Kalmar Södra v IFK Borgholm, Swedish tier 6

Kalmar Södra IF 3-3 IFK Borgholm

A 20 minute bus ride from home takes me to the charming ground of Kalmar Södra IF, nicknamed Skyttis. The setting is rustic despite being just across the road from the regional hospital. Today's match is the first of the new season for the home club whilst the visitors from the neighbouring island of Öland, IFK Borgholm, have started the season with a defeat. Kalmar Södra, like most clubs here, are far more than just a senior team. They have boys' and girls' teams at all levels as well as senior mens' and womens' teams. At the senior level they have spent most of their existence since 1945 in the lower leagues. I've been here a few times and always enjoy the laid-back atmosphere among the trees.

The ground

As you can see it's a perfect setting for an afternoon match in the sunshine. Since football is a summer sport over here the atmosphere is generally relaxed as supporters sit in the sunshine with a cold drink or an ice cream. A far cry from the bitterly cold and wet afternoons I was brought up on back in Scotland. Summer football in the lower leagues here reminds me a bit of watching village cricket and although there are nearly always one or two vociferous guys in the crowd, it's generally very peaceful. 

Skyttis has its changing rooms, kiosk and a sturdy wooden stand on one side and that's where everyone gathers. I counted today's crowd at around 110 with a few away fans at the top of the stand. There are some club buildings at the far end but little else. One feature of all grounds here is a match clock, often digital as here. I'm amazed that so few clubs in the UK have this feature.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the ground is its wonderful retro kiosk that looks unchanged since the fifties or sixties. The selection is limited but I love the building and it is clearly lovingly cared for.

See location on map.

The match

A very enjoyable game for a neutral like me but I can understand the home fans' frustration after their team gave away a comfortable 3-1 lead in the last ten minutes. But with six goals and plenty of chances at both ends I certainly got value for my 50 kronor entry (about £3.90). Kalmar took the lead in the 8th minute with a nicely placed shot from the edge of the box by Emanuel Allvin and seemed quite comfortable until they conceded a controversial penalty after 33 minutes when a shot hit the hand of a home defender who didn't look as if he could have avoided it. Since there was no programme or even announcements I don't know who scored for Borgholm except it was number 8.

Kalmar replied immediately with a lovely breakaway goal from the impressive Kalle Mörck and at the break it was 2-1. Ten minutes into the second half and it looked as if Kalmar had done the business with a lovely finish in the box by Kim Borgebäck. Borgholm had their chances including one off the post but couldn't break through until the 80th minute when a corner from the left was parried by the home keeper and then headed in at close range. Things got a bit frantic and a few minutes later Borgholm equalised on a nice breakaway and that was that. Just to finish things off a home player got sent off after receiving a second yellow card.

Entertaining stuff but a very frustrating day for the home fans. They had three points in the bag but couldn't shut up shop at the bag and paid dearly. Anopther fun day in the sun for me and it's now time to scan the fixtures for my next outing.