Kalmar seal maiden championship success

Kalmar FF claimed the Swedish title for the first time in the club's 98-year history on Sunday after earning the point they needed to secure the championship, drawing 2-2 at Halmstads BK on the final day of the season.

Nearest challengers
The result meant that title rivals IF Elfsborg could not overtake Kalmar, eventually finishing a point behind the new champions after defeating Gefle IF 2-0. Kalmar had been the league's pacesetters for much of the season with the Allsvenskan's top scorer, Patrik Ingelsten, very much to the fore. The 26-year-old striker registered again in the draw with Halmstad to take his impressive tally to 19 this year.

Relegation issues
While Kalmar celebrate their maiden title, one of Sweden's traditional powerhouses, IFK Norrköping, have lost their Allsvenskan status following just one season back in the top flight. GIF Sundsvall have also been demoted after suffering a 6-0 drubbing by Malmö FF. Ljungskile SK finished a place above and will play a two-legged play-off with IF Brommapojkarna – third in the Superettan – for a place in Sweden's top flight next year.