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Caroline Seger

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Caroline Seger
Seger playing for Sweden in 2013
Personal information
Full name Sara Caroline Seger[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-19) 19 March 1985 (age 39)[2]
Place of birth Helsingborg, Sweden[3]
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
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 Lyon 18 (0)
2017–2024 FC Rosengård 112 (14)
International career‡
2001–2002 Sweden U17 12[4] (3[4])
2002–2004 Sweden U19 23[4] (3[4])
2005–2023 Sweden 240[4] (32[4])
Medal record
Women's soccer
Representing  Sweden
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo Team
FIFA Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Germany Team
Bronze medal – third place 2019 France Team
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Australia Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21 February 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5:59, 21 February 2024 (UTC)

Sara Caroline Seger (born 19 March 1985) is a Swedish former footballer who played as a midfielder and club captain for Damallsvenskan club FC Rosengård.[5] She was the long-standing captain of the Swedish national football team until she announced her retirement from international football in December 2023.[6] At 240 caps, Seger is the most capped player in Europe, male or female.[7][8]

Club career

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Linköping

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An industrious central midfielder, Seger played for Linköpings FC from 2005 to 2009 and served as the club's captain. Linköping 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 Linköping, Seger was honoured as the Damallsvenskan's Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Midfielder of the Year in 2006 and 2009.[9]

Seger in October 2007

After the team finished second and qualified for the UEFA Women's Champions League, Seger signed a new one-year contract with Linköping in the autumn of 2008.[10] 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.[11]

Seger's last game for Linköping was a 2–0 defeat by Duisburg in the 2009–10 UEFA Women's Champions League.[12]

United States

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In September 2009, the expansion team Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) announced their intention[13] to draft Seger with their first pick in the 2009 international draft. In December 2009, she signed a three-year contract with Philadelphia.[14] 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.[15] She underwent surgery on a heel injury after the season.[16]

Seger (9) in the 2011 WPS Championship

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.[17] 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.[18]

Tyresö FF

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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.[19] 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.[20] Her three goals in seven league games helped Malmö secure the 2011 Damallsvenskan title.

Seger playing for Tyresö in 2013

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.[21] Seger and Tyresö were upset in the final of the Svenska Cupen, by Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC who won 2–1 after extra time.[22] In early 2014 it became clear that Tyresö were in financial difficulty and could not afford to keep Seger and their other leading players.[23]

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.[24]

Paris Saint-Germain

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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.[25]

Olympique Lyon

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On 2 July 2016, Lyon announced the signing of Seger.[26] 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.[27]

FC Rosengård

[edit]

In 2017 Seger returned to Sweden by joining FC Rosengård in the Damallsvenskan league.[28] She helped Rosengård win the Svenska Cupen Damer and finish second in the league.[29] On saturday November 9, 2024 she played the last game of her career, as Resengard beat Djurgården 3–0. At the end of the game the whole crowd gave her a standing ovation for her outstanding football career.[30]

International career

[edit]

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.[31]

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.[32] In July 2008 she overcame a thigh injury to take her place in the squad for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[33] In China she participated in the Swedes' 2–0 quarter-final defeat by Germany.

Captaining Sweden in World Cup 2011

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.[34] 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.[35]

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,[36] 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.[37] Sundhage named Seger in the squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2013, which Sweden hosted.[38] Seger was disappointed when Sweden lost 1–0 to Germany in the semi-final.[39]

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.[40]

Seger became the sole captain of the National team after Lotta Schelin’s retirement from international football.

Seger led Sweden to the 2019 FIFA 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.[41]

On 13 June 2023, she was included in the 23-player squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[42] At the end of that year, on December 2023 she announced her retirement due to her struggle with a calf injury.[30]

Personal life

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Seger is an out lesbian, telling QX magazine in December 2013 that she was proud of her girlfriend.[43] In previous years Seger had concealed her orientation, but decided to speak out to be a role model for others.[44] She used to be in a relationship with fellow professional football player Malin Levenstad.[45]

