Latest news with #Blackstenius
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From Linköping to Lisbon: retracing Blackstenius's steps to Arsenal icon status
Of the many enduring images of Arsenal's celebrations after their Women's Champions League triumph over Barcelona, one in particular emphasised the magnitude and rarity of the contribution made by their goalscorer, Stina Blackstenius. The Arsenal striker was photographed holding the trophy aloft alongside Alex Scott, the scorer of the only goal in their only previous European final 18 years earlier, and as the pair posed together, it hit home that Blackstenius had scored one of the two biggest goals in the club's history. The 29-year-old Sweden striker's name will now be immortalised in Arsenal Women folklore and, despite predominantly playing as a substitute in the past two seasons, she has developed a knack for delivering in the biggest moments, scoring the winner in the 2024 League Cup final and in the 2023 League Cup final. Related: Mary Earps made indelible mark with England and leaves big gloves to fill | Suzanne Wrack It might seem at odds with her Women's Super League return of only five league goals this season – she has never hit double figures in the league for Arsenal in a single campaign – but to those who have followed her career since she was in her mid-teens, her success in Lisbon was no surprise. Martin Sjögren was in charge at the Swedish top-flight club Linköping when he signed a 16-year-old Blackstenius from Sweden's lower leagues, where she had averaged more than a goal per game, prior to their 2013 season, and he recalls: 'She was a very big talent but very, very shy. Not on the pitch, but talking to the media especially, she didn't like that and she was very shy, but that was off the pitch – on the pitch, she played with the same characteristics as she has now, she had a lot of speed, a lot of physicality and she was scoring a lot of goals. 'She was a big talent back then [before signing for Linköping]. During those years she had scored so many goals in the lower leagues, so more or less everyone knew about Stina and Linköping were the closest elite team from where she played, so it was quite natural for her to join Linköping. She was very physical – for her age, she had the physique already, so that's always been important for Stina, to be able to run, to tackle, to work hard. You can still see that in her, it's a big part of her game.' Just over two-and-half years after moving to Linköping, Blackstenius would make her senior Sweden debut, and since then she has gone on to score 35 times in 115 senior internationals for Sweden. Sjögren, who is currently coaching Hammarby, says: 'She's always been the type of player that can create chances, score chances, more or less on her own, because of her speed, and because she can finish with both her left and her right foot. 'Still, what I saw in her years ago, I still see that today, this is what she still does, but at a much higher level. She's still the same type of player. It [Saturday's winner over Barcelona] was a nice moment especially for Stina, she's a hard worker so I really think she deserves the best.' After breaking through Linköping, Blackstenius's career would take her to the French league with Montpellier before a return to Linköping and then a 2020 switch to Hacken, who were then known as Kopparbergs/Göteborg, where she won the title in her first campaign and scored in the 2021 Swedish cup final. Soon she was a transfer target for Arsenal and the head coach who brought her to north London in 2022, Jonas Eidevall, says: 'I don't think it is a coincidence that she has scored in all three finals during her time at Arsenal. She has a really good intelligence in how to find a good position in-front of the goal.' Eidevall, who stepped down from his role at Arsenal last October and is now coaching the San Diego Wave, who are second in the NWSL, says: 'Stina had proved so many times with the Swedish national team that she is a player for the big games, scoring deciding goals in knockout matches. 'I think she has improved her technical level dramatically since she arrived at Arsenal, which also means that she's a much more well-rounded forward who can finish in more ways and operate both behind and in front of the back line.' Speaking after the final whistle in Lisbon, Blackstenius insisted on praising the 'team performance' rather than wanting to talk about herself, and told TNT Sports: 'I just can't believe it, all of it. I just can't believe we won the Champions League and we get to celebrate.' Even in that, proudest of moments, she still came across a little shy in a live post-match interview, but in front of goal, she is fearless.
