AIK v Hammarby IF, Swedish Allsvenskan

 

AIK 3-2 Hammarby IF
Swedish Allsvenskan, tier 1
Sunday 30 August, 14:00 kick-off
Strawberry Arena, Stockholm
Crowd: 47,437

My first visit to the national arena and a chance to experience one of the hottest derbies in Europe between AIK from the north of the city and rivals Hammarby on the south side. Stockholm derbies have become increasingly intense over the last 20 years or so and there are always at least six of them per season because the city is also home to the third candidate for best in town, Djurgården, who also have a large and fanatical following. When I first moved up to the Stockholm area at the end of the 1980s Swedish football was fairly low-key and I remember Stockholm derbies in front of barely 10,000 fans. Since then new much bigger stadia have been built and the spread of fan culture and intensive media coverage have meant that average crowds have mushroomed. Today the Stockholm derbies are up there with many of the biggest in Europe and the atmosphere and passion is hard to beat.

AIK and Hammarby both have a long and successful history with a host of players who have represented Sweden on the international stage. Rather than write the history here I refer you to the Wikipedia pages for AIK and Hammarby. Both clubs have been successful in other sports, notably ice-hockey, bandy and handball with both men's and women's teams as well as flourishing youth programmes. They also have considerable financial clout but money doesn't always buy success and no club has really dominated Swedish football with regular title wins going to smaller clubs. 

This was a big game for both clubs as they fight to keep contact with runaway leaders Sirius from Uppsala. Hammarby have pulled closer to the top and are only 6 points behind the leaders who have lost form in recent weeks losing their last two matches. I saw Hammarby soundly beating Kalmar FF only a couple of weeks ago and they looked impressive with incisive passing and clinical finishing. AIK are also on a winning streak and if they keep winning they could also move into the title race if the leaders lose more ground. Expectations were therefore high for this one and the ground was virtually sold out apart from the sections around the away fans that were empty for security reasons.

The ground

An extremely impressive arena, especially when full, with a retractable roof and good views for everyone. I sat way up at the top of the third tier and it reminded me of other grounds where I have been perched at bird's eye level, eg Real Madrid and Bilbao. It is situated just beside the biggest shopping mall in Scandinavia and is close to both commuter and metro stations. From the outside it looks more like a shopping mall than a football ground and the entrance hall reminded me of an airport. But once you climb up and enter the stadium the view is spectacular and the fans were in full voice well before the start.

The tifos are world class and the noise level was constant all the way. I admit I wasn't really following the play for the opening minutes, being more caught up with just taking in the atmosphere. A stark contrast to the matches I usually write about here! From a village derby in front of 89 people last Tuesday to this. I do enjoy the big match atmosphere now and again but my heart is with the lower leagues.

The catering in the ground was less impressive as at almost all Swedish grounds. If you don't care for boring hotdogs, popcorn, assorted sweets, coffee and low alcohol beer then there's nothing for you. However the mall next door is full of all sorts of restaurants and fast-food joints so you eat before the game.

The game

Watch highlights here:

This one had everything: intense atmosphere, beautiful goals, positive football, missed penalty, heroes and villains. Hammarby should have wrapped up the points in the second half but although they had plenty of chances they couldn't finish or were foiled by AIK's keeper Nordfeldt who provided the inspiration for a remarkable comeback. Hammarby haven't beaten AIK away since 2017 and that losing streak was extended today.

The first half belonged to the guests in terms of possession and chances but AIK looked dangerous on the break. There was plenty of passion and commitment on show and although there were plenty of tough tackles the game never really got dirty and the referee handled the match in an exemplary manner. Hammarby took the lead after 14 minutes when a shot from Frank Junior Adjei was deflected into the net. The away end erupted but their joy was short-lived when AIK equalised only two minutes later. Kevin Filling beat a defender on the left and sent in a perfect cross to the far post where Linus Carlstrand was on hand to fire home on the volley. I have seen Carlstrand in action for his former club Östers IF several times and it was no surprise when he was snapped up by a bigger club. Since coming to Stockholm a few weeks ago he has now scored five goals and his future looks very bright.

Nordfeldt saves the Hammaby penalty

Shortly afterwards, in the 26th minute, Hammarby were awarded a rather soft penalty. Former AIK striker Paulos Abraham bravely stepped up to take it in front of the jeering AIK ultras and the kick was well saved by Nordfeldt. Victor Lind shot the rebound which hit the keeper's leg and on to the post. It looked like all square at the break but right at the end Hammarby retook the lead when a poor pass from Nordfeldt was intercepted and Abraham happily accepted the gift and slotted home. Revenge for his penalty miss! I get so tired of the modern "tactic" of playing out from the back especially with nippy forwards breathing down your neck. Just boot it up the park!

The intensity continued into the second half and Hammarby had several chances to increase their lead but then after 70 minutes AIK broke away to equalise with good work once again on the left from Kevin Filling and his pass into the middle was fired home by Axel Kouamé. The home fans' joy was ramped up to maximum with about 8 minutes left when a beautiful cross was smashed into the net on the volley by 19 year old substitute Sixten Gustafsson. He is a dedicated AIK fan and used to stand with the ultras and has now become a hero. He celebrated appropriately in front of his gang and was immediately in front of the TV cameras for an on-pitch interview at the end. The visitors had several near misses but some heroic saves by Nordfeldt kept them out.

To sum up, an excellent match that had everything a fan could demand. Hammarby are still a threat at the top but leaders Sirius now have the chance to stretch their lead to 9 points if they win their Monday meeting at home to Malmö FF. By amazing coincidence that is where I will be for my next post. Stay tuned!