 7,5 minutes before full time, result still 0-0, the referee suspended the game due to the approaching thunderstorm. Sky was totally clouded by then and the first lightning was the signal to stop the game.

We managed a quick goodbye before rushing for buses and cars, exchanging "You'd better hurry, the weather will be bad. VERY bad." Two hours away from here a tornado hit.

We took shelter inside, together with other teams, before the buses was cleared to leave. The thunderstorm passed us but went on for a long time, magnificent! It was an incredibly long day, more like three normal days.

Foto: Bibbi Forsman o Per Schillander

Arrival at Northwestern campus, Minneapolis

2008-07-11T05:08:00.004+02:00

Breakfast at dawn and a schoolbus ride to Union Station, Chicago

This photo: Herik Benjegård

Departure 7.00 AM, a coach ride almost eight hours long. We traveled from the state of Illinois, through Wisconsin to Minnesota.

Anders and Henrik used the time for tactics.

We stay in dorms at Northwestern University campus. It is all so nicely and well organized.

Julianna, the first of our American guest players, came with us on the bus from Chicago. Welcome to our team!

Dinner at the campus cafeteria: food is great! And well needed, we didn't really get enough to eat today. After dinner there was time for a short training, a dip in the pool and checking in the other teams staying here.

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

Irma is not feeling well, had to see the doctor for her throat problem. These pills will certainly make her well soon!

Follow the yellow tshirt!

2008-07-10T05:47:00.025+02:00

Packed and prepared for a tourist day in Chicago: swimsuit and the hotel's address card just in case...Most of us were awake long before breakfast opened at six o'clock, still having Swedish time in our systems.

Vanessa and her colleagues took us to the train station in Lombard, a 45 minute ride from Chicago city center.

Swedish fish sweets?

First sight of the day: Sears Tower, third tallest building in the world, 110 storeys high. The elevator ride was great fun and the view amazing this clear and sunny day.

Picknick lunch before the bus ride to Oak Beach, for a swim and some rest.

Four persons we gave our CD today:
- The Chicago lady who entered the local CTA bus we were traveling. She was dressed in a t-shirt just like ours! And didn't really see us first, until we cheered her and gave her a big applause. Then she looked up and was she surprised!
- The nice lady who showed us the much quicker underground express bus back to the train station after our swim at Oak Beach.
- The train conductor who found a lost mobile phone of ours on the train and returned it at the Lombard platform when returning to Chicago.
- A photographer at our dinner restaurant who took a group photo and said he would put the picture in the paper (?).

Being a group of 30 people dressed in yellow SWEDEN t-shirts, we did attract some attention on our sight seeing. So many friendly questions, comments and well wishes from all kinds of people, it was an awesome day!

All the missing bags are all back, all parents can relax.

We are here now!

2008-07-09T11:37:00.017+02:00

To all mums and dads at home and to all those who expect us here: we arrived safely, all is well! It's been a long day, look here:

10:00: checked in at Landvetter, Göteborg

12:20: Takeoff for Schiphol, Amsterdam

13:20: After snacks Harald introduced taxfree sale of our CD to our fellow passengers. Thank you for your support!

14:30: Ladies bathroom line after landing in Amsterdam.

this photo: Cornelia F

15:30: Transatlantic flight bound for O'Hare airport Chicago. Eight and a half hours in the air.

00:30 Swedish time, 17.30 PM local time: Arrival. It's HOT!

01:00 Swedish time, 18:00 AM local time: Picked up by our hotel transport, a real American schoolbus!

Photo: Bibbi Forsman

03.30 Swedish time, 8.30 AM local time: Pizza dinner at the hotel for totally exhausted but happy Azalea BK F93 team.

What a day. All went smoothly except for the four bags that went missing. Hopefully they will arrive next evening. Until then, nobody will miss anything.

For tomorrow we plan a trip to the city of Chicago, to Sears Tower and to swim in the lake.

Nu packar vi för USA

2008-07-06T22:46:00.007+02:00

Foto: Bibbi F

Nu är det bara en dag kvar innan vi åker till USA! På tisdag kväll kommer vi fram till Chicago. Vi ska stanna där en dag och se oss omkring innan vi tar bussen till Minneapolis.

