This weekend, the Swedish women's national team restarts after the international break, where Sweden lost twice to Spain in the Nations League semi-finals.
This means, for example, that Häcken striker Felicia Schröder and Hammarby defender Smilla Holmberg will return to fighting for the Swedish Championship gold instead of collaborating in the national team jersey.
In addition to Schröder and Holmberg, Häcken's Monica Jusu Bah and Jennifer Falk, as well as Malmö FF goalkeeper Moa Öhman, were also included in the latest national team squad.
No wonder then that the gold medal race became a bit of a talking point.
"Yes, I noticed that. I asked a little about the final sprint and realized that I had both Häcken, Malmö and Hammarby players around me, so it was a bit of a sensitive question there and then," says Kosovare Asllani, who lives in London City.
But I think Häcken will take it. They are leading now and have looked strong all year and have good experience.
“Three finals”
Häcken has a four-point lead going into the final three rounds and can decide as early as Sunday – if the other results go the team's way.
However, the fact that the gold could theoretically be ready now is not something that the Hisingslaget is focusing on, claims Felicia Schröder.
"No, we have three games left and they are equally important. It's like three finals. It was the same as when there were five finals left. We have it in our own hands, so we just keep going now," says the 18-year-old.
“Incredibly heavy”
The three top teams – Häcken, Hammarby and Malmö FF – have been closely followed during the season, but Häcken recently had a small boost when the team beat Hammarby 2–0.
That may have been decisive for the gold, Smilla Holmberg fears.
"We've wanted to be up there all the time and our goal for the season was to be up there. Then we knew the game was important. So it was incredibly tough not to win that game," she says.
We are focusing on our own and trying to win our last three games. But it is clear that Häcken is in a good position.
With three rounds left in the Swedish Women's Championship, three teams are still in the fight for gold. However, Häcken has a significant advantage, with a four-point lead over both Hammarby and Malmö FF.
This is how Häcken will take gold this weekend:
In case of victory against Linköping, while Hammarby and Malmö FF lose their matches against IFK Norrköping and Piteå respectively.
The top teams' remaining matches:
Häcken: November 2 Linköping (home), November 8 Djurgården (away), November 16 Piteå (h).
Hammarby: November 2 IFK Norrköping (h), November 7 Alingsås (b), November 16 Brommapojkarna (h).
Malmö FF: November 2 Piteå (h), November 8 IFK Norrköping (b), November 16 Vittsjö (h).