Observer
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Arsenal win Women's CL with victory over Barcelona
LISBON: Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second Women's Champions League title and first in 18 years to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans. Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. The Sweden international latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Renee Slegers' Gunners, making their second appearance in the final having won Europe's top club competition in 2007, held on to win against a Barca side going for a third straight Champions League title. "Amazing," Arsenal forward Alessia Russo told TNT Sports through tears. "We had to suffer a lot. "They're a top side. We knew coming into this game that we'd have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn't have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come. "Our squad just wanted it so badly." The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen's "We are the Champions". The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team considered on paper to be the best in the world. Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati called the loss "absolutely devastating." "I don't believe it," the 2023 and '24 women's Ballon d'Or winner told Catalan TV. "I just want to start the game again and do it differently. Personally, this hurts me a lot." Barcelona were playing in their sixth final in seven years and had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday's reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions. Arsenal might have arrived as huge underdogs but had proved in their comeback win over Lyon in the semi-finals — they lost 2-1 at home before roaring back with a 4-1 away victory in the second leg — that they were not afraid of that tag. They almost went ahead in the first half when Frida Maanum sprang free on the right wing and Barca defender Irene Paredes slid to divert her low cross into the net for an apparent own goal. However, a VAR check showed Maanum was offside. Arsenal's defence stood strong as Barcelona had 20 attempts to the Gunners' eight, including two long-range Ona Batlle shots that sailed just over the bar, as well as 12 corners to two. "We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts because we respect Barcelona, we know how good they are on the ball but we also know how good we are," Slegers told TNT, through a voice hoarse from celebrating. "So we knew that momentum was going to shift. Maybe other people were thinking something else, but that's what we believed. In all the phases that happened in the game, the mentality we showed, the resilience we showed, the effectiveness in all our actions, our belief, it was incredible." Blackstenius almost struck a couple of minutes before her goal but Coll stuck out a leg to stop her shot from 12 metres. Leah Williamson, who was outstanding in defence, was a mascot at Arsenal's 2007 victory over Sweden's Umea. "A lot of this team have been together for a long time and to be able to do it on the biggest day, some people had the game of their lives," she said. "I'm so happy". — Reuters
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stina Blackstenius is a subtle striker who helped Arsenal win another Champions League title
As Arsenal's Beth Mead played a snap reverse pass, Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius made a quick half turn to adjust her body shape, staying on the shoulder of the Barcelona defence. 'The space opened up,' said Arsenal's Beth Mead. 'Seeing Stina, I thought, 'Why not put it there?'.' Advertisement Blackstenius thought she wasn't prepared for the pass, but on the stretch, she just managed to control the ball with her first touch, and with her second, did not hesitate, blasting the ball into the back of the net. The goal proved the difference, lifting Arsenal 1-0 over Barcelona in one of the biggest upsets in UEFA Women's Champions League final history. 'My feelings were all over the place,' Blackstenius, UEFA's player of the match, said after the game. 'I was in shock, then I was scared that I was offside, so I looked to the lino (linesperson).' At the full-time whistle, Blackstenius dropped to her knees. The Sweden international's goal in the 74th minute sealed European victory for Arsenal after an 18-year hiatus since their first Champions League title in 2007. In doing so, they knocked the three-time European champions off their perch. Advertisement Ironically, the blonde 1.74m (5ft 9in) Swede does not like to be the centre of attention. Her team-mates describe her as shy, humble and hardworking. She has been like that since she was a teenager. 'She wouldn't take the microphone and sing a song, but she was sociable, a nice girl, but more reserved,' Sweden's all-time record goalscorer Lotta Schelin told after the final. Schelin recalls when Blackstenius, 12 years her junior, came into the national team's senior team and was already known as, in her words, a 'superstar'. In 2015, Sweden won the Under-19 European Championship, and Blackstenius took home the Golden Boot and player of the tournament awards. 'She didn't like to be in the spotlight or interviewed,' said Schelin. 'She thought it was hard. It's not for everyone. Just because you're great at something doesn't mean you like this attention. Advertisement 'She was really tense in the beginning, she worked through it, and now when I hear her in interviews, even a couple of years ago, I was so impressed she had taken so many steps.' Having grown up playing for her youth team Vadstena, the forward moved to Swedish top-flight side Linkoping, where she played with Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers from 2013 to 2016. However, at 20, she moved to Montpellier in France. After two years, she left before the expiry of her contract in January 2020 and returned to Linkoping in her homeland. Fellow Swede Jonas Eidevall brought her to Arsenal in January 2022. 