Laura Österberg Kalmari facts for kids
Laura Österberg Kalmari
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laura Elina Österberg Kalmari | ||
| Date of birth | 27 May 1979 | ||
| Place of birth | Kirkkonummi, Finland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1984–1995 | KyIF | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1995–1996 | PuiU | ||
| 1997 | MPS | ||
| 1998–1999 | HJK | ||
| 2000–2001 | HJK | ||
| 2002 | Boston Renegades | ||
| 2003–2004 | Umeå IK | ||
| 2005–2006 | Djurgården/Älvsjö | ||
| 2007–2009 | AIK | ||
| 2010–2011 | Sky Blue FC | 33 | (7) |
| National team | |||
| 1996–2011 | Finland | 130 | (41) |
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Laura Elina Österberg Kalmari (born 27 May 1979) is a famous Finnish former football player. She was known for playing as a forward, which means she played closer to the opponent's goal to score. Before she stopped playing in 2012, she was part of the American team Sky Blue FC in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. Laura is also the player with the most games played for the Finland women's national football team. She is also their top goal scorer ever!
Contents
Laura's Club Football Journey
Laura Österberg Kalmari played for several clubs in Finland, including Puistolan Urheilijat, Malmin Palloseura, and HJK. In 2000, she moved to the University of Portland in the United States.
Playing in Europe and the US
Laura returned to HJK to play in the very first UEFA Women's Cup during the 2001–2002 season. Her team, HJK, did really well and reached the semi-finals of this big European competition. After that, she went back to the United States to play for Boston Renegades in the W-League.
In 2002, Laura moved to Sweden to join the Damallsvenskan club Umeå IK. This was a very successful time for her, as she helped Umeå IK win the UEFA Women's Cup two years in a row! She also played for Djurgården/Älvsjö in 2005 and 2006, and then for AIK starting in 2007.
Playing in America and Retirement
Later, Laura joined the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) team Sky Blue FC in the United States. She scored seven goals in 33 games during the 2010 and 2011 seasons. When the professional league in America stopped, Laura Österberg Kalmari decided to retire from playing football in April 2012.
Laura's International Career with Finland
Laura Österberg Kalmari first played for the Finland women's national football team in March 1996. She played an amazing 130 games for her country and scored 41 goals. This makes her the player with the most appearances and the most goals for the Finnish national team!
European Championships Success
In 2005, Laura played in the finals of the 2005 European Championships. Finland reached the semi-finals, which is still the best result their women's team has ever achieved in this competition.
After taking a break from international football, during which her daughter was born, Laura was called back to the national team in January 2009. She had last played for Finland in September 2006. She then represented Finland again when they hosted the 2009 European Championships, where her team reached the quarter-finals.
Awards and Recognition
Laura Österberg Kalmari has won the Women's Finnish Footballer of the Year award five times. No other player has won it as many times as her! She received this award in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2010.
Laura's Family Life
Laura Österberg Kalmari married Niko Österberg in 2007. They welcomed their daughter, Meja, into the world in March 2008.
Images for kids
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Österberg Kalmari playing for the Finland national team.
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Österberg Kalmari (R) playing for NJ Sky Blue against St.Louis Athletica, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Laura Kalmari para niños
