Caroline Seger
Sara Caroline Seger (born 19 March 1985) is a Swedish footballer who plays as a midfielder and club captain for FC Rosengård in the Damallsvenskan league. She is the current captain of the Swedish national football team.
Caroline Seger playing for Sweden in the 2–0 victory against Iceland in Växjö, Sweden in April 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Sara Caroline Seger[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | [2] | 19 March 1985||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Helsingborg, Sweden[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing position(s) | Midfielder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | FC Rosengård | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gantofta IF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1998–2000 | Rydebäck IF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001–2004 | Stattena IF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2004–2009 | Linköpings FC | 139 | (39) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | Philadelphia Independence | 21 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Western New York Flash | 13 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | LdB FC Malmö | 7 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2012–2014 | Tyresö FF | 46 | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014–2016 | Paris Saint-Germain | 37 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2016–2017 | Olympique Lyon | 18 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2017– | FC Rosengård | 35 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2001–2002 | Sweden U17 | 12[4] | (3[4]) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2002–2004 | Sweden U19 | 23[4] | (3[4]) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2005– | Sweden | 204[4] | (28[4]) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Honours
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16 June 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 March 2020 (UTC) |
Club career
Linköpings
An industrious central midfielder, Seger played for Linköpings FC from 2005 to 2009 and served as the club's captain. Linköpings finished in the top four of the Damallsvenskan in four of Seger's five seasons with the team. Their highest finishes were second place in 2008 and first place in 2009. The team also captured the Svenska Cupen on three occasions in 2006, 2008 and 2009.
While playing for Linköpings Seger was honoured as the Damallsvenskan's Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Midfielder of the Year in 2006 and 2009.[5]
After the team finished second and qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League, Seger signed a new one-year contract with Linköpings in the autumn of 2008.[6] She was proud to lead the club to a league and cup "double" in her final campaign with the team. Seger also won the 2009 Diamantbollen, awarded to the year's best Swedish women's soccer player.[7]
Seger's last game for Linköpings was a 2–0 defeat by Duisburg in the 2009–10 UEFA Women's Champions League.[8]
United States
In September 2009, the expansion team Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced their intention[9] to draft Seger with their first pick in the 2009 international draft. In December 2009, she signed a three-year contract with Philadelphia.[10] Her first season with the Independence began in April 2010 and culminated in a 4–0 defeat to FC Gold Pride in the WPS Championship game. Seger scored one goal and posted five assists in her 18 appearances.[11] She underwent surgery on a heel injury after the season.[12]
Seger was traded to Western New York Flash in December 2010 in exchange for draft picks. She joined the franchise in their first season in the WPS and wore the captain's armband.[13] On 14 August 2011 the Seger-led Flash secured the best record in the league, a bye in the playoffs, and played at home for the league championship on 27 August. They beat Seger's former club Philadelphia Independence in the Championship game, 5–4 in PKs after a 1–1 draw.
Seger played just 12 matches for the Flash, as the FIFA Women's World Cup took place during the season. She scored five goals and served one assist. Coach Aaran Lines was very happy with Seger's contribution, but her contract contained a release clause which allowed her to leave for a team outside the United States after one year.[14]
Tyresö FF
In August 2011 Seger announced that she would join LdB FC Malmö on a short-term contract to cover the remainder of the 2011 Damallsvenskan season, although she remained undecided about her subsequent destination.[15] Later that same month it was confirmed that Seger would join Tyresö FF on a two-year deal to start in the 2012 Damallsvenskan season.[16] Her three goals in seven league games helped Malmö secure the 2011 Damallsvenskan title.
