david in sweden
17-04-2012, 05:25 PM
.in response to a number of enquiries, and rather belatedly I can give a short rundown on the season start here.
Allsvenskan (that's Prem. over here ) ..Teams have now played 4 games, the first two weeks ago began with some teams brushing newly-fallen snow off the pitches, with Elfsborg (thats Anders Svensson's mob -
he's 36 this summer and still going strong) winning 2-1. Both AS goals came in a game where they were outplayed, but still got the win.
Surprises followed with newly-promoted Åtvidaberg winning their first games (including a 5-0 destruction of Malmo - a top side in the last 2 years), whilst the Stockholm side Djurgården are struggling (again) after only one win, whereas a revived AIK team are now a close third behind Åtvidaberg and Elfsborg. Gothenburg always been a strong side for many years are in the bottom 2 - and still without a win.
There has been a big influx of second-rate African players, and some third-rate Brazilians, but they look quite good at this level.
There are a few new, younger Swedish lads on the up, but few of them are likely to make the grade in the short term.
It's early days yet, and Swedish teams often take a turn for the worse / or sometimes the better ..after the short summer break in June.
One interesting Swede to watch is John Guidetti. Still a teenager, he started with BP in Stockholm and was signed for Man. City's youth side then loaned to Feyernord in Holland where he has just scored his 20th goal. Certainly one for NA to look at - if he doesn't make the cut at City.
Superettan (which is the NPC div 2 set-up) is full of established old clubs who have fallen on hard times . Clubs like Öster, Brage, Trelleborg, Degefors and Ljungskilje were all in the top flight in recent history. As were famed Stockholm side Hammarby, and 36 year old Michael Svensson's Halmstad side who were relegated last year.
After his short flirt with coaching, Michael has gone back to playing in central defence, which he can still do well at this level.
More updates - as and when .
Allsvenskan (that's Prem. over here ) ..Teams have now played 4 games, the first two weeks ago began with some teams brushing newly-fallen snow off the pitches, with Elfsborg (thats Anders Svensson's mob -
he's 36 this summer and still going strong) winning 2-1. Both AS goals came in a game where they were outplayed, but still got the win.
Surprises followed with newly-promoted Åtvidaberg winning their first games (including a 5-0 destruction of Malmo - a top side in the last 2 years), whilst the Stockholm side Djurgården are struggling (again) after only one win, whereas a revived AIK team are now a close third behind Åtvidaberg and Elfsborg. Gothenburg always been a strong side for many years are in the bottom 2 - and still without a win.
There has been a big influx of second-rate African players, and some third-rate Brazilians, but they look quite good at this level.
There are a few new, younger Swedish lads on the up, but few of them are likely to make the grade in the short term.
It's early days yet, and Swedish teams often take a turn for the worse / or sometimes the better ..after the short summer break in June.
One interesting Swede to watch is John Guidetti. Still a teenager, he started with BP in Stockholm and was signed for Man. City's youth side then loaned to Feyernord in Holland where he has just scored his 20th goal. Certainly one for NA to look at - if he doesn't make the cut at City.
Superettan (which is the NPC div 2 set-up) is full of established old clubs who have fallen on hard times . Clubs like Öster, Brage, Trelleborg, Degefors and Ljungskilje were all in the top flight in recent history. As were famed Stockholm side Hammarby, and 36 year old Michael Svensson's Halmstad side who were relegated last year.
After his short flirt with coaching, Michael has gone back to playing in central defence, which he can still do well at this level.
More updates - as and when .