IFK Göteborg the toast of Sweden
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Article summary
IFK Göteborg defeated Trelleborgs FF 2-0 to clinch their first Swedish crown since 1996 as Djurgårdens IF FF and Kalmar FF saw their hopes dashed on Sunday.
Article body
IFK Göteborg defeated Trelleborgs FF 2-0 on Sunday to clinch their first Swedish title since 1996. Djurgårdens IF FF were level on points with IFK going into today's dramatic final day but slipped to a shock home defeat against the bottom club Brommapojkarna, while Kalmar FF's Allsvenkan hopes were dashed by the Gothenburg club's victory despite beating AIK Solna 2-0 to finish as runners-up.
Nerves settled
With three clubs in contention a positive start was vital in all three of those matches, and IFK were able to breathe easier after Tomas Olsson struck after seven minutes against Trelleborg. That lead was doubled on 34 minutes when Magnus Johansson - one of three survivors from that 1996 vintage - clipped a delicate cross to man of the match Pontus Wernbloom who headed into the net.
Kalmar climb
With Djurgården's game scoreless at the interval, IFK knew their destiny was in their own hands, and there were few scares as they saw out time. That was not the case for Djurgården, though, as a day full of promise ended in disappointment following their loss to Brommapojkarna - Olof Guterstam scoring the only goal in the 77th minute. That strike cost them second spot, too, as Patrik Ingelsten (48) and Cesar Santín 73 scored without reply for Kalmar.
'Outstanding victory'
Johansson, 35, said: "This is an outstanding victory - the best I've ever experienced. We came into this season without any pressure and we've clinched the title." Stefan Rehn, who coached IFK to glory in tandem with Jonas Ohlsson, added: "It's wonderful, fantastic. I'm so proud of our young team."
Omotoyossi mark
Elsewhere, Rasak Omotoyossi scored once for Helsingborgs IF in their amazing 9-0 victory against Halmstads BK to finish as the league's 14-goal top scorer along with former IFK striker Marcus Berg, now of FC Groningen. Brommapojkarna are the only team to be relegated as the Allsvenskan will increase to 16 teams from 14 next year. IFK Norrköping, GIF Sundsvall and Ljungskile SK will be promoted from the second tier.