After two consecutive Swedish Championship gold medals, Rosengård finished last season in seventh place in the women's top division – the club's worst placement in history.
Many probably thought it was the end of the greatness era for the Malmö club, which has won eight Swedish Championship gold medals since 2010.
However, the Rosengård players wanted it differently.
Record-breaking
When the team beat Kristianstad 2–1, not only did they secure the Swedish Championship gold medal with four rounds left to play. It was also Rosengård's 22nd win out of 22 possible in this year's women's top division – a record-breaking achievement.
No team has won all their league matches in a season since the women's top division premiered in 1988. Umeå came close twice (2005 and 2006) with 21 out of 22 wins when the league consisted of 12 teams, but not even the giant club of the 2000s managed to achieve a perfect season with only wins.
Rosengård's performance on the pitch is even more impressive considering that one player in the squad has repeatedly received serious threats during the season, which have been reported to the police.
It feels like a dream to win here at home with everything that has happened. It's just incredible, says Rebecca Knaak.
Rosengård has the astonishing goal difference of 89–6. Goalkeeper Eartha Cumings – who has played all 22 matches so far – has kept a clean sheet 16 times.
It's just wow! The defense is a team effort, everyone has worked hard as a group. We all know our roles, says Cumings.
Knaak matchwinner
Against fourth-placed Kristianstad, Rebecca Knaak was the big matchwinner. The German scored 1–0 in the 19th minute on a goalkeeper's return. In the 77th minute, Knaak went up in a heading duel with Carly Wickenheiser and it ended 2–0 for the home team.
Tilda Sandén did reduce the score in the final stages, but Rosengård could hold on.
The Swedish Championship gold medal is secured – the hunt for the perfect season continues.
Now we have the record of 22 wins and now the goal is to keep winning. To build on the record, says Knaak.
First, a gold party awaits in Malmö tonight and goalkeeper Eartha Cumings is appointed as the big party organizer.
I don't believe it myself! I'm terrible at organizing things. But I love to celebrate, you have to enjoy life, says the Scot.
2024: Rosengård.
2023: Hammarby.
2022: Rosengård.
2021: Rosengård.
2020: Kopparbergs/Göteborg*.
2019: Rosengård.
2018: Piteå.
2017: Linköping.
2016: Linköping.
2015: Rosengård.
* Kopparbergs/Göteborg's organization was taken over by BK Häcken before the 2021–2022 season.
Vittsjö (home), 5–0.
Kristianstad (away), 3–1.
AIK (h), 3–0.
Linköping (a), 6–1.
Djurgården (h), 3–0.
Häcken (a), 2–0.
Hammarby (a), 1–0.
Piteå (h), 4–0.
IFK Norrköping (h), 4–0.
Växjö (a), 7–0.
BP (a), 7–0.
Kif Örebro (h), 4–0.
Trelleborg (a), 9–1.
Trelleborg (h), 8–1.
Vittsjö (a), 3–0.
Häcken (h), 1–0.
AIK (a), 5–1.
BP (h), 3–0.
Kif Örebro (a), 4–0.
Växjö (h), 4–0.
Piteå (a), 1–0.
Kristianstad (h), 2–1.
No team has won all their league matches in a season since the women's top division premiered in 1988.
Rosengård's remaining matches: IFK Norrköping (a), Hammarby (h), Linköping (h), Djurgården (a).