IF Elfsborg
Encyclopedia
IF Elfsborg (ˈɛlfsbɔrj) is a Swedish football club
located in Borås
. The club has won five national championship titles, the latest in 2006, and two national cup titles. Currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan
. Elfsborg is based at Borås Arena
. The club is affiliated to the Västergötlands Fotbollförbund
.
for the first time. During the 1930s Elfsborg managed to build a very strong team led by striker Sven Jonasson
, who appeared in both the 1934
and 1938
World Cup. In 1936
Elfsborg won Allsvenskan for the first time, and two more titles followed soon after (1939
and 1940
). During this period Elfsborg had as many as seven players in the Swedish national team
.
In 1941 Elfsborg left Ramnavallen to play their home games at the newly constructed Ryavallen
. The first game at the new ground was supposed to be a friendly between Sweden
and Finland
, but Finland
's involvement in the Second World War prevented them from playing, so they were replaced by Elfsborg, who beat the Swedish national team 2–1.
In the mid 1940s Elfsborg came close to winning Allsvenskan again, but finished second three years in a row. By the late 1940s Elfsborg's glory days were over, and the club was eventually relegated in 1954.
In 1960 Elfsborg won promotion after an impressive season with 20 wins in 22 games, and the club managed to win Allsvenskan for the fourth time in 1961, becoming the first Swedish team to go straight from the second level to becoming champions.
In 1977
Elfsborg reached second place, but the following years proved difficult for the club. In 1987
Elfsborg finished last in Allsvenskan, and did not return to the top flight until 1997
. The team that won promotion contained several future Swedish internationals including Anders Svensson and Tobias Linderoth
. Even though Elfsborg won their first two cup titles (in 2001 and 2003), the club struggled to stay in Allsvenskan in the following years.
In 2005 Elfsborg spent a lot of money on building Borås Arena, and bringing back former players. The investments paid off and the fifth Championship was won in 2006
– the club's first Allsvenskan title for 45 years. The year after Elfsborg appeared in the Champions League qualifying stage
for the first time, and subsequently reached the group stage in the UEFA Cup
for the first time. On the way there they knocked out Linfield FC (Northern Ireland) and Debreceni VSC
(Hungary) in the qualification stage of the Champions League before eventually being eliminated themselves by the hands of Valencia CF
(Spain) in the last round. The club won the last round of qualifications for the Uefa Cup against FC Dinamo Bucureşti (Romania).
In the group stage IF Elfsborg faced AC Fiorentina and Villarreal away and AEK Athens and FK Mladá Boleslav
at Borås Arena and was knocked out.
In the following years, IF Elfsborg under the guidance of coach Magnus Haglund and his 4-2-3-1-formation have established themselves as a top club in Swedish football. The clearly stated ambition to finish top 4, qualifying for european football every year. In 2007, the club finished 4th securing a place in the last edition of the Intertoto-cup, from which they advanced but was surprisingly knocked out by St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup
after conceding late goals in both legs.
The team bounced back though, competing for the title again until the very last round of 2008
. In the end, injuries to key players like Anders Svensson and Stefan Ishizaki
proved to costly, eventually having to settle for second place behind Kalmar FF
.
The following year, IF Elfsborg once again challenged for a place in European football, brushing aside Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladás
and Portuguese S.C. Braga before eventually falling in the last qualifying round against S.S. Lazio
.
IF Elfsborg were big favourites for winning the 2009
but had problem capitalizing on their high possession and many chances and eventually ended up third behind AIK
and rivals IFK Göteborg
.
The following year expectations were still high, but due to a mediocre start (only nine points in the first 9 rounds), IF Elfsborgs 2010 campaign increasingly became an uphill struggle trying, but in the end failing to catch up to Helsingborgs IF
and Malmö FF
. Malmö FF
eventually ended up champions with a IF Elfsborg in fourth place.
2010 marked IF Elfsborg's fourth consecutive season in continental football. The team entered the Europa League second qualifying round in the seeded pot having no real difficulties eliminating Moldovan side FC Iskra (on an aggregate score of 3–1). FYROM side FC Teteks proved to be no real challenge in the following round with IF Elfsborg effectively seeing of their opponents in an emphatic 5–0 win first leg win.
