We all know it’s part of the game. Football never stands still — players come and go, squads evolve, and change is inevitable. But that doesn’t make it any easier. Every fan has that one player — the one who feels woven into the identity of the club, the one you can’t quite imagine in another shirt. You convince yourself they’ll be there forever. So which departures have hurt fans the most?

It’s been a dramatic week, with several derby clashes, Alessia Russo reaching a major milestone, and the Damallsvenskan season kicking off. Unfortunately, there’s also been some sad news. Here’s our weekly round-up.

When Giovanna Waksman moved from Florida to OL Lyonnes at just 16 — a club many older players can only dream of joining — the media quickly labelled her ‘the next Marta’. But have the French champions really discovered a generational talent?

The first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final did not go as Lyon had hoped, as they fell to a defeat away at Wolfsburg. They now head into the home leg needing to overturn a one-goal deficit if they want to reach the semi-finals. Queenballers had the opportunity to speak with OL Lyonnes players Ingrid Engen and Jule Brand, discussing the pressure of being favourites and whether this season feels different for them.

The Women’s Super League (WSL) is widely considered the fastest-growing and most followed women's football league in the world. Over the past decade, attendances have risen dramatically, with the league now attracting the world’s best talent and boasting 103m followers globally.

Today’s story feels like something out of a reportage book by Åsne Seierstad. Just like in the Norwegian journalist’s work, this is no fictional tale — even if it reads like one. Footballer Nadia Nadim is not only a professional athlete, but also a qualified doctor. Her journey to the pitch led through refugee camps.

The first legs of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals kick off on Tuesday, March 24, with a heavyweight clash between two sides who have lifted the trophy multiple times — OL Lyonnes and Wolfsburg. The teams already met in the group stage, where the French side came out on top with a 3–1 win. However, according to Wolfsburg defender Janou Levels, who recently spoke to Queenballers on the UEFA press conference, the German runners-up are in strong form and determined to prove it — and to get their revenge.

Another week, another story — and we now have our Asian Cup winners. Across Europe’s leagues, a new generation of young stars is beginning to shine. And there’s plenty more to catch up on.

Today’s Off the Pitch comes in a slightly different format than you might be used to on Queenballers. This time, we’re turning the spotlight on the Bajens — the fans of Stockholm-based club Hammarby. And since I am one of them, it only feels natural to tell their story from my own perspective.