Örebro SK
Encyclopedia
Örebro SK, also known as ÖSK or just Örebro, is a Swedish
football club
based in Örebro
. The club, formed on 28 October 1908, is currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan
.
In 1909 ÖSK won their first title, a local bandy
tournament. The club's first football match was played the same year and in 1911 they first played league football in the Örebro League. ÖSK won the league for the first time in 1913.
In 1917 they participated in the Västmanland-Närkeserien and reached the semifinals in district championship.
In 1920 the first coach arrived, Hjalmar Bergman
, and ÖSK participated in the cup for the national championship
. ÖSK also played its first international match against B 93 Copenhagen.
1922 the club changed from all black to white shirts and black shorts.
Örebro SK celebrated 15 years anniversary in 1923 and Eyravallen
, since 2005 known as Behrn Arena.
In 1925 Örebro finished last in Division 2 but were allowed to stay due to the fieldowner rule. In 1926 ÖSK was promoted to Division 1. After a first game draw, Örebro lost 0–4 to Westermalms IF
in Stockholm
and were relegated back to Division 2.
In 1928, when celebrating their 20th anniversary, ÖSK were relegated from Division 2 to Division 3. The third tier spell was believed to be 1-year only, but Örebro lost the play off against Mariehovs IF. However, ÖSK returned to Division 2 in 1933 after winning Division 3 and in 1934 they finished second after IK Brage
, only to be relegated back to Division 3 in 1936.
In 1939 Hungarian
Konrad Kalman became new manager and Fritjof "Tjoffe" Olsson became the first ÖSK player to represent Sweden
.
The club returned to Division 2 in 1940 after cruising through Division 3 undefeated and winning against IF Rune in the play off. In the following year they finished runners-up in Division 2.
In 1946 ÖSK was promoted to Allsvenskan
for the first time after defeating Surahammar
in the play off, however the spell in the top flight lasted for one season only as they were relegated in 1947. The club returned to Allsvenskan yet again in 1948, when they were celebrating their 40th anniversary, but like last time the spell was only 1 year.
After yet again defeating Surahammar, this time in the final league game, they returned to Allsvenskan and this time they were there to stay a bit longer after defeating IF Elfsborg
with 2–0 in the last game of the season. In 1952 the club made their best season so far and ended up on 8 place, but the following year the club was relegated back to Division 2.
In 1958 Orvar Bergmark
played for the club and won silver in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
that was hosted by Sweden. One of the clubs founding members, Karl Graflund, retired after 48 years as chairman and 2 years as secretary, due to illness.
in the play off. The same year the club sold its stadium Eyravallen
to the municipality of Örebro
.
The club won the bronze medal in 1961 after finishing 4th. The derby against rivals Degerfors IF
was attended by 20,066 spectators, which still stands as club record. In 1962 the club finished 6th position and Orvar Bergmark
left the club to join AS Roma.
After finishing 8th both in 1963 and in 1964, 6th in 1965 and 7th in 1966, Örebro SK were an established mid table team but in 1967 they won their second bronze medal. After a good start but a poor following season the team had to settle with the 5th spot in 1968 but in 1969 they were close to win Stora Silvret (eng: big silver, runners-up) but just missed after losing the last game of the season. Instead, they finished 5th yet again in the very tight race for silver.
In 1970 the club was close to relegation, but stayed up after defeating the previous year's champions IFK Göteborg
1–0, sending the champions down to Division 2 instead. The game became known as the first instance of hooliganism in Sweden. Disgruntled IFK Göteborg fans stormed the pitch and removed the goal posts. Between 1971 and 1976 were stuck in the mid- to bottom range of Allsvenskan. In 1977 Örebro was close to relegation but secured a continued spell in the top flight in the last game of the season. That only lasted for one more year. After 18 straight seasons in Allsvenskan, Örebro was relegated to Division 2 in 1978.
and AIK
. After losing several players, the 1982 season become a disappointment with ÖSK finishing 5th of Division 2. Before the following season 1983 the board decided to push hard for a comeback to Allsvenskan. The club signed star manager Roy Hodgson
, who in the last few years had won two gold medals to Halmstads BK
and new players were brought in. However IFK Norrköping
and Djurgårdens IF were the stronger teams in a tough second division and Örebro finished 3rd.
In 1984 ÖSK, still managed by Hodgson, won Division 2 North. However, play off against the runner up of Division 2 South was now required for promotion to Allsvenskan. Mjällby AIF
proved too strong and ÖSK lost both games and at the end of the season Hodgson moved to Malmö FF, replaced by fellow Brit Stuart Baxter
, who had just retired as a player for ÖSK. After finishing 4th in 1985, the 1986 season was close to end in disaster. The club was only saved from relegation by rivals Västerås SK
who defeated Enköpings SK
in the final day of the season. A new major attempt to reach Allsvenskan in 1987 including the signing of high-profile coach Rolf Zetterlund
ended in disappointment as the club only finished 3rd.
to ÖSK from his former club AIK. Dahlkvist, player of the year in Sweden in 1984, was one of the highest profile signings in club history, and became a club icon as player and coach. Simultaneous with the club's 80th anniversary, ÖSK secured the long-awaited promotion back to Allsvenskan. At the same time Örebro SK Fotboll became independent from Örebro SK and organized as a club focused solely on football. Örebro SK Ungdom
was also formed to cater for the junior age groups.
Örebro SK's comeback was successful, and the club immediately established itself as a team subscribing to top positions in Allsvenskan. Already in the first year, ÖSK qualified for the play offs (4th) for the championship but lost the semi-final against IFK Norrköping. In 1990 the club was able to yet again reach the semi-finals (finishing 3rd) but this time IFK Göteborg proved too strong in a nerve-wrecking play off were IFK Göteborg keeper Tomas Ravelli made one of the saves of his career on a header from the home team captain Sven Dahlkvist.
In 1991 a new league system was introduced. In the new 10-team league, the club finished runners up (second to IFK Göteborg only on goal difference) but dropped back to third spot in the Mästerskapsserien
between the top 6 teams. The strong results of ÖSK were very much thanks to new striker Miroslaw Kubisztal
, signed from GKS Katowice
in Poland. "Miro" or "Kuba" soon became a big home crowd favourite, and still today the ÖSK fans are called "Kubanerna" as a tribute to the Pole.
