Forget Leicester's surprising Premier League title in 2016. The Allsvenskan newcomer Öster's SM gold in 1968 as well. The factory team Åtvidaberg's first gold in 1972?
No, no football sensation can compare to what Mjällby is about to achieve. If second-placed Hammarby drops points at home against AIK, the gold struggle is decided today – if "Bajen" wins, Mjällby will have the chance to secure the title away against IFK Göteborg on Monday evening.
"Better than Real Madrid"
I would say that it is completely unique in the entire football world history, including all countries. That a village wins the top division in a serious football country in 2025, it should not be possible, says Torbjörn Andersson, university lecturer and associate professor of sports science with a special focus on history at Malmö University.
Åtvidaberg had tremendous backing from the industry and when Öster won, almost half of the series ended up on the same points. I do not think that can be compared at all, he continues.
In Hällevik, where Strandvallen is located, about 1,500 people live. In terms of economy, the small club from Blekinge has overperformed for several years. Last year, it was a fifth place, but if the net sales had decided, the club would have finished in 13th place, according to the auditing firm Ernst & Young.
We must be the best at what is free. We can have a better team spirit than Real Madrid. We can prepare for a match better than Manchester United, said chairman Magnus Emeus recently when the American news agency AP wrote a longer report about the club.
The reigning champion Malmö FF – "most champions" with 24 SM gold – is unlikely 21 points behind Mjällby with four matches left to play. Despite being in completely different worlds economically.
At the turn of the year, MFF had SEK 764 million in equity – Listerland's pride had SEK 45 million in the bank. Malmö's net sales were almost SEK 660 million in 2024 – Mjällby's was SEK 79 million.
"Half water"
There is also no rich person who supports Mjällby. The catchment area is half water. It is not a rich region either, so there is nothing that suggests this, says Torbjörn Andersson.
With 63 points scored so far, Mjällby is also on its way to break the Allsvenskan points record (67 points) and get the largest margin of victory to second place (the current record is eleven points) since the series was expanded to 16 teams in 2008.
It is part of the achievement. One usually says that you need to be lucky to win, but you cannot talk about that in this case. They have not been lucky – they have been superior, says Torbjörn Andersson.
Victory margins in men's Allsvenskan since the series was expanded to 16 teams:
2024: Malmö FF (65 points) – 11 points ahead of Hammarby and AIK.
2023: Malmö FF (64) – won on goal difference ahead of Elfsborg.
2022: Häcken (64) – 7 points ahead of Djurgården.
2021: Malmö FF (59) – won on goal difference ahead of AIK.
2020: Malmö FF (60) – 9 points ahead of Elfsborg.
2019: Djurgården (66) – 1 point ahead of Malmö FF and Hammarby.
2018: AIK (67) – 2 points ahead of IFK Norrköping.
2017: Malmö FF (64) – 7 points ahead of AIK.
2016: Malmö FF (66) – 6 points ahead of AIK and IFK Norrköping.
2015: IFK Norrköping (66) – 3 points ahead of IFK Göteborg.
2014: Malmö FF (62) – 6 points ahead of IFK Göteborg.
2013: Malmö FF (63) – 5 points ahead of AIK.
2012: Elfsborg (59 points) – 2 points ahead of Häcken.
2011: Helsingborg (63) – 5 points ahead of AIK.
2010: Malmö FF (67) – 2 points ahead of Helsingborg.
2009: AIK (61) – 4 points ahead of IFK Göteborg.
2008: Kalmar (64) – 1 point ahead of Elfsborg.
Founded: 1939
Location: Hällevik, Sölvesborg municipality in western Blekinge
Home ground: Strandvallen
Best placement in Allsvenskan: 5 (2020, 2024)
First season in Allsvenskan: 1980
Main merit: Final in the Swedish Cup (2023)
