Slip-up denies Nordlund final chance

This was supposed to be Tina Nordlund's year. The Umeå IK and Swedish international midfield player was ready to take her place as not only the dominant player in Sweden but also the world.

A glorious year
Nordlund led Sweden to a silver medal at the 2001 UEFA European Women's Championship last July and helped Umeå claim the Swedish Cup. She capped a memorable season by leading her club to a second successive national title in a campaign which saw Umeå become the first team ever to win the Swedish league without losing a game.

Umeå achievements
That was not enough for Nordlund, however, as she helped guide Umeå to the semi-finals of the inaugural UEFA Women's Cup. Nothing, it seemed, could stop her from making a bid to earn her second Diamond Ball - the award given to the best player in Swedish women's football. Nothing except a patch of ice. "I was on my way to training and just stepped on some ice," she said. "I did something to my knee."

Serious injury
That seemingly minor accident has turned into a major headache. Nordlund's knee did not respond to treatment and she has played just 60 minutes of football this year. Last Friday, Nordlund was told she would need surgery to repair torn cartilage. The surgery will keep Nordlund out of action for four to six weeks, meaning she will not even be able to see the Women's Cup final between Umeå and German champions 1. FFC Frankfurt. "They play on Thursday and that's when I am having surgery," she said. "I'm disappointed I can't play as I really wanted to play in the final."

Major disappointment
Nordlund's absence will be sorely felt by Umeå. The two-times Swedish champions will play Frankfurt without a number of key players, including striker Hanna Ljungberg who is suspended after accumulating too many yellow cards. The fact that a number of her team-mates also cannot play makes missing the game even harder on Nordlund. "Sometimes these things happen - at least that is what I tell myself," she said. "But it is disappointing. At the same time, it's not like I am not going to play again. I will be back in four weeks or something. I already cannot wait to get back to training."

Fighting spirit
Nordlund's fighting spirit is one aspect of her character at which her coaches always marvel. Umeå coach Richard Holmlund and Sweden trainer Marika Domanski-Lyfors both say her determination is something that sets Nordlund apart. "She is always very focused," Domanski-Lyfors said. "She works very hard and she always wants to win. I think that is one reason why she is so good."

No-nonsense attitude
Nordlund's determination to be the best is allied to a no-nonsense attitude to life. Being injured is an unfortunate feature of playing football, and though her inactivity has been a serious frustration, she has not allowed the injury to cloud her reason. "Certainly, I wish it didn't happen," she said, "but I can't think that way, like I should not have gone out that day. I was on my way to training. Being hurt is just part of the game."