Stefan Billborn took over an IFK Göteborg last summer that had long been in a chronic crisis. The big club managed to get out of the relegation battle on the right side of the line last autumn.
The question is what it will look like later in the autumn. The boost with Billborn as a base has failed to materialize. The cross away against Västerås was the tenth consecutive Allsvenskan match without the former Hammarby coach getting a win to celebrate.
Billborn talked before the match about the importance of playing straight, simple, and with energy and courage. The players apparently listened. The first 20 minutes saw Västerås consistently pushed back into their own penalty area. In the 21st minute, Gustaf Norlin scored the leading goal.
Important equalizer
Whereupon the match picture changed completely. VSK, so long outplayed, took over and did so decisively.
There's something underlying psychologically, we know where we are in the table. We're "tired" of too many second balls, that's where it starts, says Norlin to Max.
Abdelrahman Boudah equalized in the meeting between the clubs at Gamla Ullevi late in stoppage time. This time, he didn't take as long. In the 65th minute, he nodded in the equalizer and the push for a winning goal and three heavy points began.
Something like that wasn't expected, but Västerås still has a decent chance of surviving as a newcomer in the top division.
Between hope and despair
Halmstad and Kalmar FF are moving in the same table areas. Even on Örjans vall, the clubs' supporters were oscillating between hope and despair.
Yannick Agnero sent in 1–0 for his Halmstad as early as the seventh minute. The new acquisition from Nordsjälland fixed points against IFK Göteborg on Monday. Again? Yes, in the end.
Dino Islamovic equalized shortly after, the same Islamovic who got into a fight with his own goalkeeper in the match opening and teammates had to separate the players. Islamovic quickly became very popular. At the beginning of the second half, he sent in Kalmar's 2–1 goal.
But Jonathan Svedberg's equalizer saved an important point for Halmstad.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: The battle at the bottom
TTTT
Six matches remain of Allsvenskan and much suggests that the battle at the bottom will go down to the wire. Here is the situation after 24 rounds.
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IFK Norrköping (23 matches), minus 17 in goal difference, 26 points
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IFK Värnamo, minus 10, 24 points
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IFK Göteborg, minus 11, 24 points
14, qualifying spot) Halmstad, minus 17, 23 points
15, relegation) Kalmar FF, minus 17, 22 points
16, relegation) Västerås SK, minus 14, 19 points