The team seemed in good shape to make a serious challenge for reaching the Europa League group stage even though they would be unseeded in the last qualifying round. Unfortunately the draw was once again one of the worst possible. SSC Napoli was held to a 1–0 win away at Stadio San Paolo
following a stellar effort by new Danish signing Jesper Christiansen
, but the Italians proved too strong in the second leg where they cruised to a 2–0 victory, both goals scored by Uruguay international Edinson Cavani.
The 2010 season was a busy year for transfers, both in and out. Sweden international Emir Bajrami
making his way to FC Twente
during the summer and top goalscorer Denni Avdic
moving to Werder Bremen during the January transfer window. Three players were signed from danish clubs. Former hero Jon Jönsson was brought in from Brøndby IF
during the summer to bolster the defense, goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen
from FC København and right back Andreas Klarström
from Esbjerg fB
making a comeback to the club.
The club made some more signings during the 2010–2011 winter. Most notable were forward Lasse Nilsson
from Vitesse, central defender Andreas Augustsson
from Randers FC
and target man David Elm
from Fulham F.C.
. Once again, many of the media pundits were thinking that IF Elfsborg were firm favourites to win the 2011.
In early spring former allsvenskan
top goalscorer Fredrik Berglund
decided to hang up his boots.
The 2011 campaign showed an IF Elfsborg seemingly set on playing a more straight-forward counter-attacking game, at least away. This seemed to be a recipe for success since the team started grabbing a few more away wins here and there. after the first half of the season the team was trailing Helsingborgs IF
at the top of the table. Young left winger Niklas Hult
was the standout player during the first half of the season, quickly establishing himself in the team and beeing touted by some members of the press as "the new Fredrik Ljungberg
".
In continental football, IF Elfsborg entered the fray in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. CS Fola Esch
were brushed aside after winning 4–0 in the first leg at home and drwaing (1–1) away.
Denni Avdić
Emir Bajrami
Fredrik Berglund
Ove Grahn
Samuel Holmén
Stefan Ishizaki
Sven Jonasson
Tobias Linderoth
Teddy Lučić
Johan Sjöberg
Anders Svensson Mathias Svensson
Coaching and medical staff
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
located in Borås
Borås
Borås is a locality and the seat of Borås Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. It had 63,441 inhabitants in 2005.- Geography :Borås is located at the point of two crossing railways, among them the railway between Gothenburg and Kalmar, and is often considered the Swedish city gaining the...
. The club has won five national championship titles, the latest in 2006, and two national cup titles. Currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
. Elfsborg is based at Borås Arena
Borås Arena
Borås Arena is a football stadium in Borås, Sweden. It is the home ground of IF Elfsborg and Norrby IF and was opened in 2005. Borås Arena has an artificial turf pitch, Playfoot XM40 by FieldTurf, and has a capacity of 14,500–17,800 depending on usage. Both clubs presently using the stadium...
. The club is affiliated to the Västergötlands Fotbollförbund
Västergötlands Fotbollförbund
The Västergötlands Fotbollförbund is one of the 24 district organisations of the Swedish Football Association...
.
History
Borås Fotbollslag was formed on June 26, 1904, by a group of youngsters. In 1906 the name was changed to IF Elfsborg, because the founders felt there were too many teams with 'Borås' in their name. In 1926 Elfsborg won Västsvenska Serien, and defeated Halmstad BK in the play off, and was promoted to AllsvenskanAllsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
for the first time. During the 1930s Elfsborg managed to build a very strong team led by striker Sven Jonasson
Sven Jonasson
Sven Jonasson was a Swedish football striker. He was born in Borås and died in Varberg.He played for IF Elfsborg and the Sweden national football team, for whom he appeared in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. He scored two goals in 1934 and one in 1938...
, who appeared in both the 1934
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
and 1938
1938 FIFA World Cup
The 1938 FIFA World Cup was the third staging of the World Cup, and was held in France from 4 June to 19 June. Italy retained the championship, beating Hungary 4–2 in the final.-Host selection:...
World Cup. In 1936
Allsvenskan 1935-36
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1935/1936.-League table:...
Elfsborg won Allsvenskan for the first time, and two more titles followed soon after (1939
Allsvenskan 1938-39
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1938/1939.- League table :...
and 1940
Allsvenskan 1939-40
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1939/1940.-League table:...