The impressive performance in the previous season also earned Örebro its debut in the 1991/1992 UEFA cup
. ÖSK were however unfortunate enough to draw champions-to-be Ajax already in the first round. After holding the Dutch team goalless for 60 minutes in the first leg, ÖSK in the end lost 3–0 and then lost 1–0 in the second leg at home.
The following year became a failure as the team did not qualify for Mästerskapsserien but instead had to fight against relegation in Kvalsvenskan. After a bad start where Örebro SK struggled to score Örebro effectively secured continued participation in Allsvenskan after an epic 7–1 win against BK Häcken
, finishing second and qualifying for the yet again amended Allsvenskan, as of 1993 consisting of 14 teams and with no play off for the championship. Örebro also participated in the UEFA cup for the second time, losing a close tie against KV Mechelen (2–1 on aggregate) in the first round.
Coach Zetterlund left the club after the end of the 1992 season, to be replaced by Kent Karlsson
. ÖSK looked sharp in the pre-season games, but performed badly when the league season started. Karlsson soon had to leave the coaching job for personal reasons. As replacement, the club brought on Dahlkvist, who had retired after the 1991 season to become technical director of the club, only to make a temporary and highly celebrated comeback in the autumn of 1992. Dahlkvist know had the double role of coach and technical director. The 1993 season however ended with a disappointing 12th spot for Dahlkvist's team, which meant that ÖSK had to enter play off to against Vasalund/Essinge IF to stay up. The club was able to stay in Allsvenskan on the away goal rule after the first match ended 2–2 and the return game at home 0–0.
Before the 1994 season, Örebro SK only made one player acquisition. However, it proved absolutely crucial. former Anderlecht
star Arnor Gudjohnsen was signed from BK Häcken. As an attacking midfielder behind prolific polish striker Miroslaw Kubisztal
and starlet Mattias Jonson
Gudjohnsen immediately became the architect of the most feared attack in Allsvenskan. 1994 became the best season to date in the club history were the club scored 62 goals and fought for the championship until the dying minute of the season. The day of the season had a spectacular set up; ÖSK, IFK Göteborg and Malmö FF all had the chance to win Allsvenskan, and the latter two played against each other. As Örebro SK won comfortably away against Landskrona Bois
, the only result that would snatch the title from the club was a IFK Göteborg win. IFK Göteborg scored a late winner to secure the championship. Örebro in 1994 also became the first Swedish club ever to score in each of the 26 games of the season.
The club didn't reach the same level in 1995 as the year before, even if they were close to win a medal, again failing on the finishing line. The club also made an embarrassing third appearance in the UEFA cup, being disqualified after having used too many foreign players in the preliminary round against Avenir Beggen of Luxembourg. The oversight raised questions over the double role of Dahlkvist as coach and technical director of the club.
After the end of the 1995 season, Mattias Jonsson was signed by Helsingborgs IF
and after that became a regular player of the national team. Jonsson was replaced by Dan Sahlin
, who was signed from relegated Hammarby. Daniel Tjernström
was also brought in from local rival Degerfors IF, doing the prohibited move. Despite a bad start to the 1996 season the club finished 5th after some impressive displays in the second half of the season. 1997 was a mixed season as the club went up and down the table but ass so many times the club showed strength in the autumn, earning them a fourth place and the bronze medal. The form of striker Dan Sahlin also earned him the golden boat as top scorer of the league. This year, Örebro again appeared in the UEFA cup, qualifying for the main tournament after knocking out FK Jablonec of the Czech Republic on away goals in the second qualifying round. In the main tournament, Rotor Volgograd of Russia were however too strong, winning 6–1 on aggregate.
The 1998 season started extremely poorly and after 6 matches the team was bottom of the table, however the team picked up and for a while held second spot, only to end up 6th after having lost their two biggest profiles during the summer break, Arnor Gudjohnsen and top goal scorer Dan Sahlin. The next year, 1999, the club again started poorly but grew stronger over summer. However, as autumn came the form faded and the club had to suffer play-off matches against Assyriska FF and it wasn't until the second match, on extra time, that Örebro was able to win and stay in Allsvenskan. Keeper Anders Karlsson also became the player with most appearances for the club with 373 matches in total. After the 1999 season, Dahlkvist left his position as both coach and technical director after 12 mostly successful years with the club, including the promotion in 1988, the 1994 silver and the medals in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1997.
from IFK Göteborg and former top scorer Niklas Skoog
in 2000 and after beating IF Elfsborg in August, taking the club to a 3rd place in the table, many believed they were on the right track. However, due to a mixture of good and bad results the club finished 10th. At the end of the season, talented home grown artist Mats Rubarth
left the club for AIK. The 2001 season was only marginally better with an 8th place, although the club scored the second highest number of goals in the league, after Halmstads BK
, entire 48 goals, but the club also conceded 44 balls. In particular, much needed victories ended up in draws after conceding late goals in most games. The club also lost top scorer Skoog to Malmö FF during the summer break. The 2002 on ended with 7th spot despite the lack of previous years goalscoring. After the season Eyravallen
went through renovation as the natural turf was replaced by artificial turf
and new stands were built. Another inventory of the club was also waived farewell as keeper Anders Karlsson retired after nearly 20 years with the club.
The 2003 season under new coach Stefan Lundin
started well for Örebro, but yet again a poor ending of the season saw the team end up in 8th place. Promising goalkeeper John Alvbåge and Danish
veteran Lars Larsen
introduced themselves and soon became favourites of the Örebro crowd. The 2004 season became one of the darkest years in club history. First, Örebro had to fight hard to avoid relegation. A heroic effort with five straight wins at the end of the season earned a mid table finishing (7th, later amended to 8th), but in the end effort proved futile. Economic problems had haunted ÖSK for a period of time as the club faced major deficits. Even after yet another heroic attempt by both supporters and sponsors the club was relegated by Elitlicensnämnden (eng: The Elite license board), who ruled that the balance sheet of the club did not comply with the standards of the Swedish Football Association. Örebro SK's appeal failed and the club was forced to play in Superettan
.
