After the spy scandal and the playoffs, it was time to play what is often called "the world's most expensive football match". A place in the Premier League is estimated to be worth around 2.5 billion kronor and it was, in the end, Hull and Middlesbrough who were contending for promotion.
Hull advanced after their semi-final win against Millwall, while Middlesbrough had actually lost to Southampton.
Filmed training
But after the infamous “Spygate” revelations, Southampton were eliminated - opening the door for Kim Hellberg’s Middlesbrough to play in the decisive final. Southampton were thought to have spied on and filmed Middlesbrough’s training ahead of the two-legged tie a couple of weeks ago and were thus eliminated.
As if the drama wasn't enough before the match, Hull's team bus was vandalized, according to Sky Sports.
Several windows were reportedly broken, but no one was on the bus at the time and the match started on time.
The start of the match saw Middlesbrough take the initiative. Hellberg's team took control immediately and put pressure on the opposition during the opening quarter of an hour. However, the first half ended goalless, 0–0.
Could have been second ever
The second half looked to be just as goalless and the score was still 0–0 as the match clock ticked towards extra time.
Then Hull striker Oliver McBurnie got on the end of a pass and scored the winning goal, to the wild joy of the orange-clad supporters. With the victory, Hull joins Coventry and Ipswich in England's top flight.
It is already clear that Wolverhampton and Burnley will be relegated. On Sunday it will be decided whether Tottenham or West Ham will be the third and final team to be relegated from the top flight.
Middlesbrough coach Kim Hellberg could have become the first Swedish head coach in the Premier League since Sven-Göran Eriksson coached Manchester City in 2007–2008.
