Sweden April 2008

Trelleborgs v Malmo
before a good crowd of c. 7000 and a large contingent of away support, complete with flags, this local Derby produced an ok but goalless game. Trelleborgs had less possession but produced the better chances.
They also defended very well against the favoured Malmo team who struggled to create a telling opportunity.

A brisk walk (it got cold) to the town centre where its very quiet - the locals mostly being at home by 9pm.

Bus then train , via Malmo to Gothenburg.

From a central Gothenburg hotel it is easy enough to walk to the old & new Ullevi stadiums , to see progress at the Gamla Ullevi (where the rebuild is progressing well) and walk on to the nearby Valhalla ground for :-

Örgryte v Limhamn Bunkeflo in the Superettan (2nd level).

Played in the small Valhalla stadium whilst Gamla Ullevi (will it be called new-old Ullevi after the reconstruction ?) is being redeveloped this game produced another 0-0 draw. Again both teams were well organised , generally good defensively but created few clear cut chances. A decent crowd of around 2500 watched in cold but dry conditions.

But there is no doubt it is an attractive city with its pubs and restaurants and a nice enclosed shopping area.

As you would expect in such a Scandanavian city the transport structure is excellent.
Some things are free - a plethora of newspapers but most things are expensive not least caipirinhna at 92 SEk and beer.

On a controversial fashion note - maybe the blonde girls should checkout their counterparts in Moscow as i think , dare i say it, the standard long blonde hair-look needs updating.

Anyway onto Degerfors, some 3 hours or so by train from Gothenburg, an industrial town of somewhat moderate appearance.

But they have the biggest stadium in the Superettan - listed as a rather generous 15000. There were over 2000 for the game vs Sirius (from Upsalla)

The local 'ultras' produced some fireworks outside but it was Sirius who produced the fireworks on the pitch winning very convincing 5-1 . Great movement and passing - they should do well on this performance. Not much the Degerfors coach could do - he would need to be Gunnar Nordahl, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Tord Grip (all ex-Degerfors coaches) rolled into one to have done something about their situation.

Back to the b& b, via the local bar, where they have numerous Degerfors team pictures but its very subdued after the comprehensive defeat.

Return to Malmo after some 5 and a half hours on the train.

There it was cold and wet for my fourth (and last) game of this trip.

Next to the existing ground is rising up another impressive, this time more traditional looking, stadium.

But for the moment Malmo play in the original stadium & on this night played much better than at Trelleborgs. Helped by an early goal & a generally controlled effort they went to win 2-0 against a limited Gefle.

Liberian defender Jimmy Dixon got the second goal & Malmo should have had a few more.

Caipirinhas = 1 (costly) and Goths - just a few in , appropriately, Gothenburg.


more photos at http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/40729665