The Superettan season is complete, and congratulations are in order for 2 clubs promoted directly to the 2005 Allsvenskan. BK Häcken are promoted as the 2004 Superettan Champions, with 19 wins in 30 matches, and a total of 64 points. Häcken were relegated out of the 2001 Allsvenskan, just missed out on the 2002 playoffs by 2 goals, and they made the playoff last season, only to lose out to Sundsvall on away goals. This year, they don't have to worry about the playoffs. A 0-0 draw on the final match of the season is also enough to secure promotion for Gefle IF, as they return to the Allsvenskan for the first time since 1984. Gefle finished middle of the pack last season, and were picked by the experts to stay around that same spot this year. For the record, most preseason predictions did have Häcken winning the league, to be joined by Östers IF, who eventually wound up 5th. The playoff spot goes to Assyriska, who are seeking Allsvenskan status for the first time in club history. They will playoff with the 12th place team in the Allsvenskan, after that season ends next week. (For the record, the preseason pick for the playoffs, Brommapojkarna, finished in 10th place) At the other end of the table, it's one and done for Friska Viljor, as they drop back down to Division 2 after one season in the Superettan. It's also a quick return for IK Brage, as they drop back down as well. These finishes held to the preseason predictions. Also making the drop are Enköpings SK, who continue their freefall, after being relegated from the Allsvenskan last season. The other preseason relegation pick was Falkenbergs FF. They survive, barely, with a 12th-place finish in the Superettan. GAIS, who were promoted from Division 2 last season, finish 6th in the Superettan this season, clearly the class of the newcomers. Final Superettan Standings: P- Promoted to Allsvenskan Q- Qualifier for Allsvenskan R- Relegated to Division 2 P-1. BK Häcken P-2. Gefle Q-3. Assyriska Föreningen 4. IFK Norrköping 5. Östers IF 6. GAIS 7. Åtvidabergs FF 8. Västerås SK 9. FC Café Opera 10. IF Brommapojkarna 11. Västra Frölunda IF 12. Falkenbergs FF 13. Bodens BK R-14. Enköpings SK R-15. IK Brage R-16. Friska Viljor FC Clinching spots in next season's Superettan through the Division 2 playoffs were Degerfors IF (over Umeå FC), and Ljungskile SK (over Väsby IK)Mjällby AIF will try and wrap up the final Division 2 playoff spot tomorrow at home against Husqvarna FF. Mjällby leads that tie 3-1, as they attempt to win a qualifier, after losing last season to GAIS. Trelleborg have already been relegated from the Allsvenskan for next season, there will be at least one more club joining them, possibly 2, depending on how the playoffs go.
If you would have told me before the start of the season that Gefle were going to be in Allsvenskan, then i would have told the bartender to stop serving you as you would have had too much to drink. Hopefully, they'll do a bit better than Trelleborg did this season.
Mjällby secures promotion from Division 2 to the Superettan in fine style today, hammering Husqvarna FF 6-2, in the 2nd leg of their qualifying tie, and winning the tie overall 9-3. Mjällby were relegated from the Superettan in 2002, one season after losing the Allsvenskan qualifying playoff to IFK Norrköping. Last season saw a playoff loss to GAIS, and this season they secure promotion on the 2nd try, joining Degerfors and Ljungskile. AIK was also relegated out of the Allsvenskan today, joining Trelleborg in next season's Superettan. The final spot, either Assyriska, or the eventual 12th place finisher in the Allsvenskan will be decided after the playoff matches on November 3 (at Assyriska's home field in Södertälje), and November 7 (At the Allsvenskan side)