Från i fredags (4:e juli, Amerikas nationaldag) och under helgen har vi tränat och spelat ett par träningsmatcher mot Åsa IFs Gothia Cup-lag. Nu är det mycket som ska tänkas på och hinnas med och packas ner. Nya matchställ och overaller, till exempel, snygga!

450 träningar och nya spelare i laget

2008-06-21T14:19:00.010+02:00

Foto Bibbi Forsman

Varje terminsavslutning uppmärksammas varje tjej som kommit upp i ett nytt 50-tal träningar. Amanda K och Sofia H har gjort 450 träningar genom åren i Azalea! Tränare Anders Hansson delar stolt ut alla träningspriser.

Vi har fått namnen på tre amerikanska tjejer som ska förstärka våra lag i USA, jätteroligt! Välkomna till lag Passion och lag Joy! Mary S. från Shorewood nära Minneapolis, Lizzy T. från Algonquin, Illinois och Sami H. från St Louis, Missouri.

kommer ni ihåg hur det var i april?

2008-06-17T22:45:00.007+02:00

foto: Finn

Det är lätt att glömma att det var så här för bara ett par månader sen. Ruddalen i april.

Det står om F-93 på USA CUPs hemsida, läs HÄR.

Vår skiva finns till EM-pris 49 kronor, köp den HÄR. Alla pengar går såklart till resan.

Sommarlov, någon?

2008-06-13T22:20:00.006+02:00

Foto: Bibbi F.

Serien är inte är riktigt slut ännu men det var ändå dags för avslutning för vårterminen på Nya Varvets gulbrända gräsplan igårkväll. En lagom tuff match med max två vuxna i varje lag och mycket fika efteråt.

Flickor 16-serien leder vi och i Flickor 15 ligger vi tvåa efter Eriksberg.

världens bästa fotbollsspelare

2008-06-12T12:25:00.004+02:00

Foto: Ebba H

Under hela våren har f-93-tjejerna varit bollflickor när Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC spelat hemmamatcher. Världens bästa Marta fick skriva massor med autografer när hennes Umeå IK var här.

Ikväll blir det andra matcher, våravslutning med stadsdelsturnering och prisutdelning och inte minst fika, på Nya Varvets gräsplan.

På Hope Solos hemmaplan

2008-06-01T11:59:00.012+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman

Here, at Slottskogsvallen, was the home ground for U.S. national team goal keeper Hope Solo in 2004, when she played for Kopparberg, Göteborg.

Back to Swedish:
Det var HETT igår på Slottskogsvallen, när vi mötte Gårda (8-1).

EM-pris på singeln!

2008-05-29T11:42:00.003+02:00

Nu säljer vi vår singel till EM-specialpris 49:-

Fotboll i mitt hjärta gäller väl alla supportrar!
Du får en glad och dansvänlig fotbollslåt samtidigt som du stödjer vår resa till USA CUP i juli.

Beställ HÄR

49 dagar kvar

2008-05-22T17:32:00.006+02:00

Nu är det bara 49 dagar kvar innan USA Cup startar. Foton från förra årets invigning finns HÄR.

Men vi tänker ändå mest på alla matcher som ska spelas nu, här hemma.
Igårkväll mötte vi Bergum, ikväll Qviding, på måndag Hjuvik och nästa onsdag Torslanda.

Denna vecka blev Fotboll i mitt hjärta nedpetade till andraplatsen på Folkradions lista. Tack ändå, alla som röstat och fortsätt rösta HÄR
Vi kliver gärna upp på första plats igen :)

Maplebrooks Extreme Team

2008-05-12T21:36:00.007+02:00

Maplebrooks Extreme heter laget som kommer att vara våra värdar under USA CUP. Laget med tjejer födda -91-92 finns i nordvästra delen av Minneapolis. Många i deras lag har, precis som i vårt, spelat tillsammans sen de var små. Och de har vunnit i USA Cup två gånger!

Det ska bli jätteroligt att träffa dem, och spännande att jämföra hur det är att vara tjej I USA och i Sverige!

