Today we wrap up the 'Forza Football Extra Time' with some more exclusive insights on the three Danish Merseyside stars who we have highlighted the past couple of days.
[The regular women's football news updates will shortly be back following the completion of the ‘Forza Football Extra Time’ theme]
UEFA Women's Nations League.
With Germany's 3-0 win against Denmark on Friday they moved into top spot in Group A3. After five games, the both teams are currently level on points (12 each), but Germany sit top by virtue of their better goal difference.
Only the first-placed side in each group will qualify for the Nations League finals next year, with the top two sides qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.
While Denmark host their Nordic neighbours on Tuesday, Germany travel to face Wales.
When Sofie Lundgaard signed with Liverpool earlier this year, her agent Linus Gunnarsson were pulling all the necessary strings to complete the deal. Linus' big passion is to help footballers develop and reach their full potential and he has played an important part in the three Danish players' careers.
Founded over 20 years back, Global Soccer Management was among the first big agents in Scandinavia and has quickly created one of the best networks in European and African football.
Night or Morning? MORNING
Rich and famous or Rich and unknown? FAMOUS
Passenger or Driver? PASSENGER
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE
Be embarrassed or Be afraid? EMBARRASSED
City or Countryside? CITY
Roommates or Live alone? LIVE ALONE
Lose sleep or Skip a meal? SKIP A MEAL
Reality shows or Documentaries? DOCS.
Smartest person in the world or Richest person in the world? RICHEST
See the future or Change the past? FUTURE
Words or Actions? ACTIONS
Predictability or Excitement? PREDICTABILITY
Success or Happiness? HAPPINESS
Skill or Popularity? POPULARITY
Playlist or Podcast? PLAYLIST
Time machine or Magic wand? TIME MACHINE
Dine in or Dine out? IN
Cooking or Being cooked for? COOKING
"Derby games is always something special. Especially here In Liverpool. Liverpool is a huge football city which you can really feel up to days before the game. This atmosphere will be an experience for all."
Goodison Park will host the Women's Super League Merseyside Derby in the upcoming spring and we hope to see all the three Super Danes in action. A sell-out is expected with almost 40,000 spectators in the stands!
Women's football connoisseur number 1 in Denmark, Amalie Bremer, is exclusively included as a guide on this tour and it will be a weekend full of social events, new friendships and football at its highest level.
The trip goes on sale (around DKK 3,000 / person) as soon as the match kick off is 100% determined.
The first Merseyside derby of the Women's Super League season took place in October when Everton beat Liverpool away 0-1 in front of more than 23,000 spectators at Anfield Stadium.
Sara was not in match squad due to a longer injury break, while Sofie and Karen came in from the beanch in the second half.
"One day I have to visit Thailand. For some reason it has always been a destination that I really think looks nice and inspiring. One of the most memorable place I've already traveled to was Dubai, as the culture is so different from what I’m used to. Also the buildings and so on were just a bit more fancy than everywhere else."
Dreams do come true! In October Sofie Lundgaard played in front of 54,115 spectators at Emirates Stadium when Liverpool won their season opener 0-1 against Arsenal.
If it wouldn't have been football, Sofie likely would have been a handball player instead. When she was younger she played and enjoyed it a lot and loved the atmosphere in the indoor arenas with packed crowds.
"My advice for young girls is to work hard, be dedicated and the key advice is to have the fun and happiness everyday. The fun and the happiness is in my opinion the most powerful thing to become a pro footballer."
"The most important thing for young girls aspiring to become a professional footballer is to have fun and enjoy every time your going to training. Work hard and always have some goals to work towards."
SARA
"Since i began playing professionally, womens football have grown a lot. It’s amazing to see how far we ve come just in the last few years. When i began we were not playing in stadiums, the money was less, no fans at all and our facilities wasn’t that good. Whereas now there are thousands of fans on the games. We have the same facilities as the boys and football is our job now."
KAREN
"Especially the money have grow a lot, we are full time and can live at it. The facilities at the club are much, much better, so overall the landscape have grown a lot the last years which is really nice to be part of."
