Djurgarden secured their third consecutive league win by defeating Mjällby 2-0 at Tele2 Arena on Thursday evening. The victory, reported by SVT Nyheter, was built on a solid defence and an unexpected offensive contribution from goalkeeper Jacob Rinne.
The club now sits third in the Allsvenskan table with 35 points from 19 games, a position you can track on our standings page. Their record reads 11 wins, two draws, and six losses. With 43 goals scored and only 19 conceded, they possess the league's best goal difference at +24. However, they remain seven points behind leaders Sirius in the title race.
How was the match against Mjällby decided?
After a goalless first half, Djurgarden broke the deadlock after the break. Kristian Lien scored the opener from a cross from the right. The decisive second goal originated from a direct long goal kick by goalkeeper Jacob Rinne. The ball reached Jeppe Okkels, who finished clinically for 2-0. Rinne kept a clean sheet and registered his first assist for the club.
"It was about time I got an assist," said Jacob Rinne post-match. He added about his long pass: "I was very relieved that it went in. I thought it went over at first." For Mjällby, last season's surprise champions, their poor run of form continues. Their goalkeeper Sebastian Hansen made his first Allsvenskan start.
What role did Jacob Rinne play?
Jacob Rinne's performance was crucial beyond the clean sheet. His long kick leading to the 2-0 goal is a rare example of a goalkeeper directly creating a goal. This security from the back gave the team a stable foundation. With only 19 goals conceded all season, Djurgarden's defence is one of the league's strongest units, a statistic you can examine further on our stats page.
This win also marked Djurgarden's first run of three straight league victories since the spring of 2024. It's an important mental boost ahead of the tough season run-in.
Which new faces made their debuts?
Both teams fielded new players during the match. For Djurgarden, new signing Charlie Rosenqvist made his debut. The winger, signed from Kalmar, was introduced as a second-half substitute. His presence broadens the offensive options for the manager.
Mjällby responded by giving goalkeeper Sebastian Hansen his first Allsvenskan start. The team's captain, Tom Pettersson, could not prevent a third consecutive loss for his side.
What's next for Djurgarden?
Djurgarden now has a break from league action before their next fixture. They return to face IF Brommapojkarna away on October 18th. BP currently sits tenth in the table. All upcoming competitive matches are listed on our fixtures page.
With a strong defence and an attack finding its rhythm, Djurgarden is a serious threat at the top. The seven-point gap to Sirius is a challenge, but with this form, anything is possible. The next test awaits at Grimsta IP in mid-October.
