When the referee blew the whistle to end the drawn match in Landskrona, the red and white jubilation finally erupted.
The Degerfors players jumped around in a big happy cluster before running off to one of the short sides to celebrate the advancement with the fans.
It's euphoria, it's completely fantastic. We've worked hard all season and shown that we're the best team, says Dijan Vukojevic to Max.
Became nervous
The goal-scoring striker gave Degerfors a dream start to the second half when he stylishly headed in 1-0 with his forehead in the 48th minute.
It became nervous anyway.
Robin Dzabic equalized in the 59th minute, and then Degerfors fought to hold on to the point that was required to secure play in Allsvenskan next season.
Landskrona came close, as when Philip Andersson nodded from close range. But Degerfors rode out the storm.
An incredible relief that we managed to tie it up today. I'm so damn proud of this team, says captain Sebastian Ohlsson to Max.
Degerfors grabbed hold of first place in Superettan via seven straight wins during the fall, which gave a dream scenario to secure advancement to Allsvenskan as early as last Tuesday.
Then the red and white victory train stalled.
Burned two match balls
In front of sold-out stands at Stora Valla, the home arena in the football-crazy little industrial town, Degerfors let a 1-0 lead slip to 1-2 in the derby against Örebro.
Last Sunday, the Värmland team burned another opportunity to score the match-winning goal when it ended 0-0 away against Varberg.
In Landskrona, it didn't become a win either. But 1-1 was enough to give Degerfors an unassailable lead over Landskrona and Öster (who await in the final round).
I'm incredibly happy, at the same time, you're a bit relieved too. We've had two match balls and missed, we were very keen to settle it so it wouldn't come down to the last match, says Degerfors sports manager Patrik Werner to Max.
The sojourn in Superettan thus became only one year for Degerfors, whose last Allsvenskan adventure lasted for three seasons.
We've probably learned from that and think we're better prepared now. But it remains to be seen next year, we shouldn't be cocky in any way. We know it's very tough in Allsvenskan, says Werner.
Founded: 1907.
Made debut in Allsvenskan: 1938.
Top Allsvenskan merits: Got "big silver" after second places in the 1940/41 and 1963 seasons.
Profiles throughout the years: Gunnar Nordahl, Tord Grip, Ralf Edström, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Olof Mellberg.
Total seasons in Allsvenskan: 32. The two most recent stints have lasted five (1993-1997) and three (2021-2023) seasons respectively.
