Photo: Bildbyrån
Djurgården lost last week’s derby against AIK in the Hockey Allsvenskan.
Niklas Wikegård, sporting director in Djurgården, sat in the stands and was annoyed by the association’s ban on the away supporters, who were not allowed to wear the team’s colors in the arena.
– I think that then you have resigned in some way, I think it is terrible, he says in a video clip on the club’s website.
It was the home team AIK that won the season’s first Stockholm derby against Djurgården. With seven minutes left in the match, Djurgården managed to equalize at 2-2, but “Gnaget” were strong and scored two quick goals.
“Thinks it’s weird”
In the stands, the home fans chanted and celebrated the victory with their players. The away section was much quieter. In advance, they had been asked by the association not to wear Djurgården’s colors on their clothes and not to celebrate if there was a goal. Everything to ensure safety inside Hovet.
It is also not possible to have two heels inside the arena, which meant that the away heel came to an end. One person who has thought about the decision is Djurgården’s new sports director Niklas Wikegård. In his recurring vlog “Wikegård informs”, which the club publishes every week, he talks about the disappointment.
– First of all, you’ve probably given up when you’re not even allowed to wear a Djurgårds jersey, scarf or hat at the matches, even if AIK is the home team. I think that then you have resigned in some way, I think it is terrible. I don’t even know if it’s… is it really legal to pretty much hunt those who are on the opposing team? I think it’s crazy, he says.
READ MORE: Niklas Wikegård made Christian “Fimpen” Eklund change his playing style
– It’s not me who supports that in any way, but it gets very, very crooked. I came to Djurgården in 1996 and have experienced a lot of derbies. It can be the hottest, most beautiful, most difficult, most wonderful thing there is. But it only gets weird when it only goes in one direction, he says.
Looking ahead
Djurgården won their second game last week (4-2 against Almtuna), but Wikegård couldn’t really be happy about it. Instead, he was left mentally in the derby loss. He is already looking forward to the next derby, which is on December 11. Then Djurgården is the home team.
– I’m already looking forward to the next derby if I do say so. I know and expect that we will play significantly better, he says.
After ten played rounds of the hockey Allsvenskan, Djurgården is in sixth place in the table and AIK is just behind. Björklöven and Södertälje have linked their grip on the coveted top positions.
READ MORE: Peter Forsberg now admits what he thinks of Niklas Wikegård
There is a lot to say here. A Stockholm derby is often messy, but how good will it actually be to ban jerseys, colors and goal cheers?
Feel free to write a comment on Sportbibeln’s Facebook page and tell us what you think.
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