Västerås SK claimed their third consecutive Women’s U17 Club World Cup title, defeating Skirö AIK 2–1 in the final in Gothenburg on 8 November. The Federation of International Bandy -FIB- tournament, held on 6–8 November across Gothenburg and Mölndal, brought together six teams from Sweden and Norway. The result extended the Swedish club’s winning run, following titles in 2024 and 2025, in an international competition dedicated to youth development.
Alice Håkansson scored both Västerås goals in the final, while Elsa Tarenius scored for Skirö, who had beaten the eventual champions in the preliminary round. Villa Lidköping BK took bronze with a 10–0 victory over Stabæk IF; IFK Vänersborg finished fifth and the combined Ready/Sarpsborg team sixth. The format paired a round robin involving all six teams with matches deciding the title, third place and fifth place, giving every team six games over three days.
Two clubs and two venues host the tournament
Local organisation once again brought together Mölndal Bandy and SK Höjden, with matches at Åby Isstadion in Mölndal and Ruddalen in Gothenburg. The venues are approximately eight kilometres apart, a journey of around fifteen minutes, and all three placement matches were held in Gothenburg. The two locations had already hosted the 2024 and 2025 editions. “It is important for us to showcase our facilities to both players and spectators,” Pär Ringbo, club manager at Mölndal Bandy, explained in 2025 when outlining the hosts’ ambitions.
Access to indoor ice provides useful context for that continuity. At Ruddalen, the former outdoor bandy rink was converted into an indoor arena, which opened to the public during the 2022–2023 Christmas holidays. According to the City of Gothenburg, the work extended the ice season and forms part of a redevelopment intended to increase use by sports clubs, schools and the wider community. The project also provides for activities outside the ice season, allowing the venue to be used for more months of the year.
The work behind six games per team
Members of the host clubs’ own women’s teams helped deliver the event. For this edition, Mölndal Bandy allocated café duties, rink-side supervision, first aid, announcing and match secretary roles to players from its development team and F16 age group. The organisers therefore drew on the club’s existing structure to support an international competition. FIB also announced coverage of the matches on its YouTube channel, extending access beyond the two venues.
For visiting teams, participation required coordinating travel, accommodation and education. IFK Vänersborg’s trip arrangements specified an accommodation contribution of SEK 500 per night at the Åby Hotel, with the club covering the remainder. The club also arranged school leave for players attending upper secondary school in Vänersborg, while others had to apply through their own schools. These arrangements were specific to that team’s trip, illustrating the organisational and financial support needed to compete away from home at this age.
FIB takes part in World Sport for All decisions
FIB’s institutional activities also included a visit to Antalya, Türkiye, where World Sport for All -WSFA- held its Executive Council meeting and General Assembly from 30 October to 1 November. Attila Adamfi, FIB General Secretary, attended in his capacity as an Executive Council member. Discussions covered cooperation with the International Olympic Committee -IOC- and other organisations, updates to WSFA’s strategic plan and policies, its projects and new members. The Assembly approved amended statutes recognising international federations and international organisations as separate membership categories and granting them voting rights.
Following the admission of new members, WSFA’s network reached 140 members. The Assembly also ratified arrangements for its next congress, to be held in Belgrade, Serbia, from 27 to 30 May 2027. It approved 3 April as World Sport for All Day, commemorating the establishment of the International Sport for All Federation in 1982. The annual occasion will promote participation in physical activity and raise awareness of the importance of making sport accessible to everyone.
Last related articles
