After Sunday’s early results gone the sky blowing way defeated MFF AIK 3-2 – and became the first team in eleven years to defend a national championship in football.
One should not underestimate the universe’s penchant for irony.
When Malmo FF finally secured the gold, they did it on Friends Arena and AIK – who as recently as a couple of rounds ago in the most challenging for the league winner – had to leave their home as losers, with hanging heads and outside a European place.
Earlier on Sunday had IFK Norrköping raked the way to Lennart Johansson trophy for MFF by defeating a pale IFK Gothenburg 3-0. The distance between one Malmö and Gothenburg was the runner-up with nine points with three rounds remaining, and all that was required of the MFF was that they lost.
2200 malmöiter had made their way to Solna to ensure that the gold which in many respects been “Himma” a long time, finally got to go home even in theory. And the question is whether or not gold planet from Bromma to Malmö should stopover in Norrköping with some kind of thank-you gift.
when the first ball fell into Solna after 50 minutes of play, it was through the mind of Isaac Kiese Thelin – new acquisition that would connect to the MFF first postseason but Norrköping last summer agreed to release after World Cup break.
Magnus Eriksson, who scored the free kick that reached Kiese Thelin, then shot into 2-0 six minutes into the second half.
Certainly reduced AIK’s Nabil Bahoui in 67 minutes and equalized in the 85th with a great free kick. But it was not enough.
Less than a minute after AIK’s acknowledgment pressed Markus Rosenberg in 3-2.
Defending a national championship in men’s Premier League is not easy. Last club to do it was Djurgården seasons in 2002 and 2003.
A lot has happened since Malmö for just under a year ago seized Lennart Johansson trophy. Team captain Jiloan Hamad left for German Hoffenheim. Gold’s coach Richard Norling resigned and moved to Norway. The goalkeeper Johan Dahlin went to Turkey, center-back Erik Friberg to Italy. Add to that a cruciate ligament
But coach Åge Hareide has managed to fend off all that and built a team, led by returning Swede Markus Rosenberg, not left table top a single second of the season.
Now only gold party.
AIK coach Andreas Alm began the press conference by by congratulating Malmo FF to the gold.
– I congratulate Age (Hareide) and whole spelartrupen and perhaps especially Malmö club, which has made it grand to take a second national championship.
Until a few rounds ago was AIK with and challenged about the gold but failed several times, like IFK Gothenburg against IFK Norrköping, to take advantage of the opportunities that were offered to reduce the gap at the top.
– All the positions we have had when we have fallen through as it has been so obvious since Malmö samtidgt lost. Right now it’s a big difference. But if we AIK must do our thing fully, I’m not sure of the future.
– It’s always special to win and put an end to a long season. It’s been a long season with the Premier League and preparations for the European Games and the Champions League. Now we’ve done that and we win, winning the gold medal, says Malmo FF’s gold coach Åge Hareide.
Malmo FF during the season put an end to two long-standing suites in Swedish football. Secondly became man first Swedish men’s team in 14 years to reach the Champions League, and the first club in eleven years that froze be a national championship on the men’s side.
– It feels like we have lifted us and come across an obstacle which before was high, says Hareide.
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