ÖSK managed to keep most of its squad for the first season in Superettan, except for keeper John Alvbåge who left for Viborg
, and Patrick Walker who had previously been with the club returned as head coach. It was widely expected that the club would quickly return to the top flight in particular after an inspired pre-season. The home crowd also had big expectations, and in fact booed the team despite a 3–0 win against Bodens IF in the first game of the season. That turned out to be the last win for a while. After a terrible spring ÖSK was for a while struggling against relegation. A better autumn secured a fifth spot, but ÖSK were nowhere near promotion. 2006 started off with impressive wins, but the club lost their goal scoring ability in the mid-season. Bosnian Nedim Halilović
was brought on from NK Varteks, a signing that proved crucial. Halilović's goal scoring form in the autumn of 2006 brought the club back to the top and after a nerve-wrecking final day of the season where Örebro beat Assyriska FF 2–1 at the same time as Brommapojkarna lost to Trelleborgs FF
, the club was back in Allsvenskan. The win of Assyriska also marked the end of an era. Veteran Thomas Andersson, who had to leave the pitch because of a bleeding injury, made his last performance for the club. After this event, Andersson will forever be remembered as Captain Blood by the club's fans.
(previously with city rivals BK Forward
) and the sacking of coach Patrick Walker, Örebro's form picked up in the autumn and an epic first away win of the season against Elfsborg secured another year in Allsvenskan.
In preparation for the 2008 season, the club's board decided to reshape the club's profile. Finnish-Swedish coach Sixten Boström
was brought in, assisted by local Alexander Axen
. Profiles like Larsen and Barsom left the club, but two other home grown talents were brought back to town, Magnus Kihlberg
and Samuel Wowoah
. Boström also showed immediate confidence in the massive talent Nordin Gerzic
, who became a regular after having spent most of his first year with the club in 2007 on the bench. Despite some impressive performances, the team struggled to score and lacked a natural target player in the newly adopted 4–3–3 system. Gerzic, a natural midfielder, was often used as center forward during the spring. At the summer break, it looked as if the team would have to fight against relegation yet again. However, in the summer Danish striker Kim Olsen
was brought in, which meant that Gerzic could move to the midfield. Former keeper John Alvbåge also made a popular comeback to the team. The new players filled important gaps and Örebro immediately became a winning team. After earning seven points in three games against the top trio IFK Göteborg, Kalmar FF and Elfsborgs IF, relegation was no longer a threat. Being one of the best teams of the second half of the season, Örebro eventually finished 7th.
The successful ending to the 2008 season was carried on to 2009. Several new talented players were brought on the team, including Alejandro Bedoya
(whose impressive first season earned him a number of caps for the US in 2010, although he just missed out of the world cup squad), Michael Almebäck
and home-grown talent Marcus Astvald (both of which earned selections to the U-21 Sweden squad). After an unlucky start of the season with two losses, Örebro soon joined the top teams and it was only a spell of bad form in the late season that deprived the team of a new medal. Örebro finished 6th.
In 2010, Sixten Boström had the opportunity to work with nearly the same squad as in 2009, with a fresh addition of Paulinho Guara
on loan from Korean Busan
. Despite a couple of unexpected losses at home in the beginning of the season (against Mjällby and Gasis), there was never a doubt that Örebro would be a top team. Clear losses both away and at home to eventual champions Malmö FF spoiled the chance of a gold, but the impressive and clear late summer home wins against Elfsborg and Helsingborg (both 3–0) revealed potential of the team. The team finished third, owing them "little silver" and a spot in the second qualification round for the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.
In the summer of 2010, striker Kim Olsen left the team and a number of youngesters were brought on. One of them, Astrit Ajdarevic
had an instant impact. He came on as a substitute and scored a late, beautiful equalizer against Elfsborg away, and then scored two goals in the home win. Ajdarevic was however not fit to become a regular starter of the team. Although Örebro wanted to extend Ajdarevic's contract, he received an offer he could not refuse from IFK Norrköping
and thus left the team at the end of the season.
The transfer window after the end of the 2010 season became even more hectic. Despite early rumours of an exodous of top players, the only players from the starting line up that left the team were Roni Porokara and Paulinho Guara. And Örebro, with its solid finances, went out on a shopping streak, signing a top player, Valdet Rama
, from Hannover 96
, former Örebro defender Patrik Haginge, centre-tank Andreas Haddad and young starlets Atashkadeh, Lushtako, Ibrahim, Yasin, Berger and Holmgren.
UEFA Cup
/UEFA Europa League
Stuart Baxter
(1983–84), 41 matches, 5 goals Alan Cork
(1983), 15 matches, 5 goals Arnór Guðjohnsen
(1994–98) Paul Munster
(2005) Mirosław Kubisztal (1991–97), 161 matches, 68 goals Dragan Okuka
(1985–87), 64 matches Orvar Bergmark
(1949–65), 290 matches, 19 goals Tore Lennartsson
(1972–81), 226 matches, 43 goals Thomas Nordahl (1965–78), 252 matches, 106 goals
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....
football club
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
based in Örebro
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
. The club, formed on 28 October 1908, is currently playing in the highest Swedish 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...
.
The first years
The club was founded in 1908 when a group of 79 youngsters split from IFK Örebro following internal conflicts; Pelle Molin and Karl Graflund were the protagonists of the newly founded club. The club was first suggested to be named Örebro Idrottsförening (eng: Örebro athletic association) or Örebro Allmänna Idrottsklubb (eng: Örebro Public Athletic club), but the final choice was that the club should be called Örebro Sportklubb (ÖSK) and should play in all black.In 1909 ÖSK won their first title, a local bandy
Bandy
Bandy is a team winter sport played on ice, in which skaters use sticks to direct a ball into the opposing team's goal.The rules of the game have many similarities to those of association football: the game is played on a rectangle of ice the same size as a football field. Each team has 11 players,...
tournament. The club's first football match was played the same year and in 1911 they first played league football in the Örebro League. ÖSK won the league for the first time in 1913.
In 1917 they participated in the Västmanland-Närkeserien and reached the semifinals in district championship.
In 1920 the first coach arrived, Hjalmar Bergman
Hjalmar Bergman
Hjalmar Fredrik Elgérus Bergman was a Swedish writer and playwright.The son of a banker in Örebro, Bergman briefly studied philosophy at Uppsala University but soon broke off his studies and took up the life of a free writer. He married Stina Lindberg, the daughter of actor and stage producer...
, and ÖSK participated in the cup for the national championship
Swedish football champions
Swedish football champions is a title held by the winners of the highest Swedish football league played each year, Allsvenskan. IFK Göteborg holds the record of most titles with 18 Swedish championships. After winning the 2011 Allsvenskan, Helsingborgs IF are the reigning Swedish football...
. ÖSK also played its first international match against B 93 Copenhagen.
1922 the club changed from all black to white shirts and black shorts.
