Gällivare Malmbergets FF - Swede Dreams Are Made Of This

Saturday 15th of September 2018

Gällivare fall into relegation playoff spot..


To get a result in today's game was always going to be a tough ask for Gällivare Malmbergets FF. They faced a really solid Bodens BK side, who are at the top end of the table for a reason. The scoreline flatters Gällivare because they were second best in today's game, and probably should have lost by a bigger margin. Bodens scored their first of the evening six minutes before half time, and added a second in the last 20 minutes of play. Peter Johansson giving away a penalty for a push on a Bodens player following a freekick. Luckily for Gällivare the other teams around them failed to put distance between themselves and the drop. Only Ytterhogdals IK managed to pick up a positive result, a 3-3 draw, managing to draw level in the 90th minute of play. Here's what Björn had to say following his sides first defeat in 5 games..
Björn Johansson - Gällivare Manager "A tough result to swallow after how well we've been playing recently. They were far better than us today all credit to them. The relegation playoff spot isn't to bad a position to find yourself in, as you can still dig yourself out of it over two additional games. In an ideal situation, we don't want it to come to that, but if it does then we have to be ready. Still; 180 minutes of league football to play, two points separating four teams. I'm sure they're all feeling the pressure as we are, and it will come down to who handles it best in the remaining two fixtures".

That's a bitter blow. Hopefully the side can recover and regain some confidence ahead of the next game and pick up a vital result.

After a few recent positives, Gällivare appear to be in more trouble with every result. Discipline also seems to be an issue with so many yellow cards being dished out in the Bodens game. All the best in the coming fixtures!

Saturday 22nd of September 2018

Gällivare hanging in there, but only just after today's draw..


After today's set of results, there is now only 1 point separating 4 teams as we head into the final day of the season. You'd have to say that Gällivare find themselves in the toughest of positions. Their goal difference in comparison to the other teams is shocking, and on top of that, they face a side who can still secure the league title on the last day of the season. The best that Gällivare can hope for is to keep things respectable, and hope that Gottne IF fail to pick up a point in their last game. Here's the league table as we head into the final round of fixtures.


Right winger Jakob Larsson gave Gällivare the lead after 23 minutes, scoring a thunderous 30 yard effort leaving the keeper with no chance. IFK Luleå managed to pull level on the 52nd minute, and finished strongly but were thwarted by some excellent goalkeeping. Björn Johansson had this to say following from a difficult afternoon for his side..
Björn Johansson - Gällivare Manager "We now find ourselves in the position that we really didn't want to find ourselves in. Gottne know that they only need the one point in their game to relegate us, and we're up against a side that's going for the league title. That unbeaten run we went on seems so long ago now, and having worked so hard to get into a position where we could have avoided the drop, only to end up having to fight for our lives in the last game, its really tough to take. I, and the rest of the coaching staff need to do our best now to prepare the players both physically, and mentally for this last game, and hopefully we'll have something to celebrate at the end of it".

ScottT - Hard result to take, and now to not have it in our own hands going into the last game makes it even harder. If only we could have got something against Bodens. I suppose this makes it more dramatic though.

Jack - If it wasn't for that shocking goal difference we might have been able to relax a bit more going into this last game.

Seems like Johansson is being slightly pessimistic of his sides chances! The fixture list has not been kind by any means unless he is merely playing mind games with both Gottne and his next opponents, who let’s not forget are in a nervy position themselves!

Jack - The last four fixtures have not been kind to Gällivare at all. The last game for both Gällivare and Hudiksvalls is huge in terms of labeling their seasons either successful, or a missed opportunity.

Saturday 29th of September 2018

Gällivare made to wait following today's loss..


Gällivare never really got going in today's crucial match away to Hudiksvalls FF. The home team went 2-0 up inside ten minutes, leaving Gällivare with little-to-no-hope of getting a result. What made matters worse was when the news filtered through that Gottne were 2-1 up in their game. Gällivare needed a miracle to happen in their game for them to avoid automatic relegation. After half time, things didn't get any better for them; six minutes after the restart they found themselves 3-0 down with hope fading fast. Fortunately for them, Täfteå IK managed to retake the lead against Gottne, meaning that Gällivare's fate would go down to a playoff further down the line, allowing them another shot at survival.


