Sweden round-up: Unhappy return for Cratz

Reigning Swedish first division champions Hammarby IF FF comfortably defeated Helsingborgs IF 3-1 last night, ensuring there was no triumphant return to the Söderstadion for former coach Sören Cratz.

Standing ovation
Cratz, who led Hammarby to the Swedish title for the first time in their 104-year history last season, received a standing ovation before and after the match – but inside knowledge counted for little. The hosts dominated from the off, Kennedy Bakircioglü striking on seven minutes with his eighth goal of the season.

Brilliant free-kick
With striker Pablo Piñones-Arce rampant, the Helsingborg defence did well to put off conceding the second until the 42nd minute, when Bakircioglü was again on target, this time with a brilliant free-kick into the top corner.

Arce makes sure
Helsingborg regrouped at the start of the second half and pulled one back through Jesper Jansson on 60 minutes. Buoyed by the breakthrough, the visitors moved forward with greater confidence, but this evaporated when the pacy Piñones-Arce hit the third on the counter with 22 minutes to go.

Mixed emotions
Cratz was delighted by the welcome but disappointed by the result. “I’m grateful and touched,” he said. “But I can’t really be too happy with the display.”