På bilden, bakre raden , från vänster: Kara C, Keelie S. På knä, från vänster: Lindsay M, Emily T, Kelsey A, Bre H, Jessica F, Alyssa S. Sittande, från vänster: Laura B, Lauren L, Z, Brittany H, Lauren S, Brooke K. Främre raden: Jordy L, Jessie I. Saknas på bilden: Amirah M.

pliktadagen

2008-05-10T17:54:00.006+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman

Idag är Pliktadagen, fotbollscup för skolor i Linnéstan och Majorna. Vi är för gamla för den, skollag upp till årskurs 6 spelar med 7-mannalag. Tre tjejer+ tre killar + målvakt i varje lag, som man själv sätter ihop och döper till nåt riktigt bra. Azalea BK arrangerar Pliktadagen varje år.

Det var en härlig dag för fotboll, men inte för Azalea BK F93. Eriksberg spöade oss med 4-0. Vad ska man säga : (

mera skåne

2008-05-08T21:19:00.001+02:00

Foto: Felicia G. Cornelia F. Josefines mamma

Vi gottar oss fortfarande i Cup Syd, samtidigt som vi laddar för en riktig rysare. På lördag möter vi Eriksberg, och det blir ingen lätt match!

Sveriges nya guldgrävare

2008-05-07T18:38:00.013+02:00

Foto: Felicia G. Cornelia F. Josefines mamma

Idag skrev idrottsforum.org om våra USA-planer (halvvägs ned på sidan). De kallar oss "Sveriges nya guldgrävare" : )

Här är fler bilder från den fantastiska Cup Syd-helgen. Bilder från finaldagen är på gång.

Bilder från cup syd

2008-05-06T14:19:00.016+02:00

Foto: Felicia G, Cornelia F, Josefines mamma

Här är några Cup Syd-foton, det kommer mera!

Fotboll i mitt hjärta ligger etta för tredje veckan på Folkradion FM 96,4, TACK alla ni som röstar! Fortsätt gärna rösta här!

Köp skivan här, så hjälper du oss att få ihop pengar till vår USA CUP-resa!

Kanoninsats i Skåne!

2008-05-05T17:07:00.004+02:00

Så här skrev tränaren Anders H. efter Cup Syd-helgen i Skåne:

"Vädret gick från bra till strålande – precis som Azalea-flickornas spel! – när F 93 inledde sköna maj med att åka på cup i Hässleholm. Efter en skaplig, en bra och en inte så bra match på fredagen gick vi tillbaka till vårt trygga 3-2-3-2-system och levererade därefter fyra riktiga kanonmatcher i den stigande värmen. 5-0 mot Höllviken skickade till exempel chockvågor genom hela Skåne.
Efter 3-0 i semi mot Kvarnby blev det final och förlängning mot mycket starka Lödde som med en hel del flax lyckades få 1-1, och sen hade lyckan att missa en gång mindre än Azaleorna i straffsparksskjutandet. Attans också!

Sofia H och Irma KG anslöt heroiskt från götalandslägret på lördagkvällen och höjde spelglädjen ytterligare i slutspelet. 94-flickorna Totto och Tove D gjorde briljanta insatser precis som sina 93-kamrater. Hela försvaret var magnifikt, mittfältet slet och sprang formidabelt och slog eminenta passningar och längst fram är vi bara suveränast!

Dessutom – roligast av allt: Azalea-laget vann Fair Play-priset för trevligaste och sportsligaste uppträdandet!

En grymt bra insats alla 17 flickor! Om åtta veckor tar vi USA!"

Resultat i matcherna här.
(vi håller på att samla ihop bilder från cupen också)

på väg söderut

2008-05-02T09:20:00.002+02:00

Vi spelar cup hela helgen, Cup Syd i Hässleholm. Nästan hundra lag från Sverige, Danmark och Tyskland, det ska bli kul!

Fotboll i mitt hjärta ligger fortfarande etta på Folkradion FM 96,4.
Fortsätt rösta! (högst en gång om dan)

seriematcher och listetta!

2008-04-22T10:41:00.006+02:00

Foto: Ebba J

Seriespelet är igång nu, vi spelar ett par tre matcher i veckan. Här finns tabeller och resultat för den klass vi spelar i, F 16. Igår vann vi stort, 6-0, härligt!

