Another season has passed in the Damallsvenskan. With FC Rosengård almost going invincible and winning the title with four games in hand, they were undeniably the best team of the season.
But who stood out the most individually this year in Sweden? Here are our top three players of the 2024 Damallsvenskan season, ranked by medal places.
Gold: Cathinka Tandberg (Hammarby IF)
It was a signing that took many by surprise when Cathinka Tandberg switched Linköping for Hammarby in the summer. Down on their luck, Linköping lost last season’s top goal scorer to the reigning champions, with the Norwegian quickly showing her worth.
Tandberg went on to score nine goals in 11 league games for Hammarby. Many would agree, though, that her best moment was the winning goal in the dying minutes of a Champions League qualifier against Benfica, which saw the Bajen into their first ever UWCL group stage.
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Tandberg’s powerful right foot sums up her play. Excellent reading and timing means a swing and a hit sees the ball from her foot to the back of the net. That power, paired with her poacher-like mentality, led her into the Norwegian senior national team after a great half-season with Hammarby.
Tall, blonde and strong — she’s every bit the image of the Norwegian great Ada Hegerberg, with some identical finishes in their personal lockers to match, too.
Silver: Momoko Tanikawa (FC Rosengård)
The loan deal between Bayern München and FC Rosengård was some of the smartest business done ahead of the Damallsvenskan season. Momoko Tanikawa left JFA Academy Fukushima in Japan, signing for the German giants before being loaned to Rosengård.
The 19-year-old midfielder made 20 appearances in her loan spell in the Damallsvenskan. She scored 16 goals in the league and registered four assists, making a neat 20 goal contributions in her 20 games.
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In Rosengård’s title-winning season, Tanikawa was key to their success. Her ability to score from across the final third makes her deadly in front of goal. Shooting off her left and right feet, she is tricky and hard to mark. Working out of tight spaces with quick control and tidy footwork, the Japanese international has shone for Rosengård. As she prepares to return to Germany in January, people are certain to see her shine there, too.
Bronze: Hanna Wijk (BK Häcken)
In a summer that saw Häcken lose key players to the Women’s Super League as quickly as anything, Swedish international Hanna Wijk was amongst their best. The 20-year-old was key defensively for Häcken on their way to a second-place finish.
Wijk registered nine assists across the season from the defensive line. She was also impressive in her defensive duties. She had 5.3 interceptions per game, 10.9 balls recovered and an 84 percent accurate passing rate.
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With a lethal right foot, the right-back sends balls into the box with ease and comfort. Young in age but not in game, Wijk is a player with a wealth of talent and an incredible future ahead.
Another season may be over in Sweden, but the talent has been off the charts. With Hammarby the only side making it to the UWCL group stages this time around, one can only hope for an even more exciting and action-packed season to see more eyes falling on the league.
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