Seger collected her third Damallsvenskan title in 2012, after Tyresö's dramatic last day win over Malmö. Madelaine Edlund scored the winning goal after Seger's shot had hit the post.[17] Seger and Tyresö were upset in the final of the Svenska Cupen, by Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC who won 2–1 after extra time.[18] In early 2014 it became clear that Tyresö were in financial difficulty and could not afford to keep Seger and their other leading players.[19]
In May 2014 Seger had been approached by Seattle Reign FC, who had obtained her rights for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and two other American teams had expressed interest. She was also in transfer negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain Féminines.[20]
Paris Saint-Germain
Seger sealed her move to Paris Saint-Germain in June 2014, signing a two-year contract. She left as Tyresö withdrew from the league and released all their players.[21]
Olympique Lyon
On 2 July 2016, Olympique Lyon announced the signing of Seger.[22] In the 2016/17 season Seger helped Lyon win the Division 1 Feminine, the Coupe de France Feminine and the UEFA Women’s Champions League.[23]
FC Rosengård
In 2017 Seger returned to Sweden by joining FC Rosengard in the Damallsvenskan league.[24] She helped Rosengård win the Svenska Cupen Damer and finish second in the league.[25]
International career
Seger made her first appearance for the senior Swedish national team in March 2005; a 2–1 defeat by Germany at that year's Algarve Cup. She intended to score the winning goal at UEFA Women's Euro 2005 in North West England. Although Seger was part of the team, she failed to score as Sweden lost to rivals Norway in extra time of the semi final.[26]
Seger continued to be selected under new coach Thomas Dennerby and was part of the Sweden team surprisingly eliminated in the first round of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. After that failure some experienced players retired and Seger was given a prominent role in the team.[27] In July 2008 she overcame a thigh injury to take her place in the squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[28] In China she participated in the Swedes' 2–0 quarter-final defeat by Germany.
Impressed by Seger's work rate and positive attitude, Dennerby had appointed her as national team captain for a qualifying match with Italy in May 2008, when regular captain Victoria Sandell Svensson was injured.[29] Sandell Svensson retired after Sweden's 3–1 defeat by Norway in the quarter-final of UEFA Women's Euro 2009 and Seger took over as full-time captain.[30]
Seger led Sweden to third place at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. She featured in Sweden's 3–1 semi-final defeat to eventual winners Japan in Frankfurt. Sweden secured third place by beating France 2–1 in Sinsheim, although Seger missed the game with a calf injury. Third place also ensured Sweden's qualification for the 2012 Olympic football tournament in London. Dennerby kept Seger in Sweden's Olympic squad for London,[31] where they lost to France in the quarter-finals.
In October 2012, new national team coach Pia Sundhage decided that Seger and Lotta Schelin would share the captaincy.[32] Sundhage named Seger in the squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2013, which Sweden hosted.[33] Seger was disappointed when Sweden lost 1–0 to Germany in the semi-final.[34]
Seger appeared in all 6 matches for Sweden at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won the Silver Medal after a 2–1 loss to Germany.[35]
Seger became the captain of the National team after Lotta Schelin’s retirement from international football.
Seger led Sweden to the 2019 Women's World Cup hosted in France. On 6 July 2019, Seger played her 200th match with Sweden, facing England. The match was a 2–1 victory for Sweden, giving them third place in the World Cup.[36]
Matches and goals scored at World Cup & Olympic tournaments
Key (expand for notes on “world cup and olympic goals”) | |
---|---|
Location | Geographic location of the venue where the competition occurred |
Lineup | Start – played entire match on minute (off player) – substituted on at the minute indicated, and player was substituted off at the same time off minute (on player) – substituted off at the minute indicated, and player was substituted on at the same time |
Min | The minute in the match the goal was scored. For list that include caps, blank indicates played in the match but did not score a goal. |
Assist/pass | The ball was passed by the player, which assisted in scoring the goal. This column depends on the availability and source of this information. |
penalty or pk | Goal scored on penalty-kick which was awarded due to foul by opponent. (Goals scored in penalty-shoot-out, at the end of a tied match after extra-time, are not included.) |
Score | The match score after the goal was scored. |
Result | The final score. W – match was won |
aet | The score at the end of extra-time; the match was tied at the end of 90' regulation |
pso | Penalty-shoot-out score shown in parenthesis; the match was tied at the end of extra-time |
Orange background color – Olympic women's football tournament | |
Blue background color – FIFA women's world cup final tournament |
Matches and goals scored at European Championship tournaments
Personal life
Seger is an out lesbian, telling QX magazine in December 2013 that she was proud of her girlfriend.[37] In previous years Seger had concealed her orientation, but decided to speak out to be a role model for others.[38] She used to be in a relationship with fellow professional football player Malin Levenstad.[39]