'Stina had proved so many times with the Swedish national team that she was a player for the big games, and at numerous times she scored deciding goals in knock-out matches,' former Arsenal and now San Diego Wave head coach Eidevall told . Advertisement Blackstenius' goal on Saturday was her third in a final for Arsenal, previously scoring against Chelsea in the 2023 and 2024 League Cup finals. The striker, however, is not a clinical finisher and received criticism for her low goalscoring tally. For the last two Women's Super League (WSL) seasons, she registered the highest expected goals value, a measurement of the quality of chances created per 90 minutes, but did not convert those chances. Across her four WSL seasons, she has never scored more than eight goals. However, the 29-year-old's skill set is not reduced to goals. Blackstenius is a runner, makes smart moves in behind and creates space for other players. 'She has a really good intelligence in how to find a good position in front of the goal,' said Eidevall. Advertisement Indeed, Slegers' instructions to Blackstenius before she came on the pitch in the 67th minute were to run in behind and stretch the defence. 'When Stina knows exactly what to do, she's going to do it 100 per cent,' said Schelin. 'You want her on the pitch but she's also a perfect sub because there's more space, players are more tired and she comes with all her strength, power and speed.' The introduction of Blackstenius and Mead in the 64th and 68th minute, respectively, was the game-defining moment against Barcelona. While Mead likes to play in front of the defence, Blackstenius makes runs into space, but she needed Mead to play the ball at the right time. With just her third touch, Blackstenius made her mark on the European stage, coming up clutch. Advertisement 'I don't think it is a coincidence that she has scored in all three finals that Arsenal has played during her time at the club,' said Eidevall. 'Stina turns up in big moments and a lot of people criticise her, but she works so hard,' said Mead. 'She's such a genuine, amazing human, and she deserves that.' 'All I can say is good things happen to good people,' added Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy. When Schelin saw her compatriot after the game, Blackstenius told her: 'I don't even know what's happening.' Schelin replied: 'It's happening, enjoy it! You beat one of the best teams ever!' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Arsenal, UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Stina Blackstenius is a subtle striker who helped Arsenal win another Champions League title
As Arsenal's Beth Mead played a snap reverse pass, Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius made a quick half turn to adjust her body shape, staying on the shoulder of the Barcelona defence. 'The space opened up,' said Arsenal's Beth Mead. 'Seeing Stina, I thought, 'Why not put it there?'.' Blackstenius thought she wasn't prepared for the pass, but on the stretch, she just managed to control the ball with her first touch, and with her second, did not hesitate, blasting the ball into the back of the net. The goal proved the difference, lifting Arsenal 1-0 over Barcelona in one of the biggest upsets in UEFA Women's Champions League final history. Advertisement 'My feelings were all over the place,' Blackstenius, UEFA's player of the match, said after the game. 'I was in shock, then I was scared that I was offside, so I looked to the lino (linesperson).' At the full-time whistle, Blackstenius dropped to her knees. The Sweden international's goal in the 74th minute sealed European victory for Arsenal after an 18-year hiatus since their first Champions League title in 2007. In doing so, they knocked the three-time European champions off their perch. Ironically, the blonde 1.74m (5ft 9in) Swede does not like to be the centre of attention. Her team-mates describe her as shy, humble and hardworking. She has been like that since she was a teenager. 'She wouldn't take the microphone and sing a song, but she was sociable, a nice girl, but more reserved,' Sweden's all-time record goalscorer Lotta Schelin told The Athletic after the final. Schelin recalls when Blackstenius, 12 years her junior, came into the national team's senior team and was already known as, in her words, a 'superstar'. In 2015, Sweden won the Under-19 European Championship, and Blackstenius took home the Golden Boot and player of the tournament awards. 'She didn't like to be in the spotlight or interviewed,' said Schelin. 'She thought it was hard. It's not for everyone. Just because you're great at something doesn't mean you like this attention. 'She was really tense in the beginning, she worked through it, and now when I hear her in interviews, even a couple of years ago, I was so impressed she had taken so many steps.' Having grown up playing for her youth team Vadstena, the forward moved to Swedish top-flight side Linkoping, where she played with Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers from 2013 to 2016. However, at 20, she moved to Montpellier in France. After two years, she left before the expiry of her contract in January 2020 and returned to Linkoping in her homeland. Advertisement Fellow Swede Jonas Eidevall brought her to Arsenal in January 2022. 