Örebro SK celebrated 15 years anniversary in 1923 and Eyravallen
Behrn Arena
Behrn Arena, mostly known by its previous name Eyravallen, is a football stadium in Örebro, Sweden. The stadium holds 14,500 people and was built in 1923...
, since 2005 known as Behrn Arena.
In 1925 Örebro finished last in Division 2 but were allowed to stay due to the fieldowner rule. In 1926 ÖSK was promoted to Division 1. After a first game draw, Örebro lost 0–4 to Westermalms IF
Westermalms IF
Westermalms IF FK is a Swedish football club located in Stockholm that competed in the Allsvenskan for two seasons in the late 1920s. The club currently play seven tiers lower in Division 6 Stockholm C.-Background:...
in 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 were relegated back to Division 2.
In 1928, when celebrating their 20th anniversary, ÖSK were relegated from Division 2 to Division 3. The third tier spell was believed to be 1-year only, but Örebro lost the play off against Mariehovs IF. However, ÖSK returned to Division 2 in 1933 after winning Division 3 and in 1934 they finished second after IK Brage
IK Brage
IK Brage is a Swedish football club located in Borlänge. The club, formed 1925, has played 18 seasons in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The 2010 season will be played in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan...
, only to be relegated back to Division 3 in 1936.
In 1939 Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Konrad Kalman became new manager and Fritjof "Tjoffe" Olsson became the first ÖSK player to represent Sweden
Sweden 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...
.
The club returned to Division 2 in 1940 after cruising through Division 3 undefeated and winning against IF Rune in the play off. In the following year they finished runners-up in Division 2.
In 1946 ÖSK was promoted to 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...
for the first time after defeating Surahammar
Surahammar
Surahammar is a locality and the seat of Surahammar Municipality in Västmanland County, Sweden with 6,276 inhabitants in 2005.- References :...
in the play off, however the spell in the top flight lasted for one season only as they were relegated in 1947. The club returned to Allsvenskan yet again in 1948, when they were celebrating their 40th anniversary, but like last time the spell was only 1 year.
After yet again defeating Surahammar, this time in the final league game, they returned to Allsvenskan and this time they were there to stay a bit longer after defeating IF Elfsborg
IF Elfsborg
IF Elfsborg is a Swedish football club located in Borås. The club has won five national championship titles, the latest in 2006, and two national cup titles. Currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. Elfsborg is based at Borås Arena...
with 2–0 in the last game of the season. In 1952 the club made their best season so far and ended up on 8 place, but the following year the club was relegated back to Division 2.
In 1958 Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark , born in Bureå south of Skellefteå, was a Swedish football defender and manager, as well as bandy player....
played for the club and won silver in the 1958 FIFA World Cup
1958 FIFA World Cup
The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from 8 June to 29 June. The tournament was won by Brazil, who beat Sweden 5–2 in the final for their first title. To date, this marks the only occasion that a World Cup staged in Europe was not won by a European...
that was hosted by Sweden. One of the clubs founding members, Karl Graflund, retired after 48 years as chairman and 2 years as secretary, due to illness.
Established in Allsvenskan (1960–1978)
Örebro SK returned to Allsvenskan in 1960 after defeating IFK Kristianstad and IFK LuleåIFK Luleå
IFK Luleå is a Swedish football club located in Luleå. The club, formed in 1900, is currently playing in the third tier of the Swedish league system, Division 1...
in the play off. The same year the club sold its stadium Eyravallen
Behrn Arena
Behrn Arena, mostly known by its previous name Eyravallen, is a football stadium in Örebro, Sweden. The stadium holds 14,500 people and was built in 1923...
to the municipality of Örebro
Örebro
-Sites of interest:Örebro's old town Wadköping is located on the banks of Svartån . It contains many 18th and 19th century wooden houses, along with museums and exhibitions....
.
The club won the bronze medal in 1961 after finishing 4th. The derby against rivals Degerfors IF
Degerfors IF
Degerfors IF is a Swedish football club located in Degerfors. The club, formed 13 January 1907, is currently playing in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan.-Background:...
was attended by 20,066 spectators, which still stands as club record. In 1962 the club finished 6th position and Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark , born in Bureå south of Skellefteå, was a Swedish football defender and manager, as well as bandy player....
left the club to join AS Roma.
After finishing 8th both in 1963 and in 1964, 6th in 1965 and 7th in 1966, Örebro SK were an established mid table team but in 1967 they won their second bronze medal. After a good start but a poor following season the team had to settle with the 5th spot in 1968 but in 1969 they were close to win Stora Silvret (eng: big silver, runners-up) but just missed after losing the last game of the season. Instead, they finished 5th yet again in the very tight race for silver.
In 1970 the club was close to relegation, but stayed up after defeating the previous year's champions 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....
1–0, sending the champions down to Division 2 instead. The game became known as the first instance of hooliganism in Sweden. Disgruntled IFK Göteborg fans stormed the pitch and removed the goal posts. Between 1971 and 1976 were stuck in the mid- to bottom range of Allsvenskan. In 1977 Örebro was close to relegation but secured a continued spell in the top flight in the last game of the season. That only lasted for one more year. After 18 straight seasons in Allsvenskan, Örebro was relegated to Division 2 in 1978.
Struggle in the second division (1979–1987)
Between 1979 and 1981 the club finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons, losing out to teams like IK BrageIK Brage
IK Brage is a Swedish football club located in Borlänge. The club, formed 1925, has played 18 seasons in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The 2010 season will be played in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan...
and AIK
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , 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...
. After losing several players, the 1982 season become a disappointment with ÖSK finishing 5th of Division 2. Before the following season 1983 the board decided to push hard for a comeback to Allsvenskan. The club signed star manager Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson
Roy Hodgson is a former English footballer and current head coach of West Bromwich Albion.Hodgson, who has managed sixteen different teams in eight countries, guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996; Switzerland had not qualified...
, who in the last few years had won two gold medals to Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
and new players were brought in. However 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 Djurgårdens IF were the stronger teams in a tough second division and Örebro finished 3rd.
In 1984 ÖSK, still managed by Hodgson, won Division 2 North. However, play off against the runner up of Division 2 South was now required for promotion to Allsvenskan. Mjällby AIF
Mjällby AIF
Mjällby AIF is a Swedish football club located in Mjällby. The club, formed in 1939, won the title of Sweden's second-level of football Superettan in the 2009 season and thus gained promotion to the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
proved too strong and ÖSK lost both games and at the end of the season Hodgson moved to Malmö FF, replaced by fellow Brit Stuart Baxter
Stuart Baxter
Stuart Baxter is a Scottish football manager and former player. During his years as a professional player he played for a number of clubs in England, Scotland, Australia, Sweden and in the United States...