The league table after today's final set of fixtures looked like this..

As always, we'll bring you Gällivare manager Björn Johansson's post-match comments.
Björn Johansson - Gällivare Manager "I'm really disappointed with today's performance from the lads. We spoke all week about getting off to a good start, staying compact and not letting them have any early opportunities. Ten minutes into the game and we're 2-0 down, game over already and you're fearing that you're going to be on the receiving end of a real hammering. Luckily for us, we've been given another opportunity to maintain our position within this league. Its a long wait for us to find out who we'll be playing. At least the break allows us to regroup, and to try and rediscover our positive form".

Nobody:

Johansson: “I was really disappointed with today’s performance”

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Although not a good result for yourself, you have a LOT to thank fellow relegation candidates Täfteå for digging you out of automatic relegation. Now it’s time to get the morale up for the huge playoff game which will dig you out of this mess!

Since the final day of the 2018 season, Second Division Norrland side Gällivare have been awaiting the news of who they'll be facing in a playoff as a last ditch effort to maintain their status within their league. However, in a bizarre turn of events, it seems that Gällivare will not have to face their playoff match after all. The league fixtures for the upcoming season have been announced, and there is no mention of the supposed playoff match. This news will surely be music to the ears of all those associated with the club. Fans and staff alike will be hoping for a better season than the last one, with the club struggling throughout until the appointment of their current manager Björn Johansson. Gällivare will be hoping that Björn can be the catalyst for continued improvement throughout the upcoming season.

As Björn was hearing the news that his side had survived the most difficult of seasons, he couldn't help but think of the joy that being involved within football on a regular basis had brought him. He had initially only promised chairman Gerd Siverhall that he'd stick around until the conclusion of the 2018 season, and then go back to working with the clubs academy. However, after leading his team to the great escape, he new that he couldn't just walk away from the first team. He was hooked. He'd had his first taste of management, and he wanted more. He called G.Siverhall to arrange a meeting to discuss his future at the club. The meeting was to take place at the clubs home ground, the Tallbacka IP stadium.


As Björn pulled up to the Tallbacka stadium, he could see the chaiman Gerd Siverhall standing there with another man. As he got out of his car and approached, he could see that the other man was the clubs director of football Krister Taivalsaari.

G.Siverhall "Ah, here's Björn. thanks for coming to see us Björn. You must of all ready heard that the clubs status is secure without the need of a playoff".

B.Johansson "Yeah I saw the news, and that's why I wanted to meet you straight away. Now I know initially that I said I only wanted the job until the end of the season, but I've changed my mind. I want the job and I want to be the one who takes this club forward. If Östersunds can go from being in this division to being in the top flight within 5 years then why can't we?"

G.Siverhall "Well Björn of course we'd love to have you take charge of the first team, but we've already spoken to a number of interested parties and we've already made a decision on who we're going to appoint".

K.Taivalsaari "We've already signed a contract with him as well Björn. I'm afraid its to late. We had an arangement in place for you to just lead the team until the end of the season, and then we'd bring someone else in. That was the deal."

B.Johansson "Yes, yes I know that was the deal, but I've changed my mind. We were dead and buried until I came in. We wouldn't still be in the league if it wasn't for my management. I'm not being arrogant I'm just stating facts. If that's what i can produce with a battered team, a team that was struggling to field a proper starting eleven, then imagine what we can achieve when we've had a full season together and put together a proper team. You've got to give me this job, the club needs me if its going to grow, and I want to be the manager here".

G.Siverhall "It is true we do owe you a lot for this season. However the contract has been signed. If we cancel it then the club could be hit with a huge fine, and we're not in a strong enough financial position to be getting hit by unnecessary fines".

B.Johansson "That fine could look like loose change by the time I'm done with this club. We could become a Swedish Premier Division side within ten years. Look at the track record with our recruitment since me and Krister made changes to the way we do things".

K.Taivalsaari "We have put a really solid network in place. Bringing in young talented players as well could be a great benefit financially long term as well. Providing the way we currently operate remains the same".

B.Johansson "And for it to remain the same, you need me to stay in charge of this club".

K.Taivalsaari "Its your call Gerd, but I do feel even though we've already signed a contract, that we should remain with Björn in charge of the club. I was sitting on the fence with the decision earlier, but after this conversation I do feel that it is in the clubs interest to keep Björn as manager. If we don't he could easily go to another club who will offer him what he's asking of us, and transform them instead".