'Stina had proved so many times with the Swedish national team that she was a player for the big games, and at numerous times she scored deciding goals in knock-out matches,' former Arsenal and now San Diego Wave head coach Eidevall told The Athletic. Blackstenius' goal on Saturday was her third in a final for Arsenal, previously scoring against Chelsea in the 2023 and 2024 League Cup finals. The striker, however, is not a clinical finisher and received criticism for her low goalscoring tally. For the last two Women's Super League (WSL) seasons, she registered the highest expected goals value, a measurement of the quality of chances created per 90 minutes, but did not convert those chances. Across her four WSL seasons, she has never scored more than eight goals. However, the 29-year-old's skill set is not reduced to goals. Blackstenius is a runner, makes smart moves in behind and creates space for other players. 'She has a really good intelligence in how to find a good position in front of the goal,' said Eidevall. Indeed, Slegers' instructions to Blackstenius before she came on the pitch in the 67th minute were to run in behind and stretch the defence. 'When Stina knows exactly what to do, she's going to do it 100 per cent,' said Schelin. 'You want her on the pitch but she's also a perfect sub because there's more space, players are more tired and she comes with all her strength, power and speed.' The introduction of Blackstenius and Mead in the 64th and 68th minute, respectively, was the game-defining moment against Barcelona. While Mead likes to play in front of the defence, Blackstenius makes runs into space, but she needed Mead to play the ball at the right time. With just her third touch, Blackstenius made her mark on the European stage, coming up clutch. Advertisement 'I don't think it is a coincidence that she has scored in all three finals that Arsenal has played during her time at the club,' said Eidevall. 'Stina turns up in big moments and a lot of people criticise her, but she works so hard,' said Mead. 'She's such a genuine, amazing human, and she deserves that.' 'All I can say is good things happen to good people,' added Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy. When Schelin saw her compatriot after the game, Blackstenius told her: 'I don't even know what's happening.' Schelin replied: 'It's happening, enjoy it! You beat one of the best teams ever!'
Business Recorder
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Arsenal stun Barca to win Champions League with late Blackstenius goal
LISBON: Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner as the London team shocked holders Barcelona 1-0 on Saturday to claim their second Women's Champions League title and first in 18 years to the delight of their 5,000 travelling fans. Arsenal withstood a flurry of Barca chances before Blackstenius broke the deadlock in the 75th minute. Messi and Miami fight back for 3-3 draw at Philadelphia The Sweden international latched onto fellow substitute Beth Mead's reverse pass in a crowded area and fired a low diagonal shot past goalkeeper Catalina Coll at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. Renee Slegers' Gunners, making their second appearance in the final having won Europe's top club competition in 2007, held on to win against a Barca side going for a third straight Champions League title. 'Amazing,' Arsenal forward Alessia Russo told TNT Sports through tears. 'We had to suffer a lot. 'They're a top side. We knew coming into this game that we'd have to suffer and there would be moments when we wouldn't have the ball and we would have to be content and happy with not having the ball knowing our moment would come. 'Our squad just wanted it so badly.' The Arsenal players stood arm-in-arm in front of their red-clad fans after the final whistle singing along to Queen's 'We are the Champions'. The win comes against a mighty Barcelona team considered on paper to be the best in the world. Barca midfielder Aitana Bonmati called the loss 'absolutely devastating.' 'I don't believe it,' the 2023 and '24 women's Ballon d'Or winner told Catalan TV. 'I just want to start the game again and do it differently. Personally, this hurts me a lot.' Barcelona were playing in their sixth final in seven years and had hoisted the trophy in three of the past four campaigns. Saturday's reverse was just their fourth loss of the season across all competitions. Hugh underdogs Arsenal might have arrived as huge underdogs but had proved in their comeback win over Lyon in the semi-finals – they lost 2-1 at home before roaring back with a 4-1 away victory in the second leg – that they were not afraid of that tag. They almost went ahead in the first half when Frida Maanum sprang free on the right wing and Barca defender Irene Paredes slid to divert her low cross into the net for an apparent own goal. However, a VAR check showed Maanum was offside. Arsenal's defence stood strong as Barcelona had 20 attempts to the Gunners' eight, including two long-range Ona Batlle shots that sailed just over the bar, as well as 12 corners to two. 'We knew it was going to be a game of momentum shifts because we respect Barcelona, we know how good they are on the ball but we also know how good we are,' Slegers told TNT, through a voice hoarse from celebrating. 'So we knew that momentum was going to shift. Maybe other people were thinking something else, but that's what we believed. In all the phases that happened in the game, the mentality we showed, the resilience we showed, the effectiveness in all our actions, our belief, it was incredible.' Blackstenius almost struck a couple of minutes before her goal but Coll stuck out a leg to stop her shot from 12 metres. Leah Williamson, who was outstanding in defence, was a mascot at Arsenal's 2007 victory over Sweden's Umea. 'A lot of this team have been together for a long time and to be able to do it on the biggest day, some people had the game of their lives,' she said. 'I'm so happy. I'm trying not to swear or cry.'
