The municipality of Skara has barely 19,000 inhabitants and on Monday, the old diocese town can celebrate a first historic SM gold in handball.
After 27–22 in Partille against the reigning champion team Sävehof – having 17 SM golds – it is enough with one victory for Skara HF to win the title for the first time.
The players, however, stand with both feet on the ground.
"Taking over Partille arena"
We keep it at a perfect level. We celebrate with our fans when we win matches and enjoy this victory tonight, and tomorrow the work begins for Monday, says the right-winger Linnea Säreborn to Handbollsligan Live.
The more than 1,100 tickets for both the first final on Tuesday (victory 26–25) and the upcoming on Monday were sold out in just a few minutes.
Even on away ground, there were plenty of Skara supporters in lilac club colors.
We make Partille arena lilac today. It means everything. They are an extra player, they back our backs as soon as it gets a little tough. When it flows, they ride the wave. Absolutely fantastic, says Säreborn.
Rasmus Overby, who has trained just Sävehof to two SM golds, enjoyed.
Magical. It didn't feel like we were on away ground. We take over Partille arena. I am very proud, says Overby, who took over the coach position in Skara mid-season.
When the league winner Skara won the first final match at home in the Idrottshallen, the West Gothlanders led early on with 8–0 after the defense and goalkeeper Isabella Mouratidou had completely shut it down.
Won with five goals
There was no such start in Partille in the evening. Although Skara led with 13–11 at halftime, three straight Sävehof goals in the opening of the second act made the home team catch up and surpass.
Then the lilac-clad Skara players made the decisive push. The visiting team responded with four goals, and Sävehof never got out of that grip. Halfway into the half, Skara led with five goals. At one point, the lead was six goals, but the victory stopped at 27–22.