, who had just retired as a player for ÖSK. After finishing 4th in 1985, the 1986 season was close to end in disaster. The club was only saved from relegation by rivals Västerås SK
Västerås SK Fotboll
Västerås SK is a Swedish football club based in Västerås. The club, formed on 29 January 1904, is currently playing in the third highest Swedish league, Division 1 Norra.-Players:...
who defeated Enköpings SK
Enköpings SK
Enköpings SK is a Swedish football club located in Enköping.-Background:Since their foundation on 2 March 1914 Enköpings SK has participated mainly in the middle and upper divisions of the Swedish football league system. Their best period has been over the last decade with 6 seasons in the...
in the final day of the season. A new major attempt to reach Allsvenskan in 1987 including the signing of high-profile coach Rolf Zetterlund
Rolf Zetterlund
Rolf Zetterlund is a former Swedish footballer and football manager.He played for Atvidabergs FF, Sandvikens IF, AIK and IK Brage. He obtained the Swedish Football player of the year award the same he retired as a player, in 1980, at the age of 38...
ended in disappointment as the club only finished 3rd.
The Dahlkvist era – Örebro SK back in the top flight (1988–1999)
The next attempt in 1988 would be more successful. Before the season, Zetterlund brought Sven DahlkvistSven Dahlkvist
Sven Anders Peter "Dala" Dahlkvist is a former Swedish footballer.- Career :Sven was a successful forward and defender who began his career in Allsvenskan with AIK in 1974. He was a key player for the club until 1987...
to ÖSK from his former club AIK. Dahlkvist, player of the year in Sweden in 1984, was one of the highest profile signings in club history, and became a club icon as player and coach. Simultaneous with the club's 80th anniversary, ÖSK secured the long-awaited promotion back to Allsvenskan. At the same time Örebro SK Fotboll became independent from Örebro SK and organized as a club focused solely on football. Örebro SK Ungdom
Örebro SK Ungdom
Örebro SK Ungdom is a Swedish football club located in Örebro.-Background:Örebro Sportklubb Ungdom was formed in 1988 and provides sporting activities for the junior age groups...
was also formed to cater for the junior age groups.
Örebro SK's comeback was successful, and the club immediately established itself as a team subscribing to top positions in Allsvenskan. Already in the first year, ÖSK qualified for the play offs (4th) for the championship but lost the semi-final against IFK Norrköping. In 1990 the club was able to yet again reach the semi-finals (finishing 3rd) but this time IFK Göteborg proved too strong in a nerve-wrecking play off were IFK Göteborg keeper Tomas Ravelli made one of the saves of his career on a header from the home team captain Sven Dahlkvist.
In 1991 a new league system was introduced. In the new 10-team league, the club finished runners up (second to IFK Göteborg only on goal difference) but dropped back to third spot in the Mästerskapsserien
Mästerskapsserien
Mästerskapsserien was a short-lived Swedish football league played 1991 and 1992 to decide the Swedish Champions. The top six teams from Allsvenskan qualified for Mästerskapsserien while the four bottom had to play the promotion and relegation Kvalsvenskan league with four and two teams from...
between the top 6 teams. The strong results of ÖSK were very much thanks to new striker Miroslaw Kubisztal
Miroslaw Kubisztal
Mirosław Kubisztal , born 7 February 1963 in Krzyż Wielkopolski, is a Polish football player. He played for a few clubs, including Cracovia, GKS Katowice , and Örebro SK , where played 161 matches and scored 68 goals. He was partipiciant twice in won of the Polish Cup with GKS Katowice...
, signed from GKS Katowice
GKS Katowice
GKS Katowice is a Polish football club based in Katowice, Poland. The club currently plays in the Polish First League.-History:In 1963 in Katowice a special organizational committee was called with the purpose of uniting all the clubs and sporting organizations of city into one large club which...
in Poland. "Miro" or "Kuba" soon became a big home crowd favourite, and still today the ÖSK fans are called "Kubanerna" as a tribute to the Pole.
The impressive performance in the previous season also earned Örebro its debut in the 1991/1992 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...
. ÖSK were however unfortunate enough to draw champions-to-be Ajax already in the first round. After holding the Dutch team goalless for 60 minutes in the first leg, ÖSK in the end lost 3–0 and then lost 1–0 in the second leg at home.
The following year became a failure as the team did not qualify for Mästerskapsserien but instead had to fight against relegation in Kvalsvenskan. After a bad start where Örebro SK struggled to score Örebro effectively secured continued participation in Allsvenskan after an epic 7–1 win against BK Häcken
BK Häcken
BK Häcken is a Swedish football club based in Gothenburg. The club, formed on 2 August 1940, is currently playing in the Swedish premier division, Allsvenskan after being promoted in 2008.- The beginning :...
, finishing second and qualifying for the yet again amended Allsvenskan, as of 1993 consisting of 14 teams and with no play off for the championship. Örebro also participated in the UEFA cup for the second time, losing a close tie against KV Mechelen (2–1 on aggregate) in the first round.
Coach Zetterlund left the club after the end of the 1992 season, to be replaced by Kent Karlsson
Kent Karlsson
Kent Karlsson is a Swedish football coach and former player.He was capped 38 times for the national team and played at the 1974 FIFA World Cup....
. ÖSK looked sharp in the pre-season games, but performed badly when the league season started. Karlsson soon had to leave the coaching job for personal reasons. As replacement, the club brought on Dahlkvist, who had retired after the 1991 season to become technical director of the club, only to make a temporary and highly celebrated comeback in the autumn of 1992. Dahlkvist know had the double role of coach and technical director. The 1993 season however ended with a disappointing 12th spot for Dahlkvist's team, which meant that ÖSK had to enter play off to against Vasalund/Essinge IF to stay up. The club was able to stay in Allsvenskan on the away goal rule after the first match ended 2–2 and the return game at home 0–0.
