She shoots, she scores: Santander Champions League Final Screening
Connie Buettner on her love of football and the electric atmosphere of the Santander Champions League Final.
For the first time in four years, Cambridge won the women's Varsity football match, with two Lucy students on the team.
For the first time in four years, Cambridge won the women’s Varsity football match on 10 March. The Light Blues were led to victory by captain Linnea Gradin, an undergraduate at Lucy Cavendish College; she was joined on the team by another Lucian, PhD student Connie Buettner. The match, which took place in London, was a 3-1 win to Cambridge.
The Cambridge Blues defeated Oxford in a thrilling fixture which, despite a cautious start, erupted into life in the second half. Tensions ran high, with both a Cambridge and an Oxford win in their previous meetings this season. The Light Blues’ determination paid off, however, when they regained the Varsity crown; the win was ensured by Christ’s College’s Liz Ashcroft, who scored two goals in two minutes and, ultimately, a hat-trick. Nevertheless, it was a team effort – captained effectively by Linnea, with the presence of Lucy Cavendish felt on the pitch in both her and Connie’s performance.
The Varsity match is a high point of Linnea’s captaincy, which she holds this season after acting as vice-captain last year. This is her third year on the Blues team, while Connie was selected last season. Off the pitch, Linnea is in her third year of a Sociology and Social Anthropology degree, and is the Sports and Societies Officer for the Lucy Cavendish Students’ Union. Connie is a PhD student at Lucy Cavendish College, in the Department of Chemistry; she also plays for the combined Christ’s/Churchill/Cavendish football team. Both have been footballers since they were young, in Sweden and Austria respectively. The Varsity win is sure to be a highlight of their careers so far.
College President Professor Dame Madeleine Atkins said:
“Many congratulations to Connie, Linnea and their teammates for their victory. Taking part in sport is an excellent way to promote wellbeing, and balance our intense academic environment; it’s exciting to see many of our students representing their sport at University level, and doing Lucy Cavendish proud.”
To get involved in the Cambridge University Association Football Club, visit their website here. If you’re new to football, or looking for fun with less commitment, the Christ’s/Churchill/Cavendish football team is ideal; visit their Facebook page here.
Learn more about Linnea’s experience of the Blues, football and captaincy in our Q&A last term.