The new season in Finland is approaching, and GoHandball asked handball expert Robert Åberg to share his thoughts ahead of the Women’s league season. Åberg backs HIFK for the championship and expects Kira Härkönen to emerge as one of the league’s standout performers after returning from injury.
Which team will win the league this season and why?
– HIFK. I am picking HIFK to win the championship this season for many of the same reasons as last year. The team struggled with injuries to key players Kira Härkönen and Linda Juvala, while the goalkeeping position did not always provide the consistency needed in decisive matches, Robert Åberg says.
– This season, the team will be led by a new head coach, Robin Karlsson, who is also in charge of HIFK’s men’s team. With him, I expect to see a faster and more dynamic style of play. Both Härkönen and Juvala have enjoyed a healthy pre-season, and HIFK have also strengthened their squad by signing reliable goalkeeper Melanie Udd. For me, they are the strongest candidate for the title.
Which player will stand out?
– Kira Härkönen (HIFK). I believe this will be Kira Härkönen’s season. After her knee injury, she managed to get valuable minutes under her belt during the spring, but the key difference is that she has now had a full summer to train and rebuild her form. She has already shown her quality in the pre-season matches. Härkönen is not only a player who produces herself, but also one who makes everyone around her better. That makes her an enormously important player for HIFK and, in my opinion, one of the league’s standout performers this season.
Which player, team or event will be the most disappointing?
– BK-46. “Disappointing” may not be the right word because the club’s circumstances have changed so much, but I believe BK-46 will find life considerably tougher than last season.
– The bronze medallists have lost several key players. Goalkeeper Melanie Udd has joined HIFK, top scorer Patricia Anckar has moved to Kristianstad HK, Li Adamsson and Isolde Rönnberg have signed for Larvik, Emelie Backlund has joined Pargas IF, while Nea Kanninen and Madeleine Lindholm have moved to Sjundeå IF.
– In addition, head coach Andreas Rönnberg has left for Norway to take charge of Runar’s men’s team. Former assistant coach Maria Degerlund has now taken over as head coach and faces the difficult task of guiding a much younger squad into the playoffs. It will not be an easy challenge.
What are you looking forward to the most?
– Pargas IF’s return to the league. I have to be a little selfish here and say Pargas IF’s return to the top division after a four-season absence.
– The club’s previous spell in the league was a short one, as the squad was eventually dispersed and the foundation for continued top-level play disappeared. This time, however, the club has a much stronger base to build on. The core of the team consists of players who have won two silver medals and one bronze medal in the A-junior championships over the last three seasons.
– The squad is young, but they are not entering the league simply to make up the numbers. With their high-tempo and attacking style of play, I believe Pargas IF can cause problems for many of the established teams and become one of the most entertaining stories of the season.