It was not entirely unexpected that it would be like this. But few had believed that it would go so fast for Malmö FF to take over the throne from Rosengård in the Scanian residence city.
Saturday's match showed, however, that it is now MFF that reigns in Malmö. The big-spending newcomer won 2–1 and is therefore, somewhat sensationally, still in the gold struggle closely behind Hammarby and Häcken.
We wanted to take on that role, to become the biggest in the city. That the shift in power would happen already this year was perhaps not what one had thought. But that it would come sooner or later, one knew, says MFF's point queen Tuva Skoog to SVT.
Norwegian double
Skoog, who has made seven goals and nine assists this year, injured herself in the top meeting with Häcken earlier in the week and was forced to watch Saturday's Malmö derby from the side. The 20-year-old had to witness a match that started evenly, perhaps with a slight advantage to Rosengård, but where Sara Kanutte Fornes – who else? – became the match decider.
The Norwegian thundered in 1–0 in the 17th minute, after a fine assisting touch by Mia Persson, and placed 2–0 with a well-balanced left shot in the 32nd. It was Fornes' 13th and 14th goal in Damallsvenskan this season. Only Häcken's Felicia Schröder (27) and Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim (15) have made more.
I said it before we went in, that it's like coming home to Gossen, where I'm from. Where it rains and blows all the time. So I felt like home, said Fornes to SVT after the first half.
Risks relegation
Rosengård took home a superior SM gold last year, but was forced to replace large parts of the championship team before this season. It has not turned out well.
With five matches left to play, the team is in a negative qualifying spot, and the situation can become even more unpleasant on Sunday. If the next-to-last Linköping then defeats Brommapojkarna, they will climb up to 15 points, only three behind Rosengård.
MFF's team captain Mia Persson, previously in Rosengård, hopes that the local rival will manage the contract.
I think Rosengård is a better team than the table shows. So I hope they can get it together in the last matches and stay, because we want more derbies in the city, says Persson to SVT.
