Umeå hit by Ljungberg loss

Umeå IK's Swedish international striker Hanna Ljungberg is expected to be out of action for approximately six months after tearing cruciate ligaments.

'Huge blow'
Ljungberg sustained the injury in training, and was flown to Stockholm early on Saturday morning for a scan. "Hanna was examined by doctors who established the extent of the damage," said new Umeå coach André Jeglertz. "It's a huge blow for Hanna and of course for us as well."

Olympic doubt
The setback rules Ljungberg out of Umeå's forthcoming UEFA Women's Cup semi-final meeting with Danish side Brøndby IF, and her participation in this summer's Olympic Games in Athens is also now in doubt. Ljungberg was a key figure in the Sweden side that reached the final of the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.