Unlikely Swedish champions Mjallby win at home as fans party / Photo: Jonathan NACKSTRAND - AFP
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Unlikely Swedish champions Mjallby win at home as fans party
Mjallby, who clinched their first Swedish title with an away win six days earlier, returned to their village home on Sunday and beat Norrkoping 2-1 in front of their celebrating fans.
It was a party atmosphere as the crowd chanted "Swedish champions, Swedish champions," at the club's windswept 6,000-seat Strandvallen stadium.
The ground sits on the edge of the Baltic fishing port of Hallevik, six kilometres from Mjallby. Both are part of the municipality of Solvesborg which has a population of just over 8,000.
"It's obvious you could call it a fairy tale, it's fantastic," said supporter Sven Olle Hjem, who came with his family.
"But we, who have been following Mjallby for a long time, always had the feeling it could happen, it's completely believable."
The relegation-threatened visitors took the lead with a 28th-minute goal from Christoffer Nyman but half-time substitute Tom Pettersson and striker Jacob Bergstrom scored in the second half to give the hosts victory in front of their jubilant fans.
"The whole village, the neighbouring village, is behind them, and it's important for us to be here," said Amanda Smedegard, wrapped in a yellow and black scarf.
Mjallby operate on a tight budget, which in 2024 stood at 84.7 million Swedish kronor ($9 million).
Malmo, who this season sit sixth in the standings 24 points behind Mjallby, spent eight times as much.
With two games still to play, the victory took Mjallby to 69 points, breaking the Allsvenskan record set by Malmo in 2010.
"We're becoming a bit well-known," said Britt-Marie Jonsson, a 64-year-old resident who was out shopping.
"I'm not interested in football, and yet I think it's great."
D.Gallaugher--NG
