Bergnåsets AIK — Sandviks IK (17-06-2023)

I arrive at the ground of Bergnåsets AIK (BAIK) over an hour before the 2 PM kick-off, just to make sure I am at the right place and they actually play. After having confirmed that, I go to downtown Luleå to raid some food trucks.

Upon returning 30 minutes before kick-off, I see players warm up and even hear some distant music. Somewhat surprisingly, I have to pay (SEK 60 or $5.60), but of course I don’t get a ticket. The game is in the Division 2 Norrland, which is actually the Sixth Division in Sweden, and both Umeå FC and Piteå Ik are mid-table.

The Bergsvallen “stadium” is part of a sport park and constitutes of a small, old, wooden bleacher on part of one long side. There are almost 100 people, a lot of younger guys, some seem to play for the team at other levels.

It is again a surprisingly warm day, roughly 21 C, but the wind makes it a bit cold at times (perfect to play though). Both teams have a lot of young players and the whole refereeing team is very young. In the 3th minute the hosts have an enormous chance but the striker hits it well over the goal from about 5 meters. After another BAIK chance, a S free kick is missed by everyone in the box until a player puts the tip of his foot against it and scores: 0-1.

In the 21st minute, after the game is halted for a long injury break, the hosts score a great free kick from just outside of the box: 1-1. A stunner! Overall, though, the game is a lot of complaining, falling, and high balls to nowhere. After another BAIK free kick is deflected on the crossbar, they do score again, in the 45th minute, after the ball bounces up in the box and the striker shoots it hard in the goal with a half volley. 2-1 is also the half time score.

The second half is just blunt (physical) and includes a lot of smaller and bigger fouls. As a consequence, almost no good soccer is played. Overall, really annoying. In the 60th minute, a slow and low Sandviks shot from outside the box just rolls through players and the goalie let’s it go, but, luckily for him, it ends up on the post.

In the 77th minute the hosts finally have a good attack again, which is finished hard and low in the far corner: 3-1. Five minutes later, a BAIK corner is cleared but brought back well and headed into the goal from 5 meter: 4-1. That would also be the final score.

In the end, it is an easy win for the home team, but it was overall pretty dismal soccer. Too many long high balls, too physical challenges, dives and complaints. The ground is minimal but the tower-shaped kiosk gives it some flair.