). During this period Elfsborg had as many as seven players in the Swedish national team
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
.
In 1941 Elfsborg left Ramnavallen to play their home games at the newly constructed Ryavallen
Ryavallen
Ryavallen is a multi-purpose stadium in Borås, Sweden. From its inauguration in 1941 to 2004, it was the home of IF Elfsborg who now play at Borås Arena. During the 1958 FIFA World Cup, it hosted the matches between USSR and Austria, and between England and Austria.The record attendance is 22,654...
. The first game at the new ground was supposed to be a friendly between Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and Finland
Finland national football team
The Finland national football team represents Finland in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland....
, but Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
's involvement in the Second World War prevented them from playing, so they were replaced by Elfsborg, who beat the Swedish national team 2–1.
In the mid 1940s Elfsborg came close to winning Allsvenskan again, but finished second three years in a row. By the late 1940s Elfsborg's glory days were over, and the club was eventually relegated in 1954.
In 1960 Elfsborg won promotion after an impressive season with 20 wins in 22 games, and the club managed to win Allsvenskan for the fourth time in 1961, becoming the first Swedish team to go straight from the second level to becoming champions.
In 1977
Allsvenskan 1977
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1977.-League standings:- References :...
Elfsborg reached second place, but the following years proved difficult for the club. In 1987
Allsvenskan 1987
Statistics of Allsvenskan in season 1987.-Overview:Allsvenskan 1987 was played between 12 April and 4 October 1987 and was won by Malmo FF. The championship play-off finals were played from 10 to 31 October 1987 and was won by IFK Gothenburg, who defeated Malmo FF in the final and thus became...
Elfsborg finished last in Allsvenskan, and did not return to the top flight until 1997
Allsvenskan 1997
Allsvenskan 1997, part of the 1997 Swedish football season, was the 73rd Allsvenskan season played. Halmstads BK won the league ahead of runners-up IFK Göteborg, while Västerås SK, Degerfors IF and Panos Ljungskile SK were relegated.- League table :...
. The team that won promotion contained several future Swedish internationals including Anders Svensson and Tobias Linderoth
Tobias Linderoth
Tobias Jan Håkan Linderoth is a former Swedish football player.-Club career:Linderoth played for Stabæk and then an unremarkable spell at Everton marred by injury, where he scored once against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup, before he joined Copenhagen in summer 2004...
. Even though Elfsborg won their first two cup titles (in 2001 and 2003), the club struggled to stay in Allsvenskan in the following years.
In 2005 Elfsborg spent a lot of money on building Borås Arena, and bringing back former players. The investments paid off and the fifth Championship was won in 2006
Allsvenskan 2006
Allsvenskan 2006, part of the 2006 Swedish football season, was the 82nd Allsvenskan season played. The first match was played 1 April 2006 and the last match was played 5 November 2006...
– the club's first Allsvenskan title for 45 years. The year after Elfsborg appeared in the Champions League qualifying stage
UEFA Champions League 2007–08
The 2007–08 UEFA Champions League was the 16th season of UEFA's premier European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League, since it was rebranded in 1992, and the 53rd tournament overall....
for the first time, and subsequently reached the group stage in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup 2007–08
The 2007–08 UEFA Cup was the 37th edition of the UEFA Cup, UEFA's second tier club football tournament. The final was played at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England on 14 May 2008 between Rangers of Scotland and Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia. Zenit won the match 2–0, with...
for the first time. On the way there they knocked out Linfield FC (Northern Ireland) and Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC
Debreceni VSC or just Debrecen or DVSC is a football club from the city of Debrecen in Hungary. They are best known for reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League 2009–10 season. Debreceni VSC has been the most successful Hungarian club since 2000. The club has won the Hungarian...
(Hungary) in the qualification stage of the Champions League before eventually being eliminated themselves by the hands of Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
(Spain) in the last round. The club won the last round of qualifications for the Uefa Cup against FC Dinamo Bucureşti (Romania).
In the group stage IF Elfsborg faced AC Fiorentina and Villarreal away and AEK Athens and FK Mladá Boleslav
FK Mladá Boleslav
FK Mladá Boleslav is a Czech football club from Mladá Boleslav.- Recent times :The team was promoted to Gambrinus liga for the first time in its history in 2004 and in their first top-flight season fought against relegation, eventually finishing in 14th place...
at Borås Arena and was knocked out.
