Football in Sweden
Encyclopedia
In Sweden
, the most popular sport
is association football, with over 240,000 licensed players—of which 56,000 are women—plus another 240,000 youth players. There are around 3,200 active clubs fielding over 8,500 teams, which are playing on the 7,900 pitches available in the country. Football was first played in Sweden
in the 1870s, the first championship was decided in 1896 and the Swedish Football Association
was founded in 1904. Despite being a relatively small country population-wise, both the men's and women's national teams and the club teams have gained rather large success from time to time.
Football, along with other organised sports, came to Sweden in the 1870s and was mainly exercised by gymnastics
clubs which exercised most of the sports of the time. England
and Scotland
were the main sources of inspiration and it is thus not strange that football gained popularity fast, with the first agreement of rules made in 1885 by the clubs active in Gothenburg
, Stockholm
and Visby
. The first international club match was played in 1890 and the first match with modern rules was played two years later in 1892.
The first association to administer a Swedish national football tournament was Svenska Idrottsförbundet, founded 1895 in Gothenburg, the dominating football town in Sweden, at the time. The association arranged Svenska Mästerskapet
in 1896 which Örgryte IS
won. The tournament was played until 1925 when the first national league, Allsvenskan
, was started. In the late 1890s, the IFK associations
began playing football, and by 1901, the first Kamratmästerskap (IFK championship) in football was arranged.
Football has grown since and there is currently around 3,300 clubs with 32,700 teams and with one million members, whereof about half a million are active players, altogether.
is the highest Swedish level and Superettan
the second highest, followed by two third level (Division 1), six fourth level (Division 2) and twelve fifth level leagues (Division 3).
is played by all 30 teams from Allsvenskan
and Superettan
and 68 teams from the lower divisions. Which 68 teams from the lower divisions that get to play is decided by the number of licensed players in the football districts. There is also Supercupen
played annually between the winner of Allsvenskan and the winner of Svenska Cupen.
played its first international football match in 1908 against Norway
. The team has been fairly successful with one 2nd place in the 1958 World Cup, two third places (World Cup 1950 and World Cup 1994) and a victory in the 1948 Summer Olympics
. The Sweden women's national football team
was once leading in the development of women's football
and won the unofficial European Championships
in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, however, it won a silver in the World Cup 2003
.
Swedish clubs have appeared in European club competition finals three times, IFK Göteborg
won the UEFA Cup
twice, 1982 and 1987, and Malmö FF
lost the European Cup
final in 1979.
for example, the decider of the Swedish Champions in the early years, was played spring-autumn, while Svenska Serien
, the national league, was played autumn-spring. Some years, it was played spring-autumn-spring due to various reasons, and other years it was not played at all due to economical trouble. In 1959, Swedish football changed from autumn-spring to spring-autumn seasons. Allsvenskan has not been suspended any season since its start.
The last five seasons:
. The title has existed since 1896, although no club was given the title between 1926 and 1930. The 105 championships have been won by 18 different football clubs so far, with the top four title holders being IFK Göteborg
(18 titles), Malmö FF
(16), IFK Norrköping
and Örgryte IS
(both 12). Clubs from the three largest cities in Sweden, Stockholm
, Gothenburg
and Malmö
have held the title the majority of the seasons, 72 in total, but there is also an example of a very small municipality being able to field a club capable of winning the title, as Åtvidabergs FF
from Åtvidaberg
held the title twice, in 1972 and 1973.
The last five holders of the title:
.
.
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, the most popular sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
is association football, with over 240,000 licensed players—of which 56,000 are women—plus another 240,000 youth players. There are around 3,200 active clubs fielding over 8,500 teams, which are playing on the 7,900 pitches available in the country. Football was first played in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
in the 1870s, the first championship was decided in 1896 and the Swedish Football Association
Swedish Football Association
The Swedish Football Association is the governing body of football in Sweden. It organises the football leagues — Allsvenskan for men and Damallsvenskan for women — and the men's and women's national teams. It is based in Solna and is a founding member of both FIFA and UEFA...
was founded in 1904. Despite being a relatively small country population-wise, both the men's and women's national teams and the club teams have gained rather large success from time to time.
History
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
clubs which exercised most of the sports of the time. England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
were the main sources of inspiration and it is thus not strange that football gained popularity fast, with the first agreement of rules made in 1885 by the clubs active in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
and Visby
Visby
-See also:* Battle of Visby* Gotland University College* List of governors of Gotland County-External links:* - Visby*...
. The first international club match was played in 1890 and the first match with modern rules was played two years later in 1892.
