Monday, August 31, 2009
World Cup Qualifiers next weekend
Sweden face a crucial month of qualifiers with trips to Hungary and Malta on the agenda. A full preview on Wednesday will follow the Swedish national side as they look to beat the odds and grab a play-off place for a place in South Africa next summer.
IFK Göteborg 4-0 Elfsborg 30th August 2009
Elfsborg exited the Europa league on Thursday despite beating Lazi but by Sunday they suffered a key defeat in the title race to fellow challengers IFK Goteborg. A goalless first-half was followed by a 2nd half that IFK Goteborg ran riot in. Ten minutes into the 2nd half and IFK were 1-0 up thanks to Hjalmar Jonsson. Hannes Stiller made it 2-0 six minutes later to put IFK Goteborg in the driving seat. Elfsborg had a couple of chances before Stiller got his 2nd of the night on 65 minutes which ended the game as a contest. Tobias Hycén wrapped up a good night's work with a 4th two minutes from time.
IFK into 2nd a point behind AIK with Elfsborg a further point back in 3rd.
IFK into 2nd a point behind AIK with Elfsborg a further point back in 3rd.
Halmstads 0-4 BK Hacken 30th August 2009
Halmstads suffered another big defeat as BK Hacken continued their quest of European football via the league anyway.
Paulo De Oliveira opened the scoring for the visitors on 22 minutes before key man Jonas Henriksson made it 2-0 on 30 minutes. Halmstads had conceded four goals last weekend against Trelleborgs and their night here was going to get worse.
BK Hacken got a third on 39 minutes through Erik Friberg, before Halmstads' Christian Jardler was sent-off for a 2nd bookable offense.
Nine minutes into the 2nd half Jonas Henriksson got his 2nd of the night and BK Hacken's 4th.
Paulo De Oliveira opened the scoring for the visitors on 22 minutes before key man Jonas Henriksson made it 2-0 on 30 minutes. Halmstads had conceded four goals last weekend against Trelleborgs and their night here was going to get worse.
BK Hacken got a third on 39 minutes through Erik Friberg, before Halmstads' Christian Jardler was sent-off for a 2nd bookable offense.
Nine minutes into the 2nd half Jonas Henriksson got his 2nd of the night and BK Hacken's 4th.
Kalmar 3-0 Hammarby 30th August 2009
Rasmus Elm played his final game for Kalmar and helped them overcome Hammarby 3-0. The Sweden star came to a standing ovation when he was replaced by Lasse Johansson in the final minute.
Tobias Ericsson opened the scoring after 32 minutes t set Kalmar on their way. Hammarby went 2-0 behind two minutes later when Daniel Mendes found the net. Tobias Ericsson made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.
Tobias Ericsson opened the scoring after 32 minutes t set Kalmar on their way. Hammarby went 2-0 behind two minutes later when Daniel Mendes found the net. Tobias Ericsson made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The bussiness end begins!
As August gets ready to pack away for another year we are reaching the bussiness end of the season in Sweden. So far we have seen surprise packages or two and we have seen some big players leave for advanetures abroad but that all goes out the window come the next round of matches in mid-September. September is the 2nd last month of the Allsvenskan, with a relegation fight that sees unfamiliar names and a title race that is one of the most exciting in recent years.
Title Race:
The title race so far has four teams in the running with both BK Hacken and Helsingborgs not out of the race yet. Current champions Kalmar struggled early on but have found form during the summer and another big push is needed. Elfsborg, last year's runners-up have exited the Europa league and can now focus 100% on the title race. IFK Goteborg sold a couple of key players but have stayed in touch while AIK have been re-born this year following years of disappointment.
Both BK Hacken and Helsingborgs are not out of the race either. BK Hacken have been the best surprise package and could end up going into European competition. Helsingborgs are also looking at qualifying for Europe.
European Hopefuls:
There are three teams that only last year were struggling in the relegation dog-fight pusing for Europe. Gefle have been impressive with their home form. Orebro have their home form to thank plus their impressive away form. Trelleborgs, favourites to go down in 2008 are also lurking up there.
