The Pulse

Although they say they are not alike, twins Nellie and Elin Karlsson share one passion. Unsurprisingly, a love for football.

Sam Kerr leaving Chelsea and Katie McCabe departing Arsenal broke plenty of hearts across the women’s football world. But while these farewells are painful for fans, they are also a positive sign for the game itself. Here is why.

Most European leagues have already crowned their champions. In Sweden, Austria, Poland and Spain, the domestic cup winners have also been decided. But beyond the trophies, this week was also marked by a series of emotional farewells. Whether it was legends leaving their clubs after many seasons or retiring from the professional game. Simply put, it feels like the end of an era in women’s football.

Women’s football is growing. But especially in Europe, so much still depends on how clubs choose to treat their women’s teams. In some places, there is a genuine one-club mentality: women play at the big main stadium, have their own merchandise, and share facilities equally with the men’s side. Elsewhere, the reality is very different. At Dijon, despite the women’s team being more successful than the men’s side, the players are now facing the possible loss of their professional status.

A few days ago, Brighton banged on the table and announced the creation of a new stadium exclusively for its women’s team. Brighton & Hove Albion have published plans to build the first women’s football stadium designed specifically for the sport in the United Kingdom and Europe. In addition, it will also be the third stadium in the world created for the exclusive use of the women’s football team.

Winning the Champions League is probably the greatest achievement a player can experience with their club. But winning it in your home country? That is a feeling few things could ever surpass. This year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final will take place in Oslo, Norway  and both finalists have Norwegian players as an important part of their squads.

On Friday, 1 May 2026, Elena Sadiku lifted the first-ever Europa Cup trophy together with her Häcken side, just months after taking over the team in December 2025. In her previous role at Celtic, she had already made history by delivering the club’s first-ever title in the Scottish Women's Premier League. Yet as a player, her own journey was cut short, forced to retire at just 23 after suffering her third ACL injury. What is the story of Elena Sadiku?