Both teams were relegated from the top flight in 2024, but now repeated the feat that Malmö FF and Djurgården managed in 2000. It was the last time that two relegated clubs bounced back directly to the Allsvenskan after being relegated the year before.
Kalmar's advancement was secured at Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
I don't know if it was exactly a year ago that we found out we were leaving. Since that day, the goal has been crystal clear: we're going back up. It's absolutely fantastic, Melker Hallberg tells HBO Max.
One point away against Örgryte was enough to secure the Allsvenskan place in the penultimate round, but it was three points after two dream goals by Georgian Saba Mamatsashvili.
“By far the best team”
It wasn't a great match. We got an early 1-0 goal (eleventh minute). Örgryte are tricky, but over the season we have dominated almost all the matches. I think we are without exaggeration the best team in the series and that's why we are going up, says 30-year-old Hallberg.
Toni Koskela took over as coach of Kalmar ahead of the season.
"I'm very proud and happy. It's going to be a nice bus ride home," says the Finn.
Just over ten kilometers south, Västerås SK could also celebrate a return to the Allsvenskan. In added time, Mamadou Diagne scored the only goal of the match away against Falkenberg. Previously, Örgryte's loss to Kalmar had been enough for Västerås to secure promotion.
Incredibly nice. We've been longing for this, says Västerås Max Larsson to HBO Max.
"It means everything. VSK is my club that I have supported since I was little. It is an enormous joy that I cannot describe," continues 22-year-old Larsson.
Qualifying game for Örgryte
The fight for the direct places to the Allsvenskan is over, but who wins the Superettan will be decided next Saturday. Kalmar tops the table with 64 points – two points ahead of Västerås.
Örgryte (55 points) will have to focus on qualifying. The Gothenburg team had secured third place in the Super League before the penultimate round.
In the Swedish league, it has already been clear that Värnamo will be eliminated.
On Saturday, Ljungskile secured the series victory in Division 1 South via a 5–1 home win against Skövde AIK and is thus ready for a return to the Super League. The club was relegated from the second highest league in 2020.