Fotboll i mitt hjärta vann veckans omröstning på Folkradion FM 96,4 , TACK alla som röstade! Fortsätt rösta, vi är med den här veckan också (vi står överst på listan till höger på sidan). Man får rösta högst en gång om dan : )

Vill du stödja vår resa, köp skivan här. Den kostar 93 kronor + porto, alla pengar går till USA-resan.

Kolla på TV!

2008-04-16T20:56:00.007+02:00

Kanal Lokals Göteborgspatrullen kom till releasepartyt för skivan i torsdags, idag visas det på TV.

Eller kolla filmen här!
Kul intervjuer med tjejer och ledare som var på partyt i klubbstugan och så berättas hela bakgrunden till att vi gjort en skiva.

intervjuer med låtskrivarna

2008-04-15T20:31:00.005+02:00

Emilia Slättberg och Sara Rivera Olsson är låtskrivarna till Fotboll i mitt hjärta. Här är en kort intervju med Emilia i Helsingborgs Dagblad igår. På fredag är det en intervju med henne i radions P4 också.

Snart kommer det bilder från releasepartyt och från ÖIS hemmamatch igår, där vår låt spelades i pausen och vi sålde massor med skivor!

skivsläpp - hurra!

2008-04-10T08:58:00.002+02:00

I tisdags började seriespelet, vi vann första matchen med 5-1 hemma på Dalen.

Idag släpps vår skiva, äntligen! och det är releaseparty i Azaleas klubbstuga kl 17-19.

Vi ska sälja singeln själva och en del butiker i Göteborg vill sälja den åt oss, också. Den som inte bor i Göteborg kan ju beställa den här. Singeln kostar 93 kronor + porto. Alla pengar går till USA-resan.

snart är det releaseparty

2008-04-02T09:00:00.007+02:00

Foto: Bibbi Forsman

Skivorna har kommit! Igår skickade vi inbjudningar till journalister och andra. Den 10 april är det releaseparty i Azaleas klubbstuga.

Lyssna på en liten bit av låten och beställ den här! Vi hoppas ju att alla som älskar fotboll gillar låten, och att den drar in pengar till USA-resan.

Mer vinter än på hela vintern

2008-03-24T16:26:00.003+01:00

En av påsklovets tre träningsmatcher är redan inställd, det ser inte så lovande ut för resten...

Mixad och klar!

2008-03-13T18:21:00.012+01:00

cd-fodral foto: Nils Petter Nilsson, GP

Så här ska fodralet till cd:n se ut. Nu är låten "Fotboll i mitt hjärta" färdigmixad och här finns smakprov både på originalversionen och på en remix. Båda ska finnas på cd:n.

Svårt att bestämma vilken som är bäst...

Lyssna på
Fotboll i mitt hjärta
Fotboll i mitt hjärta remix

och på engelska
Football in my heart
Football in my heart remix

Träningsmatcher

2008-03-11T15:38:00.006+01:00

Foto: Sofia D.

Innan seriespelet börjar i april spelar vi träningsmatcher, sex matcher på 20 dagar. Under påsklovet ska det spelas tre matcher mot riktigt bra lag.

Här är bilder från en av senaste matcherna, mot Skepplanda F15, som vi vann. I helgen vann vi också, mot Västers 92-flickor.

Passion & Joy

2008-03-06T09:29:00.006+01:00

I USA CUP kommer vi att delta med två olika lag. Vi ställer upp i mellanklassen (klass 2) och den lägsta klassen (klass 3), det kommer att bli tufft nog!

Laget i mellanklassen heter Azalea Passion, det i lägre klassen Azalea Joy. I Passion-laget spelar de flickor som varit med på flest träningar under våren. Azaleas tjejer är inte tillräckligt många, så vi får fylla på med 3-4 amerikanska flickor i varje lag. Kul!

myckleby cup

2008-02-25T21:47:00.011+01:00

I lördags spelade Azalea F93 inomhuscup i Svanesund på Orust. Laget kom så långt som till final, och efter oavgjort 2-2 avgjordes med straffar. Det blev andra plats, Herrestad var vassare straffläggare, helt enkelt. Och en andraplats kan man också glädjas över.