No Danger:
Currnetly Malmo look like having an average run to the end of the season. Locked in mid-table the southerners have no real hope of making Europe, barring a fantastic run, nor is relegation in real danger although a couple of more points will be needed.
Relegation Fight:
The relegation dog-fight of 2009 has unfamiliar names with Orgryte, Djurgarden and Hammarby all looking likely to be going down. Orgryte went the 1st half of the season without a win while Djurgarden haven't done much better. Hammarby are struggling to replace the players lost over last winter and summer. GAIS and IF Brommapojkarna are in the mix and Halmstads are on a terrible run and are no involved.
Title Race:
The title race so far has four teams in the running with both BK Hacken and Helsingborgs not out of the race yet. Current champions Kalmar struggled early on but have found form during the summer and another big push is needed. Elfsborg, last year's runners-up have exited the Europa league and can now focus 100% on the title race. IFK Goteborg sold a couple of key players but have stayed in touch while AIK have been re-born this year following years of disappointment.
Both BK Hacken and Helsingborgs are not out of the race either. BK Hacken have been the best surprise package and could end up going into European competition. Helsingborgs are also looking at qualifying for Europe.
European Hopefuls:
There are three teams that only last year were struggling in the relegation dog-fight pusing for Europe. Gefle have been impressive with their home form. Orebro have their home form to thank plus their impressive away form. Trelleborgs, favourites to go down in 2008 are also lurking up there.
No Danger:
Currnetly Malmo look like having an average run to the end of the season. Locked in mid-table the southerners have no real hope of making Europe, barring a fantastic run, nor is relegation in real danger although a couple of more points will be needed.
Relegation Fight:
The relegation dog-fight of 2009 has unfamiliar names with Orgryte, Djurgarden and Hammarby all looking likely to be going down. Orgryte went the 1st half of the season without a win while Djurgarden haven't done much better. Hammarby are struggling to replace the players lost over last winter and summer. GAIS and IF Brommapojkarna are in the mix and Halmstads are on a terrible run and are no involved.
AIK 1-0 Trelleborgs 29th August 2009
AIK went top of the Allsvenskan after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Trelleborgs at the Rasunda. AIK have been grinding out results this season and despite injuries to key players they are pushing for the title than what they were last year. Dulee Johnson, who returned from Maccabi Tel-Aviv in June scored the winner on 64 minutes that secured AIK the win and comdemn Trelleborgs to defeat. But Trelleborgs can count themselves lucky that AIK weren't clinical in their finishing here. AIK top of the pile going into September.
Rasmus Elm departs Kalmar
Kalmar lost influencial midfielder Rasmus Elm on Thursday. Elm, part of the Sweden U-21 side that reached the semi-finals of the Championship in June has signed a 4-year deal with Dutch Eredivisie champions AZ Alkmaar.
Elm joins former IFK Goteborg midfielder Pontus Wernbloom, who joined back in June. Kalmar currently involved in a thrilling title race are thinking about the possiblity of recalling Northern Ireland national Daryl Smylie from his loan spell with Jonkoping Sodra.
Elm's departure is the 4th major one since July 2008 when César Santín left. Both Patrik Ingelsten and Viktor Elm, Rasmus's brother left also for Holland.
Rasmus Elm joins an increasing number of Swedish player playing in Holland. It was suggested that Elm was attraching interest from Everton and Fulham in the Premier League.
Elm joins former IFK Goteborg midfielder Pontus Wernbloom, who joined back in June. Kalmar currently involved in a thrilling title race are thinking about the possiblity of recalling Northern Ireland national Daryl Smylie from his loan spell with Jonkoping Sodra.
Elm's departure is the 4th major one since July 2008 when César Santín left. Both Patrik Ingelsten and Viktor Elm, Rasmus's brother left also for Holland.
Rasmus Elm joins an increasing number of Swedish player playing in Holland. It was suggested that Elm was attraching interest from Everton and Fulham in the Premier League.
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