Considering that the teams went into the match as two of Allsvenskan's three (Mjällby) most offensively effective teams – 15 goals each in seven games – it was almost guaranteed to provide goal guarantees.
And what happened?
It exploded immediately. Norrköping's Isak Andri Sigurgeirsson fired a projectile from distance just after a quarter of an hour.
I just thought about shooting directly, says the young Icelander about his second goal this spring.
Better Self-Confidence
He has also provided four goal-scoring passes.
I have much more self-confidence this year than last year. There's a new coach (Martin Falk instead of Andreas Alm) and I've started more matches. It means a lot, he says to Max at halftime.
But the goal didn't stand as the only one during the first 45 minutes. Montander Madjed's goal was fully on par with Sigurgeirsson's – also from distance and unstoppable.
When asked by the broadcasting TV company Max if it was his most beautiful Allsvenskan goal, he didn't hesitate.
Definitely. I get the ball and then I get it back in some weird way and then I score, says Madjed.
David Andersson had no chance. The equalizer bored its way high behind Norrköping goalkeeper.
Chance-Rich After the Break
Norrköping's Max Watson thumped a ball into the post early after the break, whereupon Madjed hit the crossbar, and his substitute Abdelrahman Boudah headed into the crossbar when Hammarby lay on constant and intense pressure for the goal that didn't come.
Norrköping, who had struggled defensively in several games, held it together at the back.
We created enough to score goals, but the sharpness wasn't there today, says Hammarby's team captain Nahir Besara to Max.
Instead, substitute Tim Prica had the opportunity to decide the match for Norrköping in the seventh and next-to-last added minute, but in a free position, he shot outside.
Hammarby is second in the series, three points behind leading AIK. Norrköping lies seventh in the table.
Malmö FF shook off the home loss last time against BP and made 4–1 away against Degerfors. Lasse Johnsen (penalty), Emmanuel Ekong, Hugo Bolin, and Anders Christiansen scored.
Newcomer Öster fell again, now at home against Elfsborg. Sebastian Holmén scored the match's only goal.
