the Swedish Football season 2012

[david in sweden]

.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 .

Edited 17 April, 2012 by david in sweden

[The Majestic Channon]

Not forgetting the local to me Vittsjö GIK making the Damallsvenskan for the first time ever

 

I'm going to get over and see Helsingborg play again this season, the skåne derby is quite appealling.

[david in sweden]

FIRST UPDATE; May 2nd.

 

as I have written many times before, I ignore league tables until after game 6 (by then the shocks are over, and the worst has become apparant).

 

newly-promoted Åtvidaberg topped the table after winning their first three...now reality has set in ...and they have lost their last 3.

 

Elfsborg struggled in their first two games, but have now won FOUR on the trot and sit three points clear at the top of the table with Anders Svensson (will be 36 in july)... and still going strong.

 

Stockholm side AIK has put some good results together and sit well-placed near the top, whilst rival Djurgården fans are looking for the black armbands in preparation for a fearful season near the bottom again. Things are worse on the west coast for Gothenburg (formerly one of the best club sides) and fans are only going out at nights - for fear of being ridiculed by players in their women's side.

 

There is a lot of media interest in Superettan, the Swedish Championship level) where there are half a dozen former top sides, and Stockholm-based Hammarby are unbeaten at the top and Brommapojkarna have made a good start too, as have Michael Svensson's Halmstad outfit.

 

more info. as and when.

Edited 2 May, 2012 by david in sweden

[svetigpung]

been to a few IFK games this season and i can tell you that the standard of football being played in the Allsvenskan is getting poorer each year. So uninspiring.

theres no tempo , no attacking football , no real tackling, plenty of wayward passes , no real crowds and NO atmosphere. there never really has been , but dra åt helvete , its getting more and more dull by the game.

 

What annoys me even more is the way they treat a game of football. There is no real match day , no saturday 3pm. could be sat, sun, mon, tues, friday, whenever. Youngsters walking around selling snacks and popcorn during the game! Has someone banned all away supporters? and everythings being played on artificial surfaces.

[david in sweden]

of course the artificial surfaces are to help solve the climatic problem...3 foot of snow in winter doesn't help keeping pitches in trim - does it ?

 

I agree the standard isn't what it was, and partly because many of the best talents are being bought up quickly by foreign clubs. At the moment, there are at least half-a-dozen Swedish players in teams at the top of the Dutch league, as well as a few in Germany and other countries. Only the better ones may get to play in the Prem. and rumour has it Man.U will buy one of the Elm brothers (Rasmus)? ...in the summer.

 

John Guidetti left Sweden as a 17 y.o and played through Man.City's youth squads and is presently on loan to Feyenoord and has around 20 goals to date.

 

It's a transitional period in the Swedish side at the moment, a few old heads still around, and the youngsters " aren't quite there " yet.

Still ..it will be interesting in Euros as I always hate it when Sweden and England are in the same group - something always goes wrong !

Edited 9 May, 2012 by david in sweden

[david in sweden]

Elfsborg are thriving on their midfield successes with Anders Svensson leading the action.

After a early defeat, they have had SEVEN straight wins and lead Malmö by 7 points, after a 1-0 win in the derby game with Gothenburg.

 

Most of the rest follow the Swedish social edict of " equality" in everything, and an amazing number of games have finished 1-1.

Gothenburg have gained a few points but still sit uncomfortably (for them) mid table, and Djurgården are still in deep trouble after the local derby with 4th placed AIK - when they conceded an 89th min. own goal to send both sets of supporters home miserable.

 

Bottom club Örebro have yet to win a game, and sit poorly in the drop zone together with Gefle and newly-promoted Syrianska.

 

A quick thanks to those who have PM'd / e-mailed me with interest in the recent past.