In traditional style, the Hammarby fans marched from the area around Medborgarplatsen on Södermalm, over Skanstullsbron and all the way to the arena before the Allsvenskan premiere. And just like usual, the supporters closed ranks.
Up to 15,000 supporters walked the nearly three kilometers to support their team. And during the match, they would not be disappointed.
Hammarby was the better team throughout the match and won comfortably with 4–0.
We're playing at an incredibly high level. The feeling is that the first half is the best we've done during my time here, in all aspects, says Hammarby's coach Kim Hellberg.
Thus, they got their revenge on "Blåvitt", with the same score as they lost with in the Swedish Cup three weeks ago.
All praise to my players. It's a textbook example of how you bounce back from a performance that wasn't good enough, he continues.
On the other hand, IFK Göteborg's coach, Stefan Billborn, was less pleased.
If we make a thorough analysis of the match, we'll have to sit here all week. I can only conclude that we weren't prepared to come here and play. We're not doing what we've set out to do, he says.
"Hard to describe"
The season's first goal celebration for the home team only took until the 21st minute. Jusuf Erabi took a shot that was blocked by a Blåvitt defender. Then, Markus Karlsson appeared on cue, took care of the ball, and rolled in "Bajen's" first goal of the season.
A feeling that was hard to put into words.
It's hard to describe, but it's incredible. It's really nice, says Karlsson to Max.
But it would get even better before the break.
Held on comfortably
Just before halftime, Shaquille Pinas, Paulos Abraham, and Sebastian Tounekti displayed some fine combination play, which led to a perfectly weighted pass, which Erabi could slot in.
And if the arena didn't explode at the first goal, it certainly did at the second.
No away goal came in the second half, instead, Nahir Besara could roll in 3–0, and Simon Strand chipped in the final score 4–0 in a very cool way, and Hammarby took the season's first three points comfortably.