In the following years, IF Elfsborg under the guidance of coach Magnus Haglund and his 4-2-3-1-formation have established themselves as a top club in Swedish football. The clearly stated ambition to finish top 4, qualifying for european football every year. In 2007, the club finished 4th securing a place in the last edition of the Intertoto-cup, from which they advanced but was surprisingly knocked out by St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
after conceding late goals in both legs.
The team bounced back though, competing for the title again until the very last round of 2008
Allsvenskan 2008
Allsvenskan 2008, part of the 2008 Swedish football season, was the 84th Allsvenskan season played. The first match was played on 30 March 2008 and the last matches were played on 9 November 2008.- Participating clubs :- Managers :- Standings :...
. In the end, injuries to key players like Anders Svensson and Stefan Ishizaki
Stefan Ishizaki
Stefan Ishizaki is a Swedish footballer of Japanese descent, playing for Elfsborg.-AIK:Born to a Japanese father and a Swedish mother, he started his career in Djurgårdens IF, however he shortly moved to Rågsveds IF instead and stayed with the club until 1999 when he signed a contract with major...
proved to costly, eventually having to settle for second place behind Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF
Kalmar FF is a Swedish football club located in Kalmar. Formed 10 January 1910, the club has won three national cup titles and 1 league title. Kalmar FF currently play in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan....
.
The following year, IF Elfsborg once again challenged for a place in European football, brushing aside Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladás
Szombathelyi Haladás
Szombathelyi Haladás is a Hungarian football club based in Szombathely. Haladás is the Hungarian word for progress. The club, which was founded in 1919, plays its home games at Rohonci úti Stadion which has a capacity of 12,000 . The club colours are green and white.Haladás reached the Hungarian...
and Portuguese S.C. Braga before eventually falling in the last qualifying round against S.S. Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
.
IF Elfsborg were big favourites for winning the 2009
Allsvenskan 2009
Allsvenskan 2009, part of the 2009 Swedish football season, was the 85th Allsvenskan season played. AIK clinched their first Swedish title since 1998.- Participating teams :- Overview :- League table :- Results :...
but had problem capitalizing on their high possession and many chances and eventually ended up third behind AIK
AIK Fotboll
AIK, , an abbreviation for Allmänna Idrottsklubben, , when needed internationally AIK Stockholm, is a Swedish football club based at Råsunda stadium in Solna, a municipality in Stockholm County bordering to Stockholm City Centre...
and rivals IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
.
The following year expectations were still high, but due to a mediocre start (only nine points in the first 9 rounds), IF Elfsborgs 2010 campaign increasingly became an uphill struggle trying, but in the end failing to catch up to Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
and Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
. Malmö FF
Malmö FF
Malmö Fotbollförening, also known simply as Malmö FF, are a Swedish professional football club based in Malmö. The club is affiliated with Skånes Fotbollförbund and play their home games at Swedbank Stadion. The club colours, reflected in their crest and kit, are sky blue and white...
eventually ended up champions with a IF Elfsborg in fourth place.
2010 marked IF Elfsborg's fourth consecutive season in continental football. The team entered the Europa League second qualifying round in the seeded pot having no real difficulties eliminating Moldovan side FC Iskra (on an aggregate score of 3–1). FYROM side FC Teteks proved to be no real challenge in the following round with IF Elfsborg effectively seeing of their opponents in an emphatic 5–0 win first leg win.
The team seemed in good shape to make a serious challenge for reaching the Europa League group stage even though they would be unseeded in the last qualifying round. Unfortunately the draw was once again one of the worst possible. SSC Napoli was held to a 1–0 win away at Stadio San Paolo
Stadio San Paolo
Stadio San Paolo is a multi-purpose stadium in the western suburb of Fuorigrotta in Naples, Italy, and is the third largest football stadium in Italy after the San Siro and Stadio Olimpico. For the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, it hosted the football preliminaries. It is currently used mostly for...
following a stellar effort by new Danish signing Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Ringsborg Christiansen is a Danish professional footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper for IF Elfsborg in the Allsvenskan championship. He has previously played for Danish Superliga clubs Odense BK, Vejle BK, Viborg FF, and F.C. Copenhagen, winning four Superliga championships and two Danish...
