It started shakily in the November cold. After just a few minutes, Öster nodded in the crossbar and pressed on, while GAIS had difficulty getting rhythm on a bouncing carpet. Sims got away with a pass, the combination game was hacked and the duels were more than the well-measured passes. The crowd still brought out green-black, and then, almost out of nowhere, it narrowed.
In the 24th minute, Ibrahim Diabate received the ball at the penalty area line. A quick strike later it was sitting high and hard to Wallinder’s left. 1–0 and a Gamla Ullevi that exploded. The goal gave respite and confidence, GAIS rose and began to gain ground on the edges. But just when the half seemed to flow into the green and black’s advantage, the cold shower came, in the 40th minute Uddenäs ran loose on the left, play, messy in front of the goal and Ljung poked in 1-1. Shortly afterwards, a penalty was called when Diabate went over. Half time 1-1.
The second half opened with a reminder of how fragile the situation was, when Aliev nodded narrowly over and Öster sniffed the away lead. After that there was a lot of GAIS. Milovanovic and Diabate broke through in the box, Lundgren found surfaces and the attacks came in waves. A well-directed attack, Lundgren’s heel to Milovanovic, on to Diabate, gave a corner, and GAIS was really close: Milovanovic reached the highest and nodded into the crossbar. The crowd felt a sense of victory.
The big topic of conversation came just after the hour. Sims threw out quickly, Boudri sped all the way into the penalty area and fell, Old Ullevi in a state of dissolution called for a penalty, but referee Wolf acquitted. GAIS nevertheless continued to push. The double substitution with Wendin Thomasson and Fagerjord brought new energy, later Lindberg and Becirovic also came and it was Lindberg who immediately made his mark with a forced free kick, a dangerous half volley that hit the post and a constant threat between the lines.
At the same time, the minutes ticked by in Stockholm and news from there kept the green and black in a European place. But the nerve never let up at Gamla Ullevi. Öster stepped up with Adjei forcing Sims into a qualified save, a corner even taking the GAIS crossbar. It swelled, it burned, and with seven minutes of added time everything was still on the line.
In the end, the drama tipped over in GAIS’s favor. In 90+7, Lundgren ran free and was kicked down by Adolfsson, who was shown the red and sent off. It was a free kick just outside the penalty area, not a penalty, but a golden opportunity in the 99th. Wendin Thomasson stepped up and sent it towards the goal, but it was saved. Soon after, the final whistle sounded with 1-1 on the board. The players sank to the grass, then stood in a ring and followed the last trembling minutes in Stockholm.
When even that match was over, everything broke. “Opa Opa” in the loudspeakers, players and supporters danced together, and the scenes of joy never ended. GAIS secured third place in Allsvenskan 2025 – and for the first time since 1989/1990, green and black will qualify for European play.
This was not GAIS’ most brilliant effort. The first half was choppy, the equalizer unnecessary and the margins had to be wrestled home in a couple of tough sequences. But the team showed its backbone and found ways to control emotions, raise the intensity and play for results when required. Diabate’s gun, Lundgren’s engine, Milovanovic’s weight and a collective that refuses to bow down – it was enough all the way to a historic announcement. Europe is waiting. Oops!
The match in brief:
Made: Sims, Wängberg (Frej 78′), Cardaklija, Ågren, De Brienne (Wendin Thomasson 62′), Milovanovic, Holmén (Lindberg 84′), Boudri (Becirovic 84′), Lundgren, Diabate, Niklasson Petrovic (Fagerjord 62′)
The goals:
1-0 I Diabate 24′
1-1 D Heather 40′
Warnings (in GAIS): Cardaklija (64′), Wendin Thomasson (70′)
Public: 12 123 (please say goodbye)
Match photo: Lasse Ekström
