CZECH DIARY

Czech expedition finally (after all) in Sölvesborg.

2 years ago, when I heard about MAIF for the first time, I can´t imagine, that I will also stand with supporters at Strandvallen one day.

I knew about Superettan little bit earlier, it was slightly connected with betting. Cause I should say, that is my hobby. I remember first superettans game ever, which I predicted. It was match Assyriska FF against Vastra Frölunda. Kabba Samura, striker of the Assyrians guys is one of the players, which I never forget.

But time goes and I started to know about MAIF and especially about Superettan more and more. My taste grew faster. I bought swedish vocabulary and added svenskafans.se to my bookmarks. Then Pavel, Dusan and Lukás moved to Sweden, I found Ze French Minks blog and started to be in contact with Supermink.

I got first invitation to Sölvesborg in 2005, in the time when MAIF keep Superettan in last round against Bodens. But i was so young to make this trip.

Two years later i decided, that is a perfect time to make the journey. MAIF on the fire, perfect results, strong squad, quaterfinal of svenska cup and nice summer time. I talked to my friend Jan about this trip and we decided to go. We flew from Prague to Copenhagen (air lenght takes only one hour!) and then go by train to Sölvesborg. We made also little tour in Copenhagen before and saw World cup of homeless football. Then we finally came to Sölvesborg, met there Supermink and cie and get to fantastic community and atmosphere.




One day after our arrival, we were at big cup game against IFK Göteborg. Dusan was not in start line up, but never mind, it was great game. MAIF looks better than their allsvenskan opponent, especially in first sixty minutes. Patrick Osiako, Marcus Ekenberg, Marcelo Sarvas and Tobbe Johansson have to be mentioned. They played really good game, as same as whole team. We were stand in front of the supporters. What a great atmosphere! They shouted and sang all the time. Only few minutes missing to great success to advance to semifinal. I bought MAIF jersey after the game to never forget my Strandvallen visit.

We were also at the Sölvesborgs GIF versus FK Almeboda/Linneryds, 2divison match. We met there many guys, which we can saw at the ground on thursday. We also spoke with Dusan and Patrick for quite long time. Blackdressed guys from Sölvesborgs GIF didn´t showed much. Only one player could be praised, Abiola Dauda, who scored two goals for SGIF.

We saw MAIF again in action against GIF Sundsvall on sunday evening. We counted before the game, that guys will be tired, but the reality was poorer than we expected. Defense line of MAIF looks like veterans. Daniel Ivanovski was totally unable to play, he is still injured, so we don´t know, why he played again. Robin Cederberg and Marcus Lindberg, guys which were absolutely great against IFK made terrible mistakes against GIF. Dusan received three goals maybe from the three shots in first halftime, bad day for MAIF. Second half was rather better and we saw enough scoring opportunities for MAIF. Next 45 minutes brought also two red cards for "Giffarna" and Ekenbergs goal from the penalty. It was funny to see Mika Sankala (coach of GIF), his team led 3:0 in HT, but he looks like a devil still. Final score 1:3 for GIF speaks clearly.

By the way, one piquancy from swedish football. We were so surprised, when we saw, that linemans wearing regular trainers, cause in Czech republic referees wearing football boots as well as players. It could be quite dangerous to run in these boots on wet ground, like was on thursday.

On monday we leaved Sölvesborg and went to see Allsvenskan game MFF vs HIF. It was quite interesting to compare differences between Allsvenskan and Supererettan. MFF was better in first half, HIF in the second half. Jimmy Dixon and Razak Omotoyossi were best players on the field. Final result 1:1 is a fair and we have to praise home fans, which created great atmosphere.

In Malmo we saw also IFK stadium and ice hockey stadium, where was a Redhawks training. Our trip finished on wednesday, when we flew from Copenhagen to Prague, "heart" of Europe.

It was fantastic tour, we got to know swedish mentality and lifestyle. Now we can finally say, that we saw stadiums and players, which we knew only from newspapers before.

We must say: thanks a lot especially for Bruno and Maria, which provided accommodation and service for us.

Goodbye Sweden, hopefully not for the last time!

Milan