Before the 1994 season, Örebro SK only made one player acquisition. However, it proved absolutely crucial. former Anderlecht
Anderlecht
Anderlecht is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region.There are several historically and architecturally distinct districts within the Anderlecht municipality.-Pronunciation:* Dutch: * French:...
star Arnor Gudjohnsen was signed from BK Häcken. As an attacking midfielder behind prolific polish striker Miroslaw Kubisztal
Miroslaw Kubisztal
Mirosław Kubisztal , born 7 February 1963 in Krzyż Wielkopolski, is a Polish football player. He played for a few clubs, including Cracovia, GKS Katowice , and Örebro SK , where played 161 matches and scored 68 goals. He was partipiciant twice in won of the Polish Cup with GKS Katowice...
and starlet Mattias Jonson
Mattias Jonson
Mattias Jonson is a Swedish former professional football player, who played as a midfielder for Swedish club Djurgårdens IF in the Allsvenskan championship...
Gudjohnsen immediately became the architect of the most feared attack in Allsvenskan. 1994 became the best season to date in the club history were the club scored 62 goals and fought for the championship until the dying minute of the season. The day of the season had a spectacular set up; ÖSK, IFK Göteborg and Malmö FF all had the chance to win Allsvenskan, and the latter two played against each other. As Örebro SK won comfortably away against Landskrona Bois
Landskrona BoIS
Landskrona BoIS is a Swedish professional football club located in Landskrona, which currently plays in the second highest Swedish division, Superettan. The club, formed on 7 February 1915 was a merger of two clubs from the city of Landskrona; IFK Landskrona and Diana...
, the only result that would snatch the title from the club was a IFK Göteborg win. IFK Göteborg scored a late winner to secure the championship. Örebro in 1994 also became the first Swedish club ever to score in each of the 26 games of the season.
The club didn't reach the same level in 1995 as the year before, even if they were close to win a medal, again failing on the finishing line. The club also made an embarrassing third appearance in the UEFA cup, being disqualified after having used too many foreign players in the preliminary round against Avenir Beggen of Luxembourg. The oversight raised questions over the double role of Dahlkvist as coach and technical director of the club.
After the end of the 1995 season, Mattias Jonsson was signed by Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs 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...
and after that became a regular player of the national team. Jonsson was replaced by Dan Sahlin
Dan Sahlin
Dan Sahlin is a Swedish former professional football forward who won three caps for his country. At club level, he played in the Allsvenskan for Hammarby IF and Örebro SK, in the Football League for Birmingham City, and in the Danish Superliga for AaB.-Club career:Sahlin was born in Falun...
, who was signed from relegated Hammarby. Daniel Tjernström
Daniel Tjernström
Daniel Tjernström, born 19 February 1974 in Karlskoga, Sweden, is a professional footballer with Swedish top side AIK. He is currently the captain of the team, and is one of AIK's most successful players. He was voted Most Valuable Player by the AIK fans in 2005, when he spearheaded the quick...
was also brought in from local rival Degerfors IF, doing the prohibited move. Despite a bad start to the 1996 season the club finished 5th after some impressive displays in the second half of the season. 1997 was a mixed season as the club went up and down the table but ass so many times the club showed strength in the autumn, earning them a fourth place and the bronze medal. The form of striker Dan Sahlin also earned him the golden boat as top scorer of the league. This year, Örebro again appeared in the UEFA cup, qualifying for the main tournament after knocking out FK Jablonec of the Czech Republic on away goals in the second qualifying round. In the main tournament, Rotor Volgograd of Russia were however too strong, winning 6–1 on aggregate.
The 1998 season started extremely poorly and after 6 matches the team was bottom of the table, however the team picked up and for a while held second spot, only to end up 6th after having lost their two biggest profiles during the summer break, Arnor Gudjohnsen and top goal scorer Dan Sahlin. The next year, 1999, the club again started poorly but grew stronger over summer. However, as autumn came the form faded and the club had to suffer play-off matches against Assyriska FF and it wasn't until the second match, on extra time, that Örebro was able to win and stay in Allsvenskan. Keeper Anders Karlsson also became the player with most appearances for the club with 373 matches in total. After the 1999 season, Dahlkvist left his position as both coach and technical director after 12 mostly successful years with the club, including the promotion in 1988, the 1994 silver and the medals in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1997.
A new millenium – brand new world with broken dreams (2000–2006)
As the new millennium started, Örebro SK was believed to yet again challenge for the top of Allsvenskan after signing inter alia head coach Mats JingbladMats Jingblad
Mats Jingblad is a retired football striker. He is now a football coach.During his club career, Jingblad played for BK Astrio and Halmstads BK...
from IFK Göteborg and former top scorer Niklas Skoog
Niklas Skoog
Niklas Skoog is a Swedish football striker. He initially ended his career in Allsvenskan team Malmö FF in March 2009. In January 2010 he announced that he would restart his playing career in Swedish lower league club BK Näset....
in 2000 and after beating IF Elfsborg in August, taking the club to a 3rd place in the table, many believed they were on the right track. However, due to a mixture of good and bad results the club finished 10th. At the end of the season, talented home grown artist Mats Rubarth
Mats Rubarth
Mats Rubarth is a Swedish musician and former footballer, who played most of his senior career in AIK.- Career :He left Örebro SK after the 2000 season for AIK....
left the club for AIK. The 2001 season was only marginally better with an 8th place, although the club scored the second highest number of goals in the league, after Halmstads BK
Halmstads BK
Halmstads Bollklubb, also called HBK or just Halmstad, is a Swedish football club located in Halmstad in the southwest of Sweden. The club, formed 6 March 1914, competes in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan, and has won 4 national championship titles and 1 national cup title...
, entire 48 goals, but the club also conceded 44 balls. In particular, much needed victories ended up in draws after conceding late goals in most games. The club also lost top scorer Skoog to Malmö FF during the summer break. The 2002 on ended with 7th spot despite the lack of previous years goalscoring. After the season Eyravallen
Behrn Arena
Behrn Arena, mostly known by its previous name Eyravallen, is a football stadium in Örebro, Sweden. The stadium holds 14,500 people and was built in 1923...
went through renovation as the natural turf was replaced by artificial turf
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
and new stands were built. Another inventory of the club was also waived farewell as keeper Anders Karlsson retired after nearly 20 years with the club.
