You are sad and empty, there are a lot of emotions.
"I just want to apologize to all the supporters for this year. For the ending, for not being able to do it, because we wanted it so damn much but we didn't," Norrköping coach Martin Falk told HBO Max.
In the first half, the qualifying round was interrupted twice due to incidents in the stands and a case of illness in the audience delayed the start of the second half.
With five minutes left in the match, a group of hooligans in the home dugout threw in a lot of pyrotechnics. The artificial turf field caught fire in several places.
A long interruption of play followed while match officials and police discussed whether the match should be resumed or abandoned.
Once it started up again, another projectile was thrown in and the match was broken up again – now for the fourth time.
Empty stands
IFK Norrköping's standing room stand Curva Nordahl needed to be completely emptied before the match could resume.
Only after almost four hours could the over 3,000 Öis fans who had traveled there finally celebrate that the club is back in the Allsvenskan for the first time in 16 years.
0-0 at Parken meant a total of 3-0 after 180 minutes of dramatic qualifying play.
Finally. Enormous joy, enormous joy, says Örgryte's Daniel Paulson after securing promotion.
It's a dream. I've been fighting for this for so long, finally.
As recently as two years ago, Örgryte clung on to the Super League via qualifying. Then Andreas Holmberg took over, the man who made sure Degerfors became Allsvenskan a few years ago. Now the derby against his brother Fredriks Gais awaits next season.
Celebrates continuity
A truly impressive achievement.
"The continuity, that we have been able to work together. We have been able to keep the players we want and work with them," Holmberg recently explained the success to Aftonbladet.
Conditions Martin Falk would certainly have wished for during his debut season as head coach of the Allsvenskan. There is much that has not been right at IFK Norrköping in recent years.
For the club, there is nothing left but to start over in the Super League.
In a desperate attempt to instill courage in the mentally damaged squad, Falk made a major change to the starting eleven. He surprisingly chose David Mitov Nilsson – who had not played a game this year – as goalkeeper.
Best before date
Falk put his trust in the old guard. Mitov Nilsson, Alexander Fransson, Arnor Traustason and Christoffer Nyman were all there and won the Swedish Championship gold in 2015. It's been ten years, the best-before date has long passed.
But the start was inspiring. Norrköping showed an attitude and toughness that has rarely been seen during the season.
"Beijing" desperately pushed forward, but Örgryte held on and didn't let up much. With a 3–0 lead from Gamla Ullevi and time on their side, no risks were taken.
"We are fighting and we are solid. We will continue to defend solidly and dare to hold the ball," said Tobias Sana in the halftime interview with HBO Max.
He got what he wanted, Sana. Örgryte played skillfully on the result and when he got off, the veteran received a warm hug from Andreas Holmberg.
Facts: Örgryte IS
TT
Founded: 1887.
Arena: Gamla Ullevi, Gothenburg.
Swedish champion: 12 times (1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1909, 1913, 1985).
Swedish Cup Champion: 2000.
All-Swedish seasons: 56.
Position in the Allsvenskan marathon standings: 10th.
Sports director: Pontus Farnerud.
Coach: Andreas Holmberg.
Player profiles through the years (selection): Sven Rydell, Carl-Erik Holmberg, Agne Simonsson, Rune Börjesson, Sören Börjesson, Marcus Allbäck, Johan Elmander, Afonso Alves, Örjan Persson, Glenn Martindahl, Magnus Källander, Niclas Sjöstedt.
Current: Playing in the Allsvenskan next year for the first time since 2009.
2025: Örgryte (Superettan). 3-0 on aggregate against IFK Norrköping.
2024: Värnamo (Allsvenskan). 3-2 against Landskrona.
2023: Brommapojkarna (Allsvenskan). 7-0 against Utsikten.
2022: Varberg (Allsvenskan). 4-2 against Öster.
2021: Helsingborg (Superettan). 3-2 against Halmstad.
2020: Kalmar FF (Allsvenskan). 4-1 against Jönköping.
2019: Kalmar FF (Allsvenskan). 4-2 against Brage.
2018: Athletic Eskilstuna (Superettan). 2-2 against Brommapojkarna, away goals rule decided.
2017: Trelleborgs FF (Superettan). 3-1 against Jönköping.
2016: Halmstad (Superettan). 3-2 against Helsingborg.
