Vångavallen
Trelleborg, Sweden

Relegation Battle

Back in November I went to Vångavallen for quite an exciting football match.

First, let me take you back to September 1994. Vångavallen hosted the return leg of Trelleborgs FF encounter with what would become that season’s Premiere League champions Blackburn Rovers. The likes of Shearer, Sherwood, Sutton, Hendry, Le Saux, Berg, Ripley, Flowers, all have had a stroll around this fine little football ground.

Trelleborg is the southern most town in Sweden. It has been a commerce hub due to its harbor and link to continental Europe. Industries has thrived here, and historically backed their football team. A good friend of min calls it Swedens answer to Marseilles. Skåne was in the past not just all about giants Malmö FF. The region is historically strong. Trelleborgs FF, Landskrona BoiS and Helsingborg IF have all played a central role in Swedish football. Produced great great talent and fierce rivalries.

Today is the last game of regular season in Superettan - Swedens second tier. Trelleborgs FF meets Örebro SK in an match with very sharp lines drawn. The side that looses this game will be relegated. It will be the end of professional football, and a coming year in the regional 3 tier also called Division 1 (South/North).

To make the scenario even grimmer. Örebro can settle with a draw, but an eventual winner will meet a team from 3rd tier in a two legged playoff to either stay in Superettan or get relegated. Complicated scenario.

After the usual hassel to get my camera I find myself inside the ground. Vångavallen consists of two open stands in the goal ends. A somewhat half sized main stand (under renovation today), and a covered grandstand opposite with about 8 rows of seating. Capacity of around 5000 people.

High stakes games often produces less entertainment. This game is no different. A very tactical and awaiting first half. Tension is here though. 6 yellow cards at the break. Midway through 2nd half, Trelleborg deservedly takes the lead.

The game flips completely. Now Örebro is chasing a goal. I observe grown men in unbearable nervousness. A gentleman next to me asks what team I support. “I’m neutral”, I reply with a smile. He seems incomprehensible.

Örebro levels the game in 4 minutes overtime, and Vångavallen is paralyzed. Football is immense. One full season streched and decided to the out most. The away end erupts.

Final whistle. Black players are celebrating. Blue players are in tears. Trelleborgs FF do not have the strongest fan base, but those who remain initiates conversations with the players. It is quiet, and there is no explicit anger.

Police proportions are matching the Örebro fans, as they pour our the stadium, joyful as their (miserable) season is prolonged, and their probability for another year in Superettan.

Vångavallen disappears behind me. I feel for this fine football club. It will take time, but everything will come back. Perhaps not like when Trelleborgs FF knocked Blackburn Rovers out of the the UEFA cup in 1994. But less will also be able to do it.

* Örebro SK went on to beat Hammarby TFF on penalties over two legs, and will play in Superettan in the coming season.