This is how it was before Tuesday evening’s summit in the super one between Utsikten and Öster at Bravida arena:
Loss of points for Utsikten and Västerås SK would have been mathematically clear for Allsvenskan 2024 with three rounds remaining. But the neighborhood club from Gothenburg ruined all plans for the party around Västerås on Tuesday evening.
The 2–1 victory against Öster means:
+ That Västerås in this now needs one more point for the Allsvenskan to be clapped and ready. On Sunday, second-placed Gais will visit.
+ That Utsikten is now only three points behind Gais and still has the chance to go directly up to the highest league for the very first time.
+ That Öster, fourth in the table, is now six points behind Utsikten, which holds the qualifying spot for the Allsvenskan.
On August 18, Utsikten crushed Västerås with 4–0. The journey towards a first visit to the Allsvenskan was seemingly clear and straight as nails. Instead, a steep downhill journey awaited.
Winning team again
Seven straight games without a win followed. At the same time, Västerås and Gais lined up victories.
But before the final rounds, Utsikten is again a winning team.
Team captain Jesper Brandt showed the way with his powerful header on a corner after 22 minutes. His first goal of the season came at an especially appropriate time.
— I pushed it in properly. I got away from my mark well. It was really nice, he tells Discovery+.
The 2-0 goal shortly before half-time was one of the strangest in this year’s Swedish elite football. Öster’s goalkeeper Miloje Prekovic had one of his darkest seconds between the posts.
A strange goal
First he let in a rebound on a not too remarkable shot, then Paulo Marcelo from the short line (?) managed to get the ball between the legs of Prekovic.
Jesper Westermark reduced for Öster in the second half and had equalizing chances in the last half.
There is drama at the bottom as well, around both lines. Eskilstuna and Örgryte are in the relegation zone, both on 26 points. Skövde has as many but a less bad goal difference and is in one of the two qualifying places.
Down to the second, Helsingborg slipped without playing. Gif Sundsvall won with the only goal of the match away to Örebro. Both these clubs stand on 31 points and between them and Helsingborg is Jönköping on 30.