Honours
Club
- Linköpings FC
- Damallsvenskan: Winner 2009
- Svenska Cupen: Winner 2006, 2008, 2009
- Svenska Supercupen: Winner 2009
- Western New York Flash
- Women's Professional Soccer: Winner 2011
- LdB FC Malmö
- Damallsvenskan: Winner 2011
- Svenska Supercupen: Winner 2011
- Tyresö FF
- Damallsvenskan: Winner 2012
- Olympique Lyon
- Division 1 Féminine Winner 2016/2017
- Coupe de France Féminine Winner 2017
- UEFA Women's Champions League 2016–17 Winner
Country
- 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup: Group stage
- 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup: Third place
- 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup: Round of 16
- 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup: Third place
- 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing: Quarter-final
- 2012 Summer Olympics in London: Quarter-final
- 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio: Runner-up
- UEFA Women's Euro 2005: Semi-finals
- UEFA Women's Euro 2009: Quarter-final
- UEFA Women's Euro 2013: Semi-finals
- Algarve Cup (Participated from 2005 to 2015): Winner 2009
- UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship: Semi-finals 2003
- Nordic Cup: Runner-up 2004 [40]
- Nordic Cup: Runner-up 2001, 2002 [41]
Individual
- Sweden Breakthrough Player of the Year; 2005
- Best Swedish Midfielder: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015
- Diamantbollen: 2009
- FIFA Women's World Cup All-Star Team: 2011
- UEFA Squad of the Tournament: UEFA Women's Euro 2013
References
- "Goalscorers" (PDF). UEFA.com. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
- "List of Players - 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- "Profile". Svenska Fotbollförbundet (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- Caps and goals
- "Övriga utmärkelser" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Linköpings Fotboll Club". Linkopingfc.com. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- "Diamantbollen" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
- Agö, Jenny (10 November 2009). "Caroline Seger taggar för en sista vinst" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "BUILDING A TEAM New Philly coach Riley: 'We're starting from scratch. We have nothing to lose'". Bigapplesoccer.com. 4 September 2009. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- "Caroline Seger Officially Signs 3 Year Contract During Visit to Philadelphia | Philadelphia Independence". Wpsphillyindependence.com. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 6 February 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- "Caroline Seger traded from Philadelphia to WNY Flash". Our Game Magazine. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Larsson, Micke (20 June 2011). "Seger kräver 110 procent" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "WNY acquire Caroline Seger; sign USNT Player Yael Averbuch; Western New York Flash". Wnyflash.com. 20 December 2010. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- Di Veronica, Jeff (1 September 2011). "Flash lose Captain Caroline Seger to Swedish team". Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Dutt, Sujay (26 August 2011). "Malmö strengthen with Seger". UEFA. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- Lindmark, Stig (31 August 2011). "Caroline Seger till Tyresö 2012" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Cleris, Johannes (3 November 2012). "Tyresö vann SM-guld efter dramatik" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
- Averbuch, Yael (18 October 2012). "'Small Team With Enormous Heart'". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Edwinsson, Lisa (8 April 2014). "Marta lämnar Tyresö". DN.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 28 April 2014.
- Nilsson, Alva (15 May 2014). "Seger på nytt om PSG-ryktet". Damfotboll.com (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Seger signs for Paris Saint-Germain" (in French). Paris Saint-Germain F.C. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
- "Mercato : Cinq nouvelles joueuses rejoignent l'OL Féminin" (in French). Olympique Lyonnais. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
- "Summary - Feminine Division 1 - France - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Women Soccerway". uk.women.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- http://www.gp.se/sport/fotboll/caroline-seger-till-roseng%C3%A5rd-1.4517725
- "Sweden - C. Seger - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Women Soccerway". uk.women.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
- "Caroline Seger". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Molinaro, John F. (15 June 2011). "Caroline Seger part of Sweden's new generation". CBC Sports. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Dam: Caroline Seger tror på spel i OS" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Kapten Seger redo att segra" (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Bengtsson, Janne (5 September 2009). "Seger ny landslagskapten" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Women's Olympic Football Tournament London 2012 – List of Players Sweden" (PDF). FIFA. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
- "Seger och Schelin nya lagkaptener" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "Sjögran och Hjohlman i Sundhages EM-trupp" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- Gatu, Anja (25 July 2013). "Seger:"Just nu är allt tomt"" (in Swedish). Sydsvenskan. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- "E.Rubensson". Retrieved 4 August 2018.