Career statistics

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International

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Scores and results list Sweden's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Seger goal.
List of international goals scored by Caroline Seger
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 13 March 2005 Loulé, Portugal  Norway 1–0 1–1 2005 Algarve Cup [46]
2 18 June 2006 Minsk, Belarus  Belarus 3–0 6–0 2007 World Cup qualification
3 5 May 2007 Trento, Italy  Italy 1–0 2–0 Euro 2009 qualifying [47]
4 8 November 2007 Viborg, Denmark  Denmark 3–1 4–2 2008 Olympic play-off [48]
5 25 August 2009 Turku, Finland  Russia 3–0 3–0 UEFA Women's Euro 2009 [49]
6 24 October 2009 Baku, Azerbaijan  Azerbaijan 1–0 3–0 2011 World Cup qualification [50]
7 3–0
8 28 October 2009 Heverlee, Belgium  Belgium 1–0 4–1 2011 World Cup qualification [51]
9 2–0
10 23 June 2010 Gothenburg, Sweden  Azerbaijan 5–0 17–0 2011 World Cup qualification [52]
11 7–0
12 21 August 2010 Prague, Czech Republic  Czech Republic 1–0 1–0 2011 World Cup qualification [53]
13 31 March 2012 Malmö, Sweden  Canada 1–0 3–1 Friendly
14 4 July 2013 Ljungskile, Sweden  England 3–1 4–1 Friendly
15 21 September 2013 Malmö, Sweden  Poland 1–0 2–0 2015 World Cup qualification [54]
16 8 May 2014 Växjö, Sweden  Northern Ireland 2–0 3–0 2015 World Cup qualification [55]
17 14 June 2014 Motherwell, Scotland  Scotland 1–0 3–1 2015 World Cup qualification [56]
18 19 June 2014 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands  Faroe Islands 1–0 5–0 2015 World Cup qualification [57]
19 4 March 2015 Vila Real de Santo António, Portugal  Germany 1–2 4–2 2015 Algarve Cup
20 3–2
21 8 April 2015 Stockholm, Sweden  Denmark 3–2 3–3 Friendly [58]
22 27 October 2015 Gothenburg, Sweden  Denmark 1–0 1–0 Euro 2017 qualifying
23 5 March 2016 Rotterdam, Netherlands  Switzerland 1–0 1–0 2016 Olympic Qualifying
24 13 June 2017 Växjö, Sweden  Scotland 1–0 1–0 Friendly
25 24 October 2017 Borås, Sweden  Hungary 4–0 5–0 2019 World Cup qualification
26 5 April 2018 Szombathely, Hungary  Hungary 1–0 4–1 2019 World Cup qualification
27 6 April 2019 Stockholm, Sweden  Germany 1–2 1–2 Friendly [59]
28 3 September 2019 Liepāja, Latvia  Latvia 3–1 4–1 Euro 2022 qualifying
29 13 April 2021 Łódź, Poland  Poland 3–2 4–2 Friendly [60]
30 21 September 2021 Gothenburg, Sweden  Georgia 3–0 4–0 2023 World Cup qualification [61]
31 4–0
32 23 February 2022 Lagos, Portugal  Italy 1–1 1–1
(p 6–5) 		2022 Algarve Cup [62]

Honours

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Seger playing her first game for new coach Pia Sundhage at Växjö's Myresjöhus Arena

Linköpings FC

Western New York Flash

LdB FC Malmö

Tyresö FF

Olympique Lyon

Rosengard

Sweden

Sweden U19

  • Nordic Cup: runner-up 2004[66]

Sweden U17

  • Nordic Cup: runner-up 2001, 2002[67]

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Goalscorers" (PDF). UEFA. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  2. ^ a b "List of Players – 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Profile". Svenska Fotbollförbundet (in Swedish). Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Caroline Seger – Spelarstatistik" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  5. ^ https://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/a/PpOwv0/damalllsvenskan-caroline-seger-avslutar-karriaren-hyllades
  6. ^ "Caroline Seger announces retirement from Swedish national team". The Athletic. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  7. ^ "The seven Europeans with 200 international caps: Seger, Spitse, Prinz, Sjögran, Pedersen, Panico, Fay". UEFA. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Seger: Favourites tag reflects Sweden's shifting status". FIFA. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Övriga utmärkelser" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Linköpings Fotboll Club". Linkopingfc.com. 6 November 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Diamantbollen" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
  12. ^ Agö, Jenny (10 November 2009). "Caroline Seger taggar för en sista vinst" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  13. ^ "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.
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  17. ^ "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.
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  28. ^ Salomonsson, Robin (9 August 2017). "Caroline Seger till Rosengård". gp.se.
  29. ^ "Sweden – C. Seger – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Women Soccerway". uk.women.soccerway.com. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  30. ^ a b Downey, Sophie (13 November 2024). "Caroline Seger signs off as Swedish football icon after two decades at top". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
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  32. ^ Molinaro, John F. (15 June 2011). "Caroline Seger part of Sweden's new generation". CBC Sports. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  33. ^ "Dam: Caroline Seger tror på spel i OS" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  34. ^ "Kapten Seger redo att segra" (in Swedish). Sveriges Television. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  35. ^ Bengtsson, Janne (5 September 2009). "Seger ny landslagskapten". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved 18 May 2014.
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  37. ^ "Seger och Schelin nya lagkaptener" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 21 October 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
  38. ^ "Sjögran och Hjohlman i Sundhages EM-trupp" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
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  40. ^ "E.Rubensson". Retrieved 4 August 2018.
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  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ 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.
  45. ^ Sweden Captain Caroline Seger & Malin Levenstad Broke Up ...heavy.com › Sports
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  47. ^ "Italien–Sverige – Matchfakta" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  48. ^ "Danmark–Sverige – Matchfakta" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  49. ^ "2009 European Championship: MATCH Report: Sweden – Russia: Group match". worldfootball.net.
  50. ^ "Azerbajdzjan–Sverige – Matchfakta" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  51. ^ "Belgien–Sverige – Matchfakta" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
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  54. ^ "Sverige–Polen – Matchfakta" (in Swedish). Swedish Football Association. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
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  63. ^ "Women's Champions League final: Lyon 0–0 Paris St-Germain (7–6 pens)". BBC Sport. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  64. ^ "Rosengård är svenska mästare. Detta sedan Linköping på måndagen spelat oavgjort". www.expressen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  65. ^ "Canada beat Sweden on penalties to win gold". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  66. ^ "Nordic Cup (Women U-20/U-21/U-23)". RSSSF.
  67. ^ "Nordic Cup (Women U-17)". RSSSF.
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