The story of Mjällby has already reached far beyond the borders of Listerland. Now the story has got its happy ending – and Allsvenskan its perhaps biggest sensation of all time.
No gold rush was noticed at Gamla Ullevi. Instead, Mjällby secured their historic SM gold with another impressive performance.
The team from Hällevik was superior already in the match start, lined up chances and also got early payout.
After a post from the left side, Jacob Bergström suddenly stood quite unchallenged with his back to the goal – and bicycle kicked in the lead goal via IFK goalkeeper Elis Bishesari.
- I do not think it's as elegant as I felt it was, says Jacob Bergström to Max at halftime.
But after seeing the replay image, the 30-year-old changes his mind.
- Oh, the backside. We'll see if it survives tomorrow… But yes, I'm satisfied with that.
Third time lucky
A few minutes after the circus number, it was time again, when Tom Pettersson pushed in 2–0 after a corner.
They were two cold showers that IFK Göteborg did not manage to recover from, despite a forcing towards the end of the match.
Mjällby had the chance to secure the gold already before the national team break, when Hammarby met IFK Göteborg but won.
Hammarby then postponed Mjällby's gold party by another day by beating AIK in Sunday's Stockholm derby.
By then, the Mjällby players were already on the bus from Hällevik, far out on the Blekinge Listerland.
A day later, the series leaders stepped out on Gamla Ullevi, in front of, among other things, about 1,800 traveling Mjällby supporters.
In 2022, Häcken secured the SM gold through a 4–0 win in the derby on Gamla Ullevi and in 2023, Malmö FF secured their SM gold through a home win against "Blåvitt".
This time it was Mjällby's turn to secure gold in a match against IFK Göteborg.
"Completely unique"
In recent months, world media such as BBC, the Guardian and AP have been on site at Strandvallen to report on how a team from a small, remote municipality can dominate in the country's highest football league.
Mjällby's progress in Allsvenskan has been compared to, for example, Leicester's surprising Premier League win in 2016.
Sports researcher Torbjörn Andersson at Malmö University went a step further in a TT interview before the gold struggle's decision.
- I would say that it is completely unique in the entire football world history, including all countries. That a village wins a top league in a serious football country in 2025, it should not be possible, he said.
However, these are objections that this year's Mjällby have not bothered with.
Three rounds remain, but the gold is secured. The point record in Allsvenskan is near.
And next year, Hällevik's pride will qualify for the Champions League.
2025: Mjällby
2024: Malmö FF
2023: Malmö FF
2022: Häcken
2021: Malmö FF
2020: Malmö FF
2019: Djurgården
2018: AIK
2017: Malmö FF
2016: Malmö FF
Formed: April 1, 1939, a merger of the associations Listers IF and Hälleviks IF.
Hometown: Hällevik.
Home ground: Strandvallen.
Allsvenskan debut: Season 1980.
Coach: Anders Torstensson.
Current: Allsvenskan series winner 2025, the club's first SM gold.
2015: 13th in Superettan
2016: 8th in Division 1
2017: 2nd in Division 1
2018: 1st in Division 1
2019: 1st in Superettan
2020: 5th in Allsvenskan
2021: 9th in Allsvenskan
2022: 9th in Allsvenskan
2023: 10th in Allsvenskan
2024: 5th in Allsvenskan
2025: 1st in Allsvenskan
