It took eleven years, but finally the classic club succeeded. Öster is back in the Allsvenskan, after defeating table-toppers Degerfors in the final round.
We've taken steps all the time, but it feels like we had that last little ingredient this year. We've joked about it in the dressing room that the road is never straight, and some parts looked a bit darker. But in the end, we got a damn good opportunity to take home this match, and we did it in a damn good way, says forward Adam Bergmark Wiberg to Max.
Nightmare start
The prerequisites before were clear. Öster had two points to go on against competitor Landskrona, which thus had to win against Utsikten.
But it was far from a dream start for the Växjö team. Already after five minutes, Elias Pihlström made it 1-0 for Degerfors. The deficit was, however, short-lived, only five minutes later Ivan Kricak headed in the equalizer from a corner.
At halftime, it was a draw both in Degerfors and at Bravida Arena in Hisingen, where Landskrona visited Utsikten.
But it didn't take many seconds before Öster took the lead. Only 40 seconds into the second half, Alibek Aliev gave Öster the lead, and wild jubilation broke out among the away supporters.
Then Öster had one foot in the Allsvenskan. And when Utsikten also scored 2-0 against Landskrona, it was almost certain.
"Doing the impossible"
Öster held on, and when the final whistle went, the away supporters could storm in and celebrate that their team was back in the Allsvenskan for the first time since 2013.
I couldn't be prouder than I am right now over the guys. From day one, there have been high expectations on them, to do the impossible and climb up to the Allsvenskan. We come here and attack and win... I have no words, says coach Martin Foyston to Max and continues:
I hope they've brought enough beer for the bus ride home, that's all I can say.
Founded: 1930.
Allsvenskan seasons: 33.
Swedish championships: 4 (1968, 1978, 1980, 1981).
Victories in the Swedish Cup: 1 (1977).
Famous players throughout the ages: Tommy Svensson, Jan "Lill-Damma" Mattsson, Thomas Ravelli, Hans Eklund, Jesper Jansson.