Everton & Denmark player
Everton & Denmark player
Liverpool & Denmark player
"We hope to see you at Goodison Park in March for the Merseyside derby, or any of our other games with Liverpool, Everton or Denmark. Bye Forza Football users, it was a pleasure!"
Shortly you will find the regular women's football news updates again.
Yesterday we kicked off the 'Forza Football Extra Time' with exclusive insights on three Danish stars, we have more for you today and tomorrow Monday we wrap up it all up.
[Today’s regular news updates you can find below the ‘Forza Football Extra Time’ theme]
Signed with Liverpool in January 2023:
"I’m really proud of signing a contract with Liverpool at the age of 20. My dream has always been to play in England, I just didn't expect to get the opportunity already now."
Everton coach Brian Sørensen upon her signing in August 2022:
"Sara is of the best left-footer’s I’ve seen. She’s clever with her play and reads the game very well."
Everton coach Brian Sørensen upon her signing in August 2022:
"Karen is the physical presence in midfield. She’s a player Evertonians are going to love – she has the qualities they demand from a player."
Sofie Lundgaard teamed up with fellow Liverpool player Taylor Hinds to face teammates Carla Humphrey and Miri Taylor in a volley-style 'Kick Up Challenge', find out who comes out on top!
Sofie Lundgaard
U-16 = 8
U-17 = 13
U-19 = 8
U-23 = 6
Sara Holmgaard
U-16 = 9
U-17 = 10
U-19 = 26
U-23 = 2
A = 10
Karen Holmgaard
U-16 = 9
U-17 = 8
U-19 = 13
U-23 = 1
A = 34
Competing with your identical twin in professional football is certain to throw up some challenges but the sisters insist they have always supported each other's development over the years.
SARA: "Many more positives to being together than cons!"
"We find ourselves naturally competitive with each other as we have the same goals and dreams on the pitch, which can be difficult at times, but at the same time we are also each other’s biggest supporters.
I dont’t think we would have gotten this far in our careers without each other. Football is a tough world with pressure, expectations and injuries. So the fact that i have someone who knows about it all , is one of the best things."
KAREN: "Sara will always be my best buddy."
"We have always had the same goals, and we have been following each other our whole life. Sara has been my workout buddy since I start playing football and she is always good to motivate, challenge me to be the best person on and off the pitch.
We're better when we help each other on and off the pitch. In some periods it's more difficult for me and vice versa, but that's life sometimes."
"As children, we have always competed to be the best and thereby always pushed each other, which has moved us a lot in the positive direction."
Sofie Lundgaard has played four Women's Super League matches so far this season. After signing with The Reds in January this year she played 12 WSL games her first months with the club during the 2022/23 season.
To balance the demands of being a professional athlete with other aspects of your life is not always easy but important. Visit in Liverpool from home means a lot for Sofie Lundgaard:
"For me it’s really important to have friends outside of football as they know me as Sofie, and not football-Sofie."
Sofie and her Liverpool currently sit 5th in the table after eight matchdays with Karen and Sara's Everton six points behind in 8th place. However the twins came victorious out from the first Merseyside derby of the season in October when they won 0-1 away in front of more than 23,000 spectators at Anfield Stadium. Sara was not in match squad following a longer injury break, while Sofie and Karen came in from the beanch in the second half.
The reversed Merseyside derby is gonna take place in the end of March next year and you can be there! Check out the card below and hear from the Danish stars why Liverpool is a great city to travel to:
Women's football connoisseur number 1 in Denmark, Amalie Bremer, is exclusively included as a guide on this tour and it will be a weekend full of social events, new friendships and football at its highest level.
The trip goes on sale (around DKK 3,000 / person) as soon as the match kick off is 100% determined.
"Derby games is always special in England an specially in Liverpool. Really feel Liverpool is a football city. The atmosphere is crazy when it’s a derby week. Walking around the city you can see the red and blue jerseys overall and you can feel that people are excited. The support for us means a lot and the games is really exciting with passion, so why not take a trip to Liverpool to watch the derby."
