Sweden round-up: Relegation worries eased

AIK Solna and Halmstads BK moved into mid-table safety after victories today while Kalmar FF gave their survival hopes a boost with a win against GIF Sundsvall.

Comfortable win
AIK, a team who had started the season with title ambitions, warmed up for Thursday’s UEFA Cup first round second-leg match against Fenerbahçe SK with a home match against Landskrona BoIS at Råsunda stadium. Landskrona, who are on a poor run of form, were desperate to get back to winning ways in order to avoid getting sucked into the relegation battle. AIK got off to a blistering start though and during the first fifteen minutes of the game Pär Nilsson and Daniel Hoch had put the troubled giants 2-0 up. AIK stepped up a gear after the break and added a third through Krister Nordin. Mathias Eklund hit a consolation for the visitors but it was too little too late.

Unexpected battle
Halmstad faced IFK Göteborg on a high after a six-game unbeaten run and continued that with a 2-1 home success. The hosts scored twice in the first 30 minutes and never looked back. Göteborg remain firmly in trouble and are precariously placed in the relegation play-off spot.

Alive and kicking
In Sunday’s final game, Kalmar showed a fighting spirit despite occupying last place in the division to beat Sundsvall 3-1. They dominated the first half against Sundsvall and Daniel Mobæck scored a hat-trick before half-time to put the match beyond any doubt.

Destined for relegation
Kalmar, who looked destined for relegation just three rounds ago, are now only three points behind Göteborg in 12th place. "I think we can do it," said Mobæck. "We are playing Halmstad, IFK and [IF] Elfsborg and that gives us ample opportunities to sort it. We'll be all right."