The 2003 season under new coach Stefan Lundin
Stefan Lundin
Stefan Lundin is a former Swedish football player and manager. He became the youngest manager in the Allsvenskan in 1982 when he took over at Gefle IF aged 27.-Career:As player*Brynäs *AIK *Örebro...
started well for Örebro, but yet again a poor ending of the season saw the team end up in 8th place. Promising goalkeeper John Alvbåge and Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
veteran Lars Larsen
Lars Larsen (footballer born 1970)
Lars Larsen is a former Danish footballer.-Career:He has played as a midfielder for many clubs including Hårslev BK, B 1909, B 1913, FC Wettingen,...
introduced themselves and soon became favourites of the Örebro crowd. The 2004 season became one of the darkest years in club history. First, Örebro had to fight hard to avoid relegation. A heroic effort with five straight wins at the end of the season earned a mid table finishing (7th, later amended to 8th), but in the end effort proved futile. Economic problems had haunted ÖSK for a period of time as the club faced major deficits. Even after yet another heroic attempt by both supporters and sponsors the club was relegated by Elitlicensnämnden (eng: The Elite license board), who ruled that the balance sheet of the club did not comply with the standards of the Swedish Football Association. Örebro SK's appeal failed and the club was forced to play in 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....
.
ÖSK managed to keep most of its squad for the first season in Superettan, except for keeper John Alvbåge who left for Viborg
Viborg FF
Viborg FF is a Danish professional football club located in Viborg. The full name of the club is Viborg Fodsports Forening , but the name is frequently abbreviated as Viborg FF or VFF. The club was founded in 1896, but would have to wait more than a century before winning its only countrywide...
, and Patrick Walker who had previously been with the club returned as head coach. It was widely expected that the club would quickly return to the top flight in particular after an inspired pre-season. The home crowd also had big expectations, and in fact booed the team despite a 3–0 win against Bodens IF in the first game of the season. That turned out to be the last win for a while. After a terrible spring ÖSK was for a while struggling against relegation. A better autumn secured a fifth spot, but ÖSK were nowhere near promotion. 2006 started off with impressive wins, but the club lost their goal scoring ability in the mid-season. Bosnian Nedim Halilović
Nedim Halilovic
Nedim Halilović is a Bosnian international football player.Halilović earned 16 caps for the Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team. Otherwise since 2001, Nedim Halilović plays for NK Varteks in the Croatian First League. Prior to this, Halilović was active in the Premier League of Bosnia...
was brought on from NK Varteks, a signing that proved crucial. Halilović's goal scoring form in the autumn of 2006 brought the club back to the top and after a nerve-wrecking final day of the season where Örebro beat Assyriska FF 2–1 at the same time as Brommapojkarna lost to Trelleborgs FF
Trelleborgs FF
Trelleborgs FF, or simply Trelleborg, is a Swedish football club located in Trelleborg. The club, formed 6 December 1926, will during the season of 2012 play in the second highest Swedish league, Superettan...
, the club was back in Allsvenskan. The win of Assyriska also marked the end of an era. Veteran Thomas Andersson, who had to leave the pitch because of a bleeding injury, made his last performance for the club. After this event, Andersson will forever be remembered as Captain Blood by the club's fans.
A fresh restart (2007–)
2007 proved a tough come-back season in Allsvenskan. Nedim Halilović could not find the same goal scoring form and the club fought with fellow newly promoted Trellborgs FF and Brommapojkarnas IF against relegation (as the league was extended to 16 teams in the following season, only one team was relegated). After a summer signing of home grown talent Abgar BarsomAbgar Barsom
Abgar Barsom is a Swedish football-player of Syriac origin, currently playing for Syrianska FC.He made his first spell at Djurgårdens IF from 2000 to 2002, after having joined DIF from BK Forward. He was later sold to SC Heerenveen in the Netherlands, but his time at the Abe Lenstra Stadion was no...
(previously with city rivals BK Forward
BK Forward
BK Forward are a football team from Örebro, Sweden. They play in Division 1 Norra. Their first season in this league, the third tier of Swedish football, was in 1987. The club plays in a small multipurpose stadium called the Trängens IP. The club is affiliated to the Örebro Läns Fotbollförbund...
) and the sacking of coach Patrick Walker, Örebro's form picked up in the autumn and an epic first away win of the season against Elfsborg secured another year in Allsvenskan.
In preparation for the 2008 season, the club's board decided to reshape the club's profile. Finnish-Swedish coach Sixten Boström
Sixten Boström
Sixten Boström is a Finnish football manager. He is currently the manager of Örebro SK.He played for HJK, BK Häcken, Geylang International, FC Kuusysi and FinnPa. He also played 14 matches for Finland, scoring 2 goals.-References:...
was brought in, assisted by local Alexander Axen
Alexander Axén
Alexander Axén is a Swedish football manager. He is currently the manager of GAIS.-References:...
. Profiles like Larsen and Barsom left the club, but two other home grown talents were brought back to town, Magnus Kihlberg
Magnus Kihlberg
Magnus Kihlberg is a Swedish football midfielder. After playing for two local clubs, he joined Örgryte IS in 1995 before moving to Norwegian club Lillestrøm SK in 1997. He then moved on to Molde FK in 2002 before going back to Sweden and IFK Göteborg for the 2006 season...
and Samuel Wowoah
Samuel Wowoah
Samuel Wowoah , of Swedish and Liberian descent, is a football player playing left back for Örebro SK....
. Boström also showed immediate confidence in the massive talent Nordin Gerzic
Nordin Gerzic
Nordin Gerzić is a Bosnian-born Swedish football midfielder currently playing for Örebro SK in Allsvenskan.-Club career:Gerzić left Bosnia and Herzegovina and arrived in Sweden at the age of seven or eight...
, who became a regular after having spent most of his first year with the club in 2007 on the bench. Despite some impressive performances, the team struggled to score and lacked a natural target player in the newly adopted 4–3–3 system. Gerzic, a natural midfielder, was often used as center forward during the spring. At the summer break, it looked as if the team would have to fight against relegation yet again. However, in the summer Danish striker Kim Olsen
Kim Olsen
Kim Olsen is a Danish football forward, who currently plays for Vejle BK-Career:Kim Olsen started his career in Ikast FS before moving on to Holstebro BK and then to FC Midtjylland and played with them in the top Danish league, he then got the attention of English football club Sheffield Wednesday...
was brought in, which meant that Gerzic could move to the midfield. Former keeper John Alvbåge also made a popular comeback to the team. The new players filled important gaps and Örebro immediately became a winning team. After earning seven points in three games against the top trio IFK Göteborg, Kalmar FF and Elfsborgs IF, relegation was no longer a threat. Being one of the best teams of the second half of the season, Örebro eventually finished 7th.
