Swedish kick-off......

[david in sweden]

After that long, boring winter, which was neither very cold or snowy - and full of Ice Hockey games ....at last ...the football season has arrived in Sweden.

 

The kick-off this weekend, and no game with more interest than the return of the Stockholm side Hammarby to the Allsvenskan (read Premiership).

Hammarby's club history might (to some) seem to reflect that of the Saints. An inner city club, who were for many years based at the (now demolished ) Söderstadion, a delapidated arena (not disimilar to The Dell before renovation), which they held as those own for decades past.

 

Never a big trophy-winning side, (though they did manage to win a title and a cup about once every decade) and like Saints, were relegated a couple of times but fought their way back up to the top tier last season, with their fanatical supporters who are amongst the most vociferous and dedicated in the country.

 

Twice last season they broke the ground record at the newly-built Tele2 Arena which accomodates over 30,000 and which they controversely share with their biggest rivals Djurgården (Can you imagine Saints and Pompey sharing the same stadium, now both clubs want to claim it as " their own ").

 

Today Hammarby start the season at home against one of their "bogey sides" Häcken, who travel up to Stockholm from the other side of the country.

There's sure to be a capacity crowd - yet again, and if they get past; the fan rivalry, the occasional fights and the traditional display of fireworks on the terraces that accompany such games.... then the fans maybe in for a great game .....result later.

 

Of course, neither of these sides is likely to win anything this season, especially as Malmö have taken the title for the last couple of years and gave a good showing in the group stages of the Champions League, and show no signs of weakening, but they'll be some good summer games in between.

 

Most of the former Swedish players who were in the Saints' squad 10 years ago have retired into obscurity - except Anders Svensson turns 39 in July. Although he rarely plays full 90 minute games now, his commanding presence has held the Elfsborg midfield together on a few occasions in recent years.

His Elfsborg side often resemble an Arsenal side who play well-organised, controlled football ..but are never quite good enough to win anything.

 

So..it's back to the real season for all football fans, although to be fair, the overall standard is no better than the top end of the Championship these days, but you can be sure most games will be pretty entertaining.