Football | Vilma Koivisto's autographs are popular even with teenage boys in Sweden

Finnish footballer Vilma Koivisto, 23, has become a notable figure in Sweden, not just for her skills on the field but also for her growing popularity among young fans. Playing for the prominent Swedish club Hammarby in the top-tier women's league, Damallsvenskan, Koivisto has found herself in high demand for autographs, even from teenage boys.

Koivisto, who plays for Hammarby, recently stood on the field at the 3Arena stadium in Stockholm during the team's season opener. The match, attended by nearly 3,700 spectators, showcased the strong fan culture of Hammarby, known as "Bajen." The club's supporters are renowned for their passionate and continuous singing throughout games, creating an electric atmosphere.

While Hammarby's women's team plays most of its home games at the smaller Kanalplan stadium, they occasionally use the larger 3Arena for special occasions, such as cup finals. Koivisto and her teammates recently celebrated winning the Swedish Cup on home turf after a loss in the Europa Cup. Koivisto describes the Hammarby fans as "quite unique" and "more passionate" than supporters elsewhere in Europe, appreciating the constant noise during matches.

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Hammarby's fans are quite unique. There are no such passionate fans elsewhere in Europe. It's cool that it's not silent for a second at the stadium during our matches.

Since moving to Stockholm, Koivisto, who grew up in Rovaniemi, Finland, has been playing some of the best football of her career. She has been a consistent starter for Hammarby this season, playing nearly full minutes in every match. This success has contributed to her becoming an idol for Swedish children and teenagers.

Koivisto expressed pleasant surprise that fans, regardless of gender, seek her autograph. "Players are role models for them, and it doesn't matter to them whether we are men or women. That has been a pleasant surprise for me," she said. Many fans bring Hammarby merchandise, like jerseys or scarves, for her to sign, while others present separate pieces of paper or even their hands.

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Players are role models for them, and it doesn't matter to them whether we are men or women. That has been a pleasant surprise for me.