‘It’s all just wonderful’: minnows Mjällby win unlikely Swedish title for first time

Mjällby scored twice in the first half to secure a 2-0 victory at IFK Gothenburg and claim a sensational first Allsvenskan league title for the unfancied club from a tiny fishing village in the south of the country.

Jacob Bergström scored with a close-range bicycle kick in the 21st minute and Tom Pettersson poked home a second goal seven minutes later as their side took an unassailable 11-point lead over second-placed Hammarby with three games left to play.

“It’s something I never thought would happen in my life,” Bergström said. “I’m so incredibly grateful for this group – we showed that a collective can take you incredibly far, we have a lot of players who give everything for Mjällby, it’s fantastic.”

Mjällby’s players and staff pose for photographers after their stunning title success. Photograph: Björn Larsson Rosvall/TT/Shutterstock

Hailing from the Listerlandet peninsula, the town of Mjällby boasts a population of just under 1,400 people but draws support from all over the county of Sölvesborg, and more than 1,500 fans travelled to see their side wrap up the title.

With a budget dwarfed by the likes of Hammarby and Malmö, clever scouting and a science-based approach provided the foundations for their incredible triumph. IFK Gothenburg did little to trouble the visitors as they rattled off 22 attempts on goal, with 10 on target.

With his teammates donning gold hats and singing, Bergström, who is in his third spell at the club, played down his first-half strike as he celebrated in front of the travelling fans.

Mjällby fans start the party after their team’s 2-0 win secured the league title. Photograph: Björn Larsson Rosvall/TT/EPA

“It was a half-bicycle kick,” he said jokingly. “I don’t think it was what I dreamed of, it was more of a tap-in – I’m grateful,” the 30-year-old added. “I’ve been here for eight years [in total], I have my best friends playing here and it’s all just wonderful.”