SOFIE LUNDGAARD:
"I think Liverpool is a really cool city with everything you need. What I really like is the ability to walk to almost everything in and around the city center. There are loads of restaurants, coffee shops, activities etc. The water through the city makes the atmosphere really cosy, which I really like as well."
She doesn't need to have the same shoes on every game as twin sister Sara does, but some superstition seems to be part also in Karen's life as she always need to take on her left shoe before the right pre-game. And if Sara eat porridge before the games, Karen treats herself with it after the games instead, pane cakes are another favourite.
The midfielder's personal goals and hopes outside of football are to become the best version of herself no matter what and the Dane is dreaming of becoming a physio after her football career. When Karen wind down and relax she read good books.
Lose sleep or Skip a meal? SKIP A MEAL
Ambition or Comfort? AMBITION
Reality shows or Documentaries? DOCS.
Smartest person in the world or Richest person in the world? SMARTEST
See the future or Change the past? FUTURE
Words or Actions? ACTIONS
Success or Happiness? HAPPINESS
Playlist or Podcast? PLAYLIST
Roommates or Live alone? LIVE ALONE
Attend a party or Host a party? ATTEND
Night or Morning? NIGHT
Rich and famous or Rich and unknown? FAMOUS
Passenger or Driver? PASSENGER
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE
City or Countryside? CITY
Cooking or Being cooked for? COOKED FOR
One of the most memorable moments Karen Holmgaard has experienced with her teammates off the field was to explore Sydney and Australia at this summer's World Cup. To represent Denmark in front of thousands of people and inspiring so many people, young and old, are very proud moments for Karen who has played 34 caps for her country.
Sofie Lundgaard finishes off tomorrow by giving young aspiring footballers her best advice and also shares with us her best travelling options.
Tomorrow the Holmgaard twins talks about how women's football has evolved since they started playing professionally and what advices they have for any young girls aspiring to become a professional footballer.
Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan also scored in the first of two friendlies against China. The second is set for Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, outside of Dallas.
In the 64th minute of Canada’s win over Australia on Friday night local time, the sold-out crowd finally got what they came to see. Christine Sinclair, for the penultimate time, came onto the pitch to represent her country.
Don’t miss out on the exclusive insights in this 'Extra Time' edition - here in the women's news tab today Saturday, then come back tomorrow Sunday and on the final day Monday for more.
[Today’s regular news updates you can find below the ‘Forza Football Extra Time’ theme]
The Danish international joined Everton with her twin sister Sara in August 2022 on a two-year-deal and made her debut for 'The Toffees' in September 2022, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win over Leicester City. The defensive midfielder grew up in Mid-Jutland [central Denmark region] and excelled in both football and handball during school.
Together with her twin sister Karen, the Danish defender signed from German club Turbine Potsdam following the conclusion of the 2022 EUROs where Sara, alongside her sister, were involved in Denmark's team during the tournament. Sara spent the first half of the 2022/23 season on loan at former club Fortuna Hjørring.
The Danish midfielder joined Liverpool FC in January 2023, moving from Fortuna Hjørring in her homeland. The 21-year-old says about herself that she is a powerful player who also can also defend, get good possession and make a lot of goals. Lundgaard has represented her country at U15, U17 and U19 level.
Earlier this year the young Dane signed for Liverpool: “When I spoke with Russ Fraser and Matt Beard I had no doubt that this club was a good option for me.”
We asked Sofie a couple of 'This or That' questions:
Night or Morning? NIGHT
Passenger or Driver? PASSENGER
Coffee or Tea? COFFEE
Be embarrassed or be afraid? EMBARRASSED
City or Countryside? CITY
Cooking or being cooked for? COOKED FOR
Roommates or live alone? ROOMMATES
Attend a party or host a party? HOST
Lose sleep or skip a meal? SKIP A MEAL
Ambition or Comfort? AMBITION
Reality shows or Documentaries? DOCS.