The first association to administer a Swedish national football tournament was Svenska Idrottsförbundet, founded 1895 in Gothenburg, the dominating football town in Sweden, at the time. The association arranged Svenska Mästerskapet
Svenska Mästerskapet
Svenska Mästerskapet was a Swedish football cup held to decide the Swedish Champions between 1896 and 1925.-Previous winners:-Cup champions:...
in 1896 which Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS, also commonly referred to as ÖIS, is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg.-History:The club was founded on 4 December 1887 and participated in the first football match in Sweden on 22 May 1892. Örgryte IS has won 12 national championship titles and one national cup title. After...
won. The tournament was played until 1925 when the first national league, Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
, was started. In the late 1890s, the IFK associations
Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna
Idrottsföreningen Kamraterna , usually abbreviated IFK is a central organisation for a large number of sports clubs in Sweden. There are also eight IFK clubs in Finland but they are organised separately...
began playing football, and by 1901, the first Kamratmästerskap (IFK championship) in football was arranged.
Football has grown since and there is currently around 3,300 clubs with 32,700 teams and with one million members, whereof about half a million are active players, altogether.
League system
The current national league system administered by the football association is organised as 1-1-2-6-12, where AllsvenskanAllsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
is the highest Swedish level and Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
the second highest, followed by two third level (Division 1), six fourth level (Division 2) and twelve fifth level leagues (Division 3).
Cup system
The national cup Svenska CupenSvenska Cupen
Svenska Cupen , is a knockout cup competition in Swedish football and the main Swedish football cup. Svenska Cupen usually refers to the men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held. Each year 98 teams compete, comprising the 16 teams from Allsvenskan and the 16 teams of Superettan...
is played by all 30 teams from Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
and Superettan
Superettan
Superettan is the second highest league in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 16 Swedish football teams. It was created in 2000. Before that, the second level league in Sweden had been Division 1....
and 68 teams from the lower divisions. Which 68 teams from the lower divisions that get to play is decided by the number of licensed players in the football districts. There is also Supercupen
Supercupen
Supercupen is a one-off fixture in Swedish football played between the Allsvenskan champions and the winners of Svenska Cupen. The fixture is played before the start of the Allsvenskan season. In the event of a club winning the Double the runner up of the Allsvenskan takes part...
played annually between the winner of Allsvenskan and the winner of Svenska Cupen.
International titles
The Sweden national football teamSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
played its first international football match in 1908 against Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The team has been fairly successful with one 2nd place in the 1958 World Cup, two third places (World Cup 1950 and World Cup 1994) and a victory in the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
. The Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team
Sweden women's national football team are a football team officially representing Sweden in women's football. They won the unofficial European Championships in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, it has however won one World Cup-silver as well as three European Cup-silvers...
was once leading in the development of women's football
Women's football (soccer)
Women's association football has been played for many decades, but was associated with charity games and physical exercise in the past before the breakthrough of organized women's association football came in the 1970s. Before the 1970s, football was basically seen as a men's game...
and won the unofficial European Championships
UEFA Women's Championship
The UEFA European Women's Championship, also called the UEFA Women's Euro and unofficially the "European Cup", held every fourth year, is the main competition in women's association football between national teams of the UEFA Confederation...
in 1984, a success the team has not managed to repeat, however, it won a silver in the World Cup 2003
FIFA Women's World Cup 2003
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 was held in the United States and won by Germany. The tournament was originally scheduled for China. On May 3, 2003 the tournament was abruptly moved to the United States, as a result of the 2003 SARS outbreak in China...
.
Swedish clubs have appeared in European club competition finals three times, IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
won the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
twice, 1982 and 1987, and Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
lost the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final in 1979.
Seasons
Swedish football began to have regular seasons from 1924 on, when Allsvenskan started. Before that, tournaments were played irregularly. Svenska MästerskapetSvenska Mästerskapet
Svenska Mästerskapet was a Swedish football cup held to decide the Swedish Champions between 1896 and 1925.-Previous winners:-Cup champions:...
for example, the decider of the Swedish Champions in the early years, was played spring-autumn, while Svenska Serien
Svenska Serien
Svenska Serien was the highest league in Swedish football, and was played 1910–1917, 1920–1921 and 1922–1924. It was then replaced by the current-day league Allsvenskan...
, the national league, was played autumn-spring. Some years, it was played spring-autumn-spring due to various reasons, and other years it was not played at all due to economical trouble. In 1959, Swedish football changed from autumn-spring to spring-autumn seasons. Allsvenskan has not been suspended any season since its start.
The last five seasons:
- 20072007 in Swedish footballThe 2007 season in Swedish football, starting January 2007 and ending December 2007:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- Allsvenskan 2007 :- Superettan 2007 :...
- 20082008 in Swedish footballThe 2008 season in Swedish football, starting January 2008 and ending December 2008:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- 2008 Allsvenskan 2008 :...
- 20092009 in Swedish footballThe 2009 season in Swedish football, starting January 2009 and ending December 2009:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- 2009 Allsvenskan :...
- 20102010 in Swedish footballThe 2010 season in Swedish football, started January 2010 and ended December 2010:- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- 2010 Allsvenskan :...
- 20112011 in Swedish footballThe 2011 season in Swedish football, started in January 2011 and will end in December 2011.- Official titles :- Competitions :- Promotions :- Relegations :- International qualifications :- 2011 Allsvenskan :...