The successful ending to the 2008 season was carried on to 2009. Several new talented players were brought on the team, including Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya is an American soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the United States national team.- Background :...
(whose impressive first season earned him a number of caps for the US in 2010, although he just missed out of the world cup squad), Michael Almebäck
Michael Almebäck
Michael 'Iron Mike' Almebäck is a Swedish footballer who currently plays for Club Brugge in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. He is a central defender.-Early career:...
and home-grown talent Marcus Astvald (both of which earned selections to the U-21 Sweden squad). After an unlucky start of the season with two losses, Örebro soon joined the top teams and it was only a spell of bad form in the late season that deprived the team of a new medal. Örebro finished 6th.
In 2010, Sixten Boström had the opportunity to work with nearly the same squad as in 2009, with a fresh addition of Paulinho Guara
Paulinho Guará
Paulinho Guará is a Brazilian football player who currently plays for Sweedish football club Hammarby IF. He signed for Hammarby IF on a four-year contract from Örgryte IS during the 2005 season . He played for Örgryte IS from 2002 to 2005. In summer of 2008, he was loaned to Korean team Busan...
on loan from Korean Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
. Despite a couple of unexpected losses at home in the beginning of the season (against Mjällby and Gasis), there was never a doubt that Örebro would be a top team. Clear losses both away and at home to eventual champions Malmö FF spoiled the chance of a gold, but the impressive and clear late summer home wins against Elfsborg and Helsingborg (both 3–0) revealed potential of the team. The team finished third, owing them "little silver" and a spot in the second qualification round for the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.
In the summer of 2010, striker Kim Olsen left the team and a number of youngesters were brought on. One of them, Astrit Ajdarevic
Astrit Ajdarevic
Astrit Ajdarević is a Swedish professional footballer currently playing as an Attacking Midfielder for IFK Norrköping and for the Sweden Under-21 national team.-Early life:Born in Pristina, he moved in 1992 with his family to Sweden....
had an instant impact. He came on as a substitute and scored a late, beautiful equalizer against Elfsborg away, and then scored two goals in the home win. Ajdarevic was however not fit to become a regular starter of the team. Although Örebro wanted to extend Ajdarevic's contract, he received an offer he could not refuse from 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 thus left the team at the end of the season.
The transfer window after the end of the 2010 season became even more hectic. Despite early rumours of an exodous of top players, the only players from the starting line up that left the team were Roni Porokara and Paulinho Guara. And Örebro, with its solid finances, went out on a shopping streak, signing a top player, Valdet Rama
Valdet Rama
Valdet Rama is an Kosovar football player representing the Swedish football team Örebro SK in Allsvenskan, Sweden's top division.-Career:...
, from Hannover 96
Hannover 96
Hannoverscher Sportverein von 1896, commonly referred to as Hannover 96, Hannover or simply 96, is a German association football club based in the city of Hanover, Lower Saxony.-Foundation to WWII:...
, former Örebro defender Patrik Haginge, centre-tank Andreas Haddad and young starlets Atashkadeh, Lushtako, Ibrahim, Yasin, Berger and Holmgren.
League
- AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan 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...
:- Runners-up (2): 1991, 1994
- SuperettanSuperettanSuperettan 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....
:- Runners-up (1): 2006
- Division 1 NorraDivision 1 NorraDivision 1 Norra is one of two leagues of the third level, Division 1, in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 14 Swedish football teams...
:- Winners (1): 1988
European record
- Q= Qualifying
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...
/UEFA Europa League
| Season | Round | Opponents | Home leg | Away leg | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–92 | 1 |  Ajax |
0–1 | 0–3 | 0–4 |
| 1992–93 | 1 |  KV Mechelen |
0–0 | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| 1995–96 | Q |  Avenir Beggen |
0–0 | 0–3 | 0–3 |
| 1997–98 | Q2 |  FK Jablonec |
0–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 |
| 1 |  Rotor Volgograd |
1–4 | 0–2 | 1–6 | |
| 2011–12 2011–12 UEFA Europa League The 2011–12 UEFA Europa League is the third season of the competition since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup. It began on 30 June 2011 with the first legs of the first qualifying round, and will end on 9 May 2012 with the final to be held at Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania... |
Q2 |  FK SarajevoFK Sarajevo FK Sarajevo is a professional football club based in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia-Herzegovina and is one of the most popular clubs in the country. Founded on October 24, 1946, the club was the most successful club from SR Bosnia and Herzegovina in former Yugoslavia, winning two First League... |
0–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 |
Current squad
Out on loan
For season transfers, see transfers winter 2011–2012.Academy
Former players
Stuart Baxter
Stuart Baxter is a Scottish football manager and former player. During his years as a professional player he played for a number of clubs in England, Scotland, Australia, Sweden and in the United States...
(1983–84), 41 matches, 5 goals Alan Cork
Alan Cork
Alan Cork is an English former professional football player. He played as a striker for several clubs, most notably Wimbledon and has held a number of managerial and coaching posts since his retirement from playing. Cork is a member of the Wimbledon Old Players Association...
(1983), 15 matches, 5 goals Arnór Guðjohnsen
Arnór Guðjohnsen
Arnór Guðjohnsen is a former Icelandic footballer who played as a striker. He is most famous for his seven-year stint with Belgian club Anderlecht and was the club's top scorer in the 1986–87 season. He is the father of striker Eiður Guðjohnsen.-Club career:Guðjohnsen played for the following...
(1994–98) Paul Munster
Paul Munster
Paul Munster is a professional footballer. His soccer career, once thought over at age 19 due to a severely torn knee ligament, was revived playing in Canada and he went on to sign with Czech giants Slavia Praha....
(2005) Mirosław Kubisztal (1991–97), 161 matches, 68 goals Dragan Okuka
Dragan Okuka
Dragomir "Dragan" Okuka is a Serbian football manager and former player....
(1985–87), 64 matches Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark
Orvar Bergmark , born in Bureå south of Skellefteå, was a Swedish football defender and manager, as well as bandy player....
(1949–65), 290 matches, 19 goals Tore Lennartsson
Tore Lennartsson
Tore "Turbo" Lennartsson, is a Swedish former footballer. He was known as a fast runner and scorer. He was playing in the team of Gefle IF that advanced to the Swedish premier league Allsvenskan in 1982....
(1972–81), 226 matches, 43 goals Thomas Nordahl (1965–78), 252 matches, 106 goals