Nordic Football News

This was a round of firsts: AIK’s first win, Malmö FF’s first lose, and Åtvidaberg’s first goal.

Croatian midfielder Haris Radetinac had the honour of ending Åtvidaberg’s 575 minute-long goalless streak. Unfortunately two own-goals meant their opponents Djurgården won 2-1 and Åtvidaberg are still waiting for their first win.

In mark contrast to their respective seasons thus far both AIK and IFK produced impressive victories. AIK comprehensively defeated Kalmar 3-0, who in turn are still waiting for their first win. IFK Göteborg returned to form by defeated West Coast rivals Elfsborg 5-1.

If AIK vs. Kalmar was the battle of underachievers, than Mjällby vs. Häcken was the battle of overachievers. The spoils went to Mjällby in a 1-0 win. Trelleborg might have been giant killers last week, but this week they lost 0-1 at home to fellow strugglers BP.

Down in Halmstad, Gais would have felt hard done by a weak penalty awarded in the first half. But they had no excuses for the rest of their meek performance and not surprisingly lost 3-0.

But the most significant match of the round, and the most eagerly anticipated, was the Skåne derby between Helsingborg and Malmö on Tuesday night. The Sky Blues drew first blood when they were awarded a penalty for a supposed handball, although on replay it appears the ball actually connected with Marcus Nilsson’s chest. Yet from that point on the game was all Helsingborg’s. Marcus Lantz and Ardian Gashi had complete control of the midfield and dictated play for most of the match, while the later scored an equaliser. Marcus Nilsson later made amends for his earlier “handball” by scoring what proved to be the winning goal. The 2-1 win puts Helsingborg five points clear on top of the table, the only team left in the competition undefeated, and at this stage of the season clear title favourites.