Malmö in pole position again

By Jan Juhlin

Champions Malmö FF are favourites to retain their Allsvenskan title when the new Swedish season kicks off on Saturday.

Rosenberg return
Tom Prahl's team edged out Halmstads BK by two points last season, and are further boosted by the return of Markus Rosenberg - top scorer in the 2004 campaign with 14 league goals - following a one-year loan at Halmstad. Furthermore, although Prahl has not been particularly active in the transfer market, former Swedish international Patrik Andersson should be back after injury ruined the defender's campaign last year.

'Work hard'
"I know we're seen as many as favourites, and we've got a good squad but we have to work hard to clinch the title," said Prahl. Malmö's main rivals would seem to be IFK Göteborg, under new coach Arne Erlandsen. A strong squad has been bolstered by young stars Adam Johansson and John Alvbåge and experienced striker Stefan Selakovic.

New stadium
IFK's Gamla Ullevi home - which they share with fellow Allsvenskan side Örgryte IS - will be demolished at the end of the season after 89 years and replaced by a new stadium. Initial plans suggest the new venue will hold 17,000 spectators, although officials are still debating whether to install grass or artificial turf. It is expected to be ready for the 2007 season.

Stockholm challenge
Stockholm sides Djurgårdens IF and Hammarby are also expected to challenge again, with the latter having signed Jeffrey Aubynn from Denmark's AGF Århus. Sriker Petter Andersson, who won his first full cap for Sweden on the pre-season tour to the United States, may well be the player to watch in 2005. Djurgården, champions in 2003 and 2004, have signed Jones Kusi-Asare and Feliciano Magro from Landskrona BoIS while former French international Ibrahim Ba will try to revitalise his career with the club.

Svensson return
Helsingborgs IF, IF Elfsborg and 2004 runners-up Halmstad look likely to miss out on the top four, with Helsingborg losing experienced midfield player Ulrik Jansson. In contrast, Elfsborg - who will play their home games at the new Borås Arena - have managed to lure back Swedish international Anders Svensson, although the departure of Lars Nilsson to SC Heerenveen has weakened the strike force. Halmstad, meanwhile, are still seeking a replacement for Rosenberg.

Brazilian trio
Despite losing Kusi-Asare and Feliciano Magro, Landskrona should still be strong enough to avoid relegation, while Kalmar FF have pinned their survival hopes on Brazilian trio Cesar Santin, Fabio Augusto and Dede. Xhevedet Lumnica has also joined.

Häcken in action
Örgryte, under former championship-winning coach Zoran Lukic will hope to avoid a repeat of last year's nail-biting relegation play-off, while newly promoted BK Häcken have been busy in the transfer market and director of sports Carl Fhager is adamant the team has what it takes to stay up, saying: "We have a solid financial situation and a squad. I'm sure we'll be fine." New coach Stefan Lundin has signed Teddy Lucic, Stig Töfting, Jonas Henriksson from Göteborg, and Örgryte's David Marek.

Season of struggle
Elsewhere, new GIF Sundsvall coach Jan Halvor Halvorsen has signed Lithuanian international Doanatas Vencevicius. Promoted sides Gefle IF and Assyriska Föreningen also look set for a season of struggle, although the latter should play some attacking football under new Portuguese coach José Morais.