Kristianstads DFF
The sight of Sif Atladóttir cannoning long throws at one end before racing to halt the opposition at the other for Iceland in Euro 2017 would easily convince most that she had enjoyed years of uninterrupted top-level competition. In reality, the unflinching, athletic defender had completed an arduous climb to even be there this summer, though the rhythm driving the mother-of-one and eternal locker-room hotstepper is only gathering pace now. Read more →
Knattspyrnusamband Íslands
Spotlight has been shone from countless directions upon Iceland’s respective national teams in recent times, although the intimate Nordic nation’s international footballing progress is no overnight story. The UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 was the third major tournament for the ‘dóttirs’ and for their defender Sif Atladóttir, an individual who personifies the patriotic valour and vibrancy on which her team runs. Read more →
Robyn McNeil / ISI Photos
A goal for the record books, bilingual eloquence or an admirably firm handle on what she stands for – some things can always be counted on with Raquel Rodríguez. Change, however, came in spades for the Costa Rican international once she arrived in the U.S. five years ago, ably accompanied by tribulation, triumph, precious times of silliness, and of course, a now-synonymous nickname. Read more →
At each of her significant junctures, it seems Sky Blue FC midfielder Raquel Rodríguez manages to find an opportune moment to sign her name over a little pocket of history. A national championship-winning Penn State University career helped make her the adopted American she is, but her Costa Rican pride beats in time with all she does, and it was right there when her most treasured elements came together in a blissful crescendo, one June day, two years ago. Read more →
Josephine Henning joined by fellow gold-winning teammates after Germany’s Olympic success at Rio 2016. instagram.com/josephine_henning
As the kaleidoscope carries on turning for Josephine Henning, the 27-year-old centre-back keeps inspiring by playing to a pattern all of her own. She may be competing on the field or constructing a masterpiece off it, but it is clear that social reigns supreme in any case for the captivating German international, as we take a final tour through the creative and confidential arena of the artist informally known as Josy. Read more →
Beyond the dance-move celebrations and the headphone-clad player stepping off the team bus, lies a whole world connecting football and music. Beats & Rhymes FC tells the stories of how a song lights the fuse on match day, how bands and artists colourise a player's life outside the game, and how music itself can bond an entire team.
The nostalgia of a first album, the weakness in the knees before an initiation song, or even those who've swapped the stadium for the studio. Since 2011, the performers and the personalities from all around the men's and women's game have stepped into this arena to share their soundtrack and more. The features also cover career talk, the teammates, the memories and the lessons learned from a life in this magical game.