See the future or Change the past? FUTURE
Time machine or Magic wand? TIME MACHINE
Words or Actions? ACTIONS
Predictability or Excitement? EXCITEMENT
Success or Happiness? HAPPINESS
Playlist or Podcast? PLAYLIST
Dine in or Dine out? IN
UEFA Women's Nations League. Unfortunately for Karen and her Denmark, they not only lost the game but also the top spot in their group which Germany now overtook on better goal difference. In the final round on Tuesday, Denmark will host Iceland while Germany visit Wales, to determine the group winner.
Once the Holmgaard twins step on to a football pitch it becomes relatively easy to tell them apart. While Sara is left-footed and plays in central defence, Karen favours her right foot and anchors midfield but, back in the dressing room, the pair’s similarities far outweigh the differences.
The pair are the first twins to have signed for the Club since Kelly and Vicky Jones who joined Everton in 2012.
The defensive midfielder Karen made her debut in September 2022, coming off the bench in a 1-0 win over Leicester City. Reuniting with boss Brian Sørensen (from former club Fortuna Hjørring), Karen made 24 appearances for the Blues in her first season, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Sara returned from her loan spell (at former club Fortuna Hjørring) at the beginning of 2023, with the pair able to play alongside each other in the Blue colours for the first time in January 2023 in a FA Cup match against Birmingham City.
There is some superstition to it for the Danish Everton defender who always must eat porridge before the games and wear the same shoes on to every game. Listen to some oldies may also help the outcome, especially Whitney Houston's 'Dance with somebody' is a go-to pump-up songs before a big match. After the game Sara treats herself often with fries and a cold coke.
Goodison Park will host the Women's Super League Merseyside Derby in the upcoming spring and we hope to see all the three Super Danes in action. A sell-out is expected with almost 40,000 spectators in the stands!
Women's football connoisseur number 1 in Denmark, Amalie Bremer, is exclusively included as a guide on this tour and it will be a weekend full of social events, new friendships and football at its highest level.
The trip goes on sale (around DKK 3,000 / person) as soon as the match kick off is 100% determined.
Tomorrow Sara and Karen Holmgaard give us their honest opinions on how life as football twins is and we will find out what Karen is superstitious about and what her ambitions after the football career is, among others.
Tomorrow Sofie Lundgaard tells us why we should travel to Liverpool, not only to watch her play, but the reasons the city is so lovely. She also shows us her volley-style challenge skills.
France and Spain booked finals slots as Germany gained a crucial 3-0 win against Denmark and England produced a stirring comeback to beat the Netherlands.
England face one of the biggest challenges of the Sarina Wiegman era on Friday when they come up against Netherlands in a crunch Uefa Women’s Nations League showdown.
The Lionesses have struggled for form since losing the World Cup final back in August and suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Dutch earlier this autumn. (Source: The Independent)
While teams in League A will compete to win their groups and progress to February's finals, which will also act as UEFA's 2024 women's Olympic football tournament qualifiers, promotion and relegation issues are likewise at stake.
England forward Lauren Hemp says it would be "incredible" to win her 50th cap at Wembley Stadium in the Women's Nations League on Friday.
Inter forward Haley Bugeja has eight goals from Malta's four games in the UEFA Women's Nations League, including an eight-minute hat-trick away to Andorra. She found the net in all four matches and is three goals clear of a trio of players, also from League C. (Source: Uefa.com)
Scotland "haven't done themselves justice" in the Women's Nations League, but defender Sophie Howard insists they are "ready to put things right".
With only two UEFA Women's Nations League group stage games remaining, Germany face a must-win match against Denmark in Rostock this Friday if the 2016 Olympic champions are to have any hopes of qualifying for the 2024 edition.
Wales manager Gemma Grainger is hoping a talk from former Wales men's manager Chris Coleman can help her side to avoid Nations League relegation.
Monday night’s match saw no goals at the historic El Volcán stadium in Monterrey, Mexico. The stands were full to watch Tigres lift their sixth Liga MX Femenil title, this time against Club América.