Swedish champions
The current Swedish Champions title is held by the winners of AllsvenskanAllsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
. The title has existed since 1896, although no club was given the title between 1926 and 1930. The 105 championships have been won by 18 different football clubs so far, with the top four title holders being IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(18 titles), Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
(16), IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping
IFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
and Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS
Örgryte IS, also commonly referred to as ÖIS, is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg.-History:The club was founded on 4 December 1887 and participated in the first football match in Sweden on 22 May 1892. Örgryte IS has won 12 national championship titles and one national cup title. After...
(both 12). Clubs from the three largest cities in Sweden, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
and Malmö
Malmö
Malmö , in the southernmost province of Scania, is the third most populous city in Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg.Malmö is the seat of Malmö Municipality and the capital of Skåne County...
have held the title the majority of the seasons, 72 in total, but there is also an example of a very small municipality being able to field a club capable of winning the title, as Åtvidabergs FF
Åtvidabergs FF
Åtvidabergs FF is a Swedish football club located in Åtvidaberg. The club, formed 1 July 1907 as Åtvidabergs IF, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The club changed to the present name before the 1935–1936 season. The club is affiliated to Östergötlands Fotbollförbund...
from Åtvidaberg
Åtvidaberg
Åtvidaberg is a locality and the seat of Åtvidaberg Municipality, Östergötland County, Sweden with 6,947 inhabitants in 2005.- History :...
held the title twice, in 1972 and 1973.
The last five holders of the title:
- 2007 - IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
- 2008 - Kalmar FFKalmar FFKalmar FF is a Swedish football club located in Kalmar. Formed 10 January 1910, the club has won three national cup titles and 1 league title. Kalmar FF currently play in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan....
- 2009 - AIKAIK FotbollAIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
- 2010 - Malmö FFMalmö FFMalmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
- 2011 - Helsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
European Cup
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the European CupUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
- Runner-up: Malmö FFMalmö FFMalmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
(1978-79) - Semi-finals: IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(1985-86European Cup 1985-86The 1985–86 European Cup was the 31st season of UEFA's premier club football tournament, the European Cup. The European Champion Clubs' Cup was won by Steaua Bucharest on penalties in a final against Barcelona...
) - Quarter-finals: Djurgården (1955–56), IFK MalmöIFK MalmöIFK Malmö is a Swedish football club located in Malmö. The club was founded April 23, 1899.- History :The club was founded in 1899 making it the oldest football club in Malmö. IFK participated in the first season of Allsvenskan in 1924/25. The club has altogether played 13 seasons in the premier...
(1960-61), Åtvidabergs FFÅtvidabergs FFÅtvidabergs FF is a Swedish football club located in Åtvidaberg. The club, formed 1 July 1907 as Åtvidabergs IF, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The club changed to the present name before the 1935–1936 season. The club is affiliated to Östergötlands Fotbollförbund...
(1974-75), IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(1984-85European Cup 1984-85The season 1984–85 of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by Juventus in a close final against defending champions Liverpool. However, the result was left meaningless after the deaths of 39 spectators in the Heysel Stadium disaster...
, 1988-89European Cup 1988-89The season 1988–89 of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time since 1969, and third time overall, by AC Milan comfortably in the final against former winners Steaua Bucureşti...
)
UEFA Champions League
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
- Quarter-finals: IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(1994-95UEFA Champions League 1994-95The 1994–95 UEFA Champions League was the 40th edition of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, and the third since its rebranding as the UEFA Champions League. The tournament was won by Ajax of the Netherlands with a late goal in the final against defending champions Milan of Italy...
) - Group Stage: IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(1992-93UEFA Champions League 1992-93The 1992–93 UEFA Champions League was the 38th European Cup, the premier European club football tournament, and the first season under the current UEFA Champions League format ....
, 1996-97UEFA Champions League 1996-97The 1996–97 UEFA Champions League was the 42nd edition of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the fifth since its rebranding as the UEFA Champions League, and the last involving only clubs that were champions of their domestic leagues. The tournament was won by Borussia Dortmund in a...
, 1997-98UEFA Champions League 1997-98The 1997–98 UEFA Champions League was the 43rd edition of UEFA's premier club football tournament, and the sixth since its rebranding as the UEFA Champions League. The tournament was won 1–0 by Real Madrid, winning for the first time in 32 years, beating Juventus who were playing in a third...
) - First Group Stage: AIKAIK FotbollAIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
(1999-2000), Helsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
(2000-01UEFA Champions League 2000-01The 2000–01 UEFA Champions League was the ninth edition of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA's premier European club football tournament, since it was renamed from the European Cup in 1992, and the 46th tournament overall. The competition was won by Bayern Munich , who beat Valencia 5–4 on...
)
UEFA Cup
The following teams have advanced to elimination rounds in the UEFA CupUEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
- Champions: IFK GöteborgIFK GöteborgIFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
(1981-82, 1986-87) - Round of 32: Helsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IFHelsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
(2007-08)