Episode details

World Service,19 Feb 2026,22 mins
What draws Sweden's footballers to England's WSL?
More than the ScoreAvailable for over a year
England's Women's Super League, or WSL, is one of the richest leagues in women's football, with players from many countries - but it's proven particularly attractive for Swedish footballers. Twenty-three Swedes play across the league, including such names as Manchester United's Fridolina Rolfo and Hanna Lundkvist, as well as Arsenal's Stina Blackstenius. But has that damaged Sweden's own league, the Damallsvenskan, and what does the flow of players to other countries mean for the country's youth development? Swedish football journalist Amanda Zaza and Mia Eriksson, communication manager at Swedish side Linköping, join the BBC's Sophia Hartley to discuss the qualities that make Swedish players so attractive to WSL clubs, whether the number of players moving abroad is having an effect on Swedish domestic football, and if the country's top clubs, like Häcken and Hammarby, are still forces to be reckoned with in Europe. Every Monday to Friday, More than the Score tells stories beyond the scoreline from all over the world of sport. From the Winter Olympics to the Super Bowl, the Australian Open to the Diamond League, and netball to Formula 1. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes like skimo star Emily Harrop, snowboarding icon Scotty James and cycling sprint king Harrie Lavreysen, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from the referees who run VAR to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore
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