Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

"It's like playing junior football"

Experienced Simon Thern secured a penalty away against league leaders Malmö FF. Then Värnamo could take an important point in the relegation battle, which the Smålanders do not experience as pressing. In IFK Värnamo, there is no pressure. It's like playing junior football, says the 32-year-old.

» Updated: 08 October 2024, 06:46

» Published: 06 October 2024

"It's like playing junior football"
Photo: Andreas Hillergren/TT

With three minutes left to play of regular time, Värnamo veteran Simon Thern – in MFF 2012–2014 – was held back by Malmö's 18-year-old substitute Zakaria Loukili on a corner. Referee Adi Aganovic did not hesitate and blew for a penalty.

It's crystal clear. It's a guy who hasn't been around for so long against a guy who has been around a bit longer, says 32-year-old Thern.

If you mark on the right side, you can pull quite a lot and grab someone pretty hard. If you come on the wrong side and don't let go, it's a penalty. You can't defend by hanging behind someone when the referee is four meters away, continues the Värnamo player.

The penalty was calmly converted by Ajdin Zeljkovic into the goal behind Malmö goalkeeper Ricardo Friedrich, resulting in a final score of 1–1.

Värnamo now has a two-point gap to Halmstad for the qualifying spot and a three-point gap to second-to-last Kalmar. The distance to bottom-placed Västerås is six points with four matches left to play.

We've made fine performances at the end, taking points against both Djurgården and Malmö. I have great faith that we'll get through this, says Simon Thern.

"Can't be compared"

However, there is no pressing situation for the players in Värnamo, according to the midfielder.

In IFK Värnamo, there is no pressure. It's not like playing for Malmö FF, IFK Göteborg, or IFK Norrköping, says Thern, who has played for all the clubs he mentions.

There are no external circumstances. It's like playing junior football when you play for IFK Värnamo. There's no one who will wish you out of your life if you miss a pass. It can't be compared, he continues.

  1. IFK Göteborg, 30 points (–7 in goal difference)

Remaining matches: AIK (h), Malmö FF (a), Kalmar (h), Mjällby (a).

  1. IFK Norrköping 27 points (–21)

Remaining matches: Brommapojkarna (h), Värnamo (a), AIK (h), Djurgården (a).

  1. Värnamo, 26 points (–10)

Remaining matches: Gais (a), Norrköping (h), Brommapojkarna (a), Elfsborg (h).

  1. Halmstad, 24 points (–18).

Remaining matches: Sirius (h), Häcken (a), Djurgården (h), AIK (a).

  1. Kalmar, 23 points (–19)

Remaining matches: Mjällby (h), Brommapojkarna (a), IFK Göteborg (a), Häcken (h).

  1. Västerås, 19 points (–16)

Remaining matches: Malmö FF (h), Djurgården (a), Elfsborg (a), Hammarby (h).

Teams in 15th and 16th place are relegated to Superettan. The team in 14th place will qualify against the third-place team in Superettan over two legs.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf
1 MIN READ

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One
2 MIN READ

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one
1 MIN READ

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing
1 MIN READ

Own goal not investigated as suspected match-fixing

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"
2 MIN READ

The Back Icon Leaves AIK: "An Incredible Journey"

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"
3 MIN READ

Tomasson on Gyökeres: "He's a bulldozer"

City forced to pay millions to star
1 MIN READ

City forced to pay millions to star

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"
3 MIN READ

Elanga blasts: "Football is brutal"

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden
1 MIN READ

The Talent Chooses Turkey Over Sweden

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"
3 MIN READ

The Star on Sorrow: "One of My Biggest Supporters"

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"
1 MIN READ

Signell axes icons: "Must think about the future"

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber
1 MIN READ

Finnish F1 star gets the cold shoulder from Sauber

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"
2 MIN READ

The Gold Coach Fired: "Don't Care About the Supporters"

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck
2 MIN READ

Nasty injury in NHL – got puck on the neck

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury
1 MIN READ

First NHL goal for Sundqvist after severe injury

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"
3 MIN READ

The Dream Come True: "Wanted to be a Boy"

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting
2 MIN READ

Hat-trick by Gyökeres – crazy turnaround by Sporting

Luleå penalized with flag ban – away games
1 MIN READ

Luleå penalized with flag ban – away games

Sabalenka wins as Swiatek loses
1 MIN READ

Sabalenka wins as Swiatek loses

Årsjö on the pain: "In a different way now, unfortunately"
2 MIN READ

Årsjö on the pain: "In a different way now, unfortunately"