Dropping into Elitettan had reversed the fortunes of Freja Holm early in the rookie manager’s career. Having won one out of seven top-tier games, the 35-year-old Swede had led Alingsås IF to an unbeaten start 11 games into her first full season.
Alingsås picked up where they left off after a month-long summer break, with centre back Ellen Andersson and winger Alma Öberg earning a 2-0 win at home to Elfsborg. Brazilian striker Carol Baiana bagged consecutive braces to rescue a point at Sandvikens and edge a 3-2 win at home to Jitex and got the opener, as well as hitting the post three times, in a 2-1 win at home to Uppsala, which moved her side 8 points clear at the top.
Impressive winger Ina Österlind stole the show with the opener and an assist for Baiana in a 3-0 win at Sunnåna, in which they lost midfielder Anaís Alvárez to a hamstring strain. Without her, they struggled a little as Öberg got the opener in a 1-1 with local rivals Göteborg, before Baiana stepped up with a hat trick to inspire a 3-2 win at Trelleborgs. And that set a new Elitettan record of 18 games unbeaten. They extended that record with Baiana, a rare goal by midfielder Rebecca Cameras and Baiana’s late winner edging a 3-2 at Örebro, a game that very much typified recent games.
Alingsås Close In On Promotion
That win kept Alingsås 10 points clear at the top and 12 clear of AIK in 3rd place, with two teams gaining automatic promotion. A huge game was up next as unbeaten Alingsås entertained AIK, who hadn’t lost in 11 games, and former striker Karin Lundin. An entertaining but tight clash was decided by Holm’s tactical switch, throwing on an extra striker and bringing on winger Tilde Karlsson, who got in down the left and crossed for Baiana to score the only goal on 79 minutes.
Baiana’s late goal moved Alingsås 15 points clear of AIK, virtually guaranteeing promotion. However, the unbeaten campaign came crashing to an end with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Eskilstuna, despite having 20 shots to 10. Álvarez returned at home to bottom side Tyresö with an opportunity to gain promotion on the line. She didn’t take long to get involved, passing wide to Österlind, who sent a high cross into the box for Baiana to send a sensational header over the goalkeeper. Alingsås absolutely dominated, racking up 13 shots inside half an hour, and eventually doubled the lead as Österlind headed in and crossed for Öberg to do the same. At the same time, AIK lost 2-1 at home to Eskilstunda, and that was enough to secure promotion!
A week later, they ravelled to Mallbackens and cruised to a 3-0 win led by Baiana’s early goal and an unlikely double from right back Josefin Baudou. And that win secured the Elitettan title for Alingsås ! Not only that, amusingly, it also secured Holm’s place as one of the top 10 Swedish female managers.
Alingsås wrapped up the season with a 4-1 crushing of Holm’s hometown club before the same result at Elfsborg dented their promotion hopes. A fan day against Sandvikens saw them conclude with another thrilling 4-1 win led by Cameras’ 30-yard thunderbolt and two Baudou assists that would hopefully attract more fans for next season.
That saw Alingsås win the league at a canter, finishing on 69 points after 22 wins, 3 draws and just 1 defeat, 20 points clear of AIK. They were the top scorers with 72 goals and had the best defence with 23 conceded. Baiana was easily the best player in the league with 30 goals, 12 more than anyone else, and a 7.84 average rating. While Österlind led the league with 18 assists and Tea Olin topped the clean sheets with 10. And Holm deservedly won Manager of the Year.
Holm Leads To Immediate Promotion
Freja Holm was delighted to achieved promotion at the first time of asking in a dominant Elitettan campaign that starkly portrayed the gap between the two Swedish tiers. Baiana had been a revelation with 30 goals in 26 games, along with Öberg’s 14 goals and 7 assists, Österlind’s 9 goals and club high 18 assits and Álvarez’s 6 goals and 9 assists.
Off the pitch, Holm secured her Continental C licence and began studying for the Continental B in November. However, she knew she had a tough task on her hands if she was to strengthen the squad for a shot at surviving in the step up to Damallsvenskan in her first full campaign in the top tier.
Could Holm build a squad capable of surviving in Sweden’s top tier? Join us on Wednesday to find out!
Football Manager Addict 
Leave a comment