G.Siverhall "...Okay. Okay Björn you've convinced me. Don't say anything yet though. I'll have to speak to the clubs lawyer and ensure that this is a smooth transition so that the other guy doesn't kick-up to much of a fuss over this. Until then you need to stick to being in the background. Draw up a list of transfer targets and we'll get to work as soon as everything has settled".

B.Johansson "Thank you Gerd, I know that I've just asked a lot of you and you're sticking your neck out for me, but I promise you that you won't regret it".

G.Siverhall "You best not make me regret it. We'll call you as soon as this contract mess is sorted; okay?"

B.Johansson "Okay. Krister can I meet you at my house tomorrow afternoon. I've already put together a list of players that I think we need to keep and those that we should release. Also, I've got a couple of targets in mind that i want your opinion on".

K.Taivalsaari "Yeah sure I can be there. If anyone kicks up a fuss over us two meeting we can just say I was around Björn's for dinner can't we Gerd?"

G.Siverhall "Yes there's nothing wrong with that. Its between us three so no one will be able to leak anything unless we go shouting about it. Right then, we best get to work then. Björn, thank you for the work you put into keeping us in this league. I'd say that we owe you one, but after tonight's meeting I think that we can say we're even. Until next time.."

As Björn left the scene of tonight's meeting he could have sworn that he saw something moving after everyone had left. However, his mind was elsewhere and he thought nothing more of it than a breeze moving the hedgerows behind the main stand. He was solely focused on the vision that he had when the club first moved out of the relegation spaces; he and Gällivare lifting the Swedish Premier Division title...

Jack - A huge relief seeing the Täfteå result. That would have ruined everything now wouldn't it

Some great realism in this story. It could all be well that you get hired and it all be a simple process but the discussion you provided about potential legal problems with the contract of another entity really captured the reality of business and football itself.

That before was a comment on how impressed I am with the content, but the achievement - although easier than thought previously thanks to the lack of playoff - is fantastic. The board are absolutely right to keep you on seeing how you managed wins with what was previously a morally defeated squad, you know the core of this side and you know what is needed to take them to the heights of as Johansson said like Östersunds under Potter. Great news!

Jack - Cheers mate, I'm enjoying writing it, so to get your seal of approval means a lot. I was surprised with not having to play the playoff game, not entirely sure what happened to cause that but we'll take it!

What an incredible turn around Bjorn has made at this club. With one defender at the club and seemingly done a dusted you managed to pull it off. I am very excited to see just how far you can take them now! Good work mate!

Following the teams end of season awards ceremony, Mac Chahrour was voted the teams player of the season by the clubs fans, claiming an impressive haul of 76% of the votes. Jakob Larsson's 30 yard screamer against IFK Luleå was voted the teams goal of the season. 17 year old striker Felix Söderström was voted the teams signing of the season. Finally; utility player Jean-Philippe Zirignon claimed the clubs young player of the year award.




Gällivare Malmbergets FF Released List:
Following on from the roller-coaster of a season that Gällivare have just put themselves through, they have announced that the following players have been released from the club. Chairman Gerd Siverhall had this to say following the announcement of the released list.
G. Siverhall - Club Chairman "All of us here at Gällivare Malmbergets FF would like to place on record their gratitude for each and everyone one of you, for representing this club with distinction in what has been the most testing of seasons. However; after discussing plans for the new season, we felt that the club had to make significant changes to the current first team in order for us to progress. We wish them all well with their future ventures and hope that they have many successful years playing the beautiful game".
The released list in full:

• Samir Skrijelj - 30 year old central midfielder
• Jiralak Sukloed - 25 year old central midfielder
• Noa Siverhall - 20 year old central midfielder
• Jimmy Skog - 31 year old central midfielder
• Egor Grouzik - 22 year old left winger
• Miguel Hansson - 16 year old central midfielder
• Mikael Jannok - 29 year old striker
• Axel Enback - 20 year old central midfielder
• Isaac Newton Ssempiira - 23 year old central defender

Isac Halma, Jean-Philippe Zirignon and William Aspebo had already agreed pre-contract agreements with other clubs.