Det är flera träningsmatcher på gång innan serien börjar i april. Kolla i kalendern vad som är på gång.

Vinter-fotboll

2008-02-10T12:14:00.001+01:00

Vi spelar fotboll året om. I vinter har vi tränat på Dalens grus, men mest på Karl-Johans konstgräs. Träning inomhus också, i år brottning för smidighet och styrka. Seriespelet startar senare i vår, men hela vintern spelar vi cuper och träningsmatcher.

Och futsal! berättar vi mer om sen.

Platinasponsor Swedbank, TACK!

2008-01-31T22:46:00.000+01:00

Swedbank är ny Platinasponsor för resan till USA CUP i sommar. Det betyder att banken har gått in med största möjliga sponsorpaketet. F93-laget säger TACK!

Det blir ett rejält tillskott i reskassan. Och har man fått en sån bra sponsor känns det ju bra när man ska hitta fler...

Läs här om sponsring och hur man kan bidra till resan.

Kontonummer

2008-01-30T23:12:00.000+01:00

Nu finns det ett kontonummer för den som vill stödja vår resa. Kontot heter Fotboll i mitt hjärta ABK-93. Vi tar tacksamt emot stora och små bidrag till reskassan.

Lyssna på låten!

2008-01-22T09:10:00.003+01:00

Foto Harald Treutiger

Här är ett litet smakprov av låten, Fotboll i mitt hjärta
på svenska
på engelska

Hela får ni inte höra förrän singeln släpps i april!

Vi kommer att sälja skivan själva och pengarna går till resan. Den ska gå att få tag på i affärer och på nätet också. Våra sponsorer kommer att få den, självklart.

Fler bilder från inspelningen här.

Varför ända till USA?

2007-12-15T22:05:00.001+01:00

Idén att åka till USA och cupen i Minnesota har funnits sedan förra vintern när Anders Hansson, lagets ledare, väckte tanken.

Laget har varit med i massor av svenska cuper, spelat i Danmark och 2005 i Manchester. Där gick 11-12-åringarna också i skola och bodde hos jämnåriga tjejer.

Anders tänkte att efter det äventyret vill man åka ännu längre! Det finns inte heller så många internationella cuper för tjejer här i Europa. I sommar är det sista året som flickorna får möjlighet att bo hemma hos amerikanska familjer, sedan är de för gamla. Det gör att de kommer att få upplevelser utanför fotbollsplanen också.

Foto Bibbi Forsman

Under tiden som beslutet att verkligen åka vuxit fram, har tjejerna och deras föräldrar gjort olika saker för att få ihop pengar till resan. Vi har sålt lotter och idrottsrabatthäften, plockat papper på tryckeri och städat Slottskogen efter Göteborgsvarvet.

I december sålde vi julbullar, kakor och kola i Haga, på julmarknaden. Arrangörerna var snälla och lät oss få en plats gratis och alla våra goda bullar gick åt!

Gothia Cup juli 2007

2007-12-09T22:59:00.000+01:00

Foto Nils Petter Nilsson, GP

Samma år som laget reste till Manchester, 2005, spelade sig Azalea F 93 sig ända fram till semifinal i Gothia Cup. Det är lagets bästa placering hittills. I somras hade tjejerna stora förväntningar och kände sig taggade, och till att börja med gick det bra men...

Foto Nils Petter Nilsson, GP

...det tog snopet slut redan i sextondelsfinalen, mot ett annat Göteborgslag, Jitex.

Göteborgsposten följde laget, läs artiklarna:
Siktar på guldet
Azaleorna vann i sandstorm
Besvikelsen stor i azalea
Azaleorna vissnade

Se fler bilder här.

Hemmaplan Dalen

2007-12-08T21:40:00.001+01:00

Foto Bibbi Forsman

Dalen, i utkanten av Slottskogen är Azalea BKs hemmaplan. Här har laget tränat och spelat sen 2000 när tjejerna bara var 7-8 år gamla. Och klart vi har en maskot.

Se mer bilder från matcher och cuper här.