Umeå FC — Piteå IF (16-06-2023)

I have driven some 7 hours north of Stockholm to get to Umeå, where I’ll see the local FC in the Ettan Fotboll (Third Division). But when I arrive at the ground, 45 minutes before kick-off, I panic. There is no one! There is no music or other sound.

I walk to the stadium and see that the entrance is open. I ask the older guy at the entrance whether Umeå FC plays tonight and he says “yes” and that entrance is free. At this time, there are only some 25 people.

The Umeå Energi Arena (originally Gammliavallen) sounds like a horrible soulless building but it is in fact a gorgeous stadium with a capacity of 6,000 (although Wikipedia is inconsistent on this across pages), with two stands on the long sides, one low, one a bit higher, made from wood.

They play on artificial turf, which makes sense given the climate. Allegedly, the stadium was built in 1925 but it looks very new. The stadium is shared between three soccer teams: Umeå FC, Umeå IK (top tier women’s team) and Team TG FF, which plays in Division 1 Nord. We are roughly one-third into the 2023 season and Umeå FC is 7th and Piteå IF 12th in the Ettan. Piteå is about 200 km, or 2.5 hours, north of Umeå but I don’t think there are any away fans. Most people in the stadium don’t wear any gear of any soccer team.

It is exceptionally warm in Umeå this evening: some 24 C and even hotter in the sun. This explains why most of the 1,000 people sit on the big stand which gets all the sun. The fans are white and male, overall a bit older.

In the 7th minute the guests have the first chance, but it goes just wide. In the 25th minute, another half chance for Piteå, but the half volley goes straight at the goalie. Three minutes later, a poor pass forward is deflected by a Piteå defender and the goalie, who is running towards to original pass, slips, and the ball rolls into the goal from 20 meter: 1-0. Comedy of errors.

Only in the 35th minute the hosts have their first shot on goal, but it literally goes straight at the goalie. The play is very slow, predictable, and risk averse. Consequently, the half time score is 1-0, to a weak applause from the audience. Overall, the atmosphere is cozy rather than heavily invested in the game.

The second half starts with a big chance for the guests, but the goalie saves at the post.The game is getting really bad now. Piteå attacks, kind of, and Umeå just kicks the ball far away. Very dire. This notwithstanding, the (ca. 25) ultras put on a pyro show.

In the 65th minute, Umeå finally attacks, but the finish is hard at the goalie. In the next minutes there is some pressure from the hosts, leading to several corners. A free kick from just outside of the box is placed low but just wide.

There is now a true onslaught of Umeå corners but none challenge the goalie. In contrast, some of their shots do. Piteå seems perfectly content with the 0-1 lead.

There is some drama in the extra time. First, a desperate Piteå attack ends with a shot at the goalie. Next, in the last attach of the game, Umeå sees a wild shot hit the crossbar from inside the box. Final score: 0-1.

Despite the dire quality of play, I really loved this hop. Sure, the weather helped, but the stadium, despite its modern name, is a true beauty. Go see it!