- "Caroline Segers milstolpe – gör sin 200:e landskamp". aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 6 July 2019.
- Lundgren, Jessica (December 2013). "Seger Ärvår" (PDF) (in Swedish). QX. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Wahlberg, Malin (11 June 2013). "Det tog lång tid att acceptera att det var tjejer jag tände på" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- Sweden Captain Caroline Seger & Malin Levenstad Broke Up ...heavy.com › Sports
- Nordic cup 2004
- Nordic cup 2001 and 2002
- Match reports
- "FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007: MATCH Report: Nigeria - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007: MATCH Report: Sweden - USA: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007: MATCH Report: Korea DPR - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "2008 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: China - Sweden: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2008 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - Argentina: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2008 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - Canada: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2008 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - Germany: Quarter-Finals". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Colombia - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Korea DPR - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011: MATCH Report: Sweden - Australia: Quarter-Finals". FIFA.
- "2012 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - South Africa: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2012 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Japan - Sweden: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2012 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Canada - Sweden: Group Matches". FIFA.
- "2012 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - France: Quarter-Finals". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Sweden - Nigeria: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: MATCH Report: USA - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Australia - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015: MATCH Report: Germany - Sweden: Round of 16". FIFA.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - South Africa: Group match". FIFA.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Brazil - Sweden: Group match". ESPN.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: China - Sweden: Group match". ESPN.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: USA - Sweden: Quarter-Finals". ESPN.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Brazil - Sweden: Semi-Finals". ESPN.
- "2016 Olympic Games: MATCH Report: Sweden - Germany: Gold Medal Match". ESPN.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Chile - Sweden: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Sweden - Thailand: Group matches". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Sweden - USA: Group match". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Sweden - Canada: Round of 16". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Germany - Sweden: Quarter-Finals". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: Netherlands - Sweden: Semi-Finals". FIFA.
- "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019: MATCH Report: England - Sweden: 3rd Place Match". FIFA.
- "2005 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Denmark: Group match". UEFA.
- "2005 European Championship: MATCH Report: England - Sweden: Group match". UEFA.
- "2005 European Championship: MATCH Report: Norway - Sweden: Semi-Finals". UEFA.
- "2009 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Russia: Group match". worldfootball.net.
- "2009 European Championship: MATCH Report: Italy - Sweden: Group match". worldfootball.net.
- "2009 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - England: Group match". worldfootball.net.
- "2009 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Norway: Quarter-finals". worldfootball.net.
- "2013 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Denmark: Group match". UEFA.
- "2013 European Championship: MATCH Report: Finland - Sweden: Group match". UEFA.
- "2013 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Italy: Group match". UEFA.
- "2013 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Iceland: Quarter-Finals". UEFA.
- "2013 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Germany: Semi-Finals". UEFA.
- "2017 European Championship: MATCH Report: Germany - Sweden: Group matches". UEFA.
- "2017 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Russia: Group matches". UEFA.
- "2017 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden - Italy: Group matches". UEFA.
- "2017 European Championship: MATCH Report: Netherlands - Sweden: Quarter-Finals". UEFA.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caroline Seger. |
- Caroline Seger – FIFA competition record
- Caroline Seger – UEFA competition record
- Caroline Seger at SvFF (in Swedish) (archive)
- Caroline Seger club team profile at SvFF (in Swedish) (archive)
- Caroline Seger national team profile at SvFF (in Swedish) (archive)
- Caroline Seger at statsfootofeminin.fr (in French)
- Caroline Seger at Paris Saint-Germain
- Caroline Seger at Philadelphia Independence at the Wayback Machine (archived 8 August 2010)
- Caroline Seger at Linköpings FC (in Swedish)
- Caroline Seger at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- Caroline Seger at Soccerway
- Caroline Seger on Twitter