Kalmar FF 2-1 Degerfors IF
Saturday 23 May 2026, 15:00 kick-off
Swedish Allsvenskan (tier 1)
Guldfågeln Arena, Kalmar
Crowd: 4014
My local team Kalmar FF are back in the top flight after a season downstairs, Superettan. I wrote a post about them back in 2023 (see here) and as far as the ground is concerned nothing has really changed. Kalmar have made a shaky start to the season with some promising signs now and again but only 7 points from eight games so far. The visitors Degerfors from central Sweden are only two places above Kalmar on 9 points.Both teams are likely to be in the lower half of the league table.
I wrote about Kalmar FF's history last time but can mention again their incredible achievement of becoming Swedish champions in 2008 with solid teamwork and without any highly paid stars. That's one thing I love about football here - that almost any team can win the league and in recent seasons we're seen smaller teams like Mjällby, Häcken and Elfsborg taking the title and putting the big guns in their place. This season Sirius from the city of Uppsala are setting the pace and could well go all the way unless continental clubs entice their key players away in the summer.
Kalmar have had some lean seasons recently resulting in relegation in 2024. Admittedly it's not surprising for a town with around 35,000 inhabitants - they have achieved a lot. I must admit I have found it tough following them since they seem to prefer to play rather negative possession football - passing from side to side and backwards for long periods with few attempts on goal. There are signs that they are trying to play a more attractive attacking game but it only comes in short bursts.
Degerfors are an admirable phenomenon in Swedish football. The town is dominated by its ironworks and has only just over 7,000 inhabitants but Degerfors IF have probably put the town on the map more than the industry. Many home matches have crowds that represent over half the population! They have played 29 seasons in the top league and few teams look forwards to playing them at their home ground.
The ground
As described previously a nice modern, fully enclosed ground with good views for all. The capacity of around 12,000 is seldom challenged and today's attendance of just over 4,000 is fairly typical unless they play a team with a big following. The away end was virtually empty with about 30 intrepid away fans making a bit of noise. The home fans have become more vocal in recent years and they sang and chanted all the way to the end. In general the atmosphere is very calm and family friendly. Not many people get too worked up.
Food and drink
As I wrote last time around it's standard Swedish football fare (hotdogs, popcorn, coffee, soft drinks, sweets). A bit more variety would be nice.
The match
Three vital points for the hosts though they had to work hard for them. Degerfors dominated the first 20 minutes and had some good chances forcing some fine saves from home keeper Brolin.. But as the half wore on Kalmar began to threaten with some good long range efforts. Finally the breakthrough came close to half time when a low cross from the left was missed by everyone except unmarked right back Rony Jansson who fired in the opener.
The second half started cautiously but then there were chances at both ends. After 67 minutes the hosts increased their lead with a lovely volley from Charlie Rosenqvist after a perfect cross from Rony Jansson on the right. That should have wrapped things up and Kalmar easily contained subsequent Degerfors pressure. They pulled a goal back through Pikkarainen after a goalmouth scramble but it was too late. A third win for the hosts and of course it's games like this that you simply have to win if you are going to stay up.
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