, but the Italians proved too strong in the second leg where they cruised to a 2–0 victory, both goals scored by Uruguay international Edinson Cavani.
The 2010 season was a busy year for transfers, both in and out. Sweden international Emir Bajrami
Emir Bajrami
Emir Bajrami is a Swedish footballer of Kosovo Albanian descent playing for FC Twente and the Swedish national team. He scored his first Allsvenskan goal against Örebro SK in April 2007....
making his way to FC Twente
FC Twente
FC Twente is a Dutch professional football club from the city of Enschede, playing in the Eredivisie. The club was formed in 1965 by the merger of 1926 Eredivisie Champions, Sportclub Enschede and Enschedese Boys...
during the summer and top goalscorer Denni Avdic
Denni Avdic
Denni Avdić is a Swedish footballer who plays for Werder Bremen as a striker. He grew up in Huskvarna, where he played for Husqvarna FF. He has played one game for the Sweden national football team....
moving to Werder Bremen during the January transfer window. Three players were signed from danish clubs. Former hero Jon Jönsson was brought in from Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
during the summer to bolster the defense, goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Christiansen
Jesper Ringsborg Christiansen is a Danish professional footballer, who plays as a goalkeeper for IF Elfsborg in the Allsvenskan championship. He has previously played for Danish Superliga clubs Odense BK, Vejle BK, Viborg FF, and F.C. Copenhagen, winning four Superliga championships and two Danish...
from FC København and right back Andreas Klarström
Andreas Klarström
Andreas Klarström is a Swedish professional football midfielder, who currently plays for the Swedish side IF Elfsborg.-External links:** at Danmarks Radio...
from Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg fB
Esbjerg forenede Boldklubber also referred to as Esbjerg fB or simply EfB is a professional Danish football club from the port city of Esbjerg in West Jutland. The club was formed in 1924, as a merger between Esbjerg Boldklub af 1898 and Esbjerg Amatørklub af 1911. The club has training facilities...
making a comeback to the club.
The club made some more signings during the 2010–2011 winter. Most notable were forward Lasse Nilsson
Lasse Nilsson
Lasse Nilsson is a Swedish footballer who currently plays for the Elfsborg in the Swedish Allsvenskan.- Career :His former teams are IK Brage, IF Elfsborg, sc Heerenveen, Aalborg Boldspilklub and AS Saint-Étienne....
from Vitesse, central defender Andreas Augustsson
Andreas Augustsson
Andreas Augustsson is a Swedish football defender, currently playing for IF Elfsborg. He won the Swedish championship with Elfsborg in 2006, playing a crucial role in the central defence.-External links:**...
from Randers FC
Randers FC
Randers FC is a Danish professional football team based in Randers, which plays in the top-flight Danish Superliga championship. Founded as a merger on January 1, 2003, the club builds upon the license of Randers Freja, a former three-time Danish Cup winning team...
and target man David Elm
David Elm
The David Elm, Ulmus davidiana Planch., is a small deciduous tree widely distributed across China, Mongolia, Korea, Siberia, and Japan, where it is found in wetlands along streams at elevations of 2000 m to 2300 m...
from Fulham F.C.
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. Once again, many of the media pundits were thinking that IF Elfsborg were firm favourites to win the 2011.
In early spring former allsvenskan
Allsvenskan
Allsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
top goalscorer Fredrik Berglund
Fredrik Berglund
Fredrik Berglund is a Swedish former association football player who played for Stabæk in Tippeligaen, on loan from Elfsborg. Fredrik Berglund is nicknamed Bella. He played previously for F.C. Copenhagen and Esbjerg fB in Denmark and Roda JC of the Netherlands...
decided to hang up his boots.
The 2011 campaign showed an IF Elfsborg seemingly set on playing a more straight-forward counter-attacking game, at least away. This seemed to be a recipe for success since the team started grabbing a few more away wins here and there. after the first half of the season the team was trailing Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF
Helsingborgs IF , commonly referred to as Helsingborg and locally HIF, is a Swedish football club located in Helsingborg. They are currently playing in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan...
at the top of the table. Young left winger Niklas Hult
Niklas Hult
Niklas Hult born 13 February 1990 is a Swedish football player currently playing for IF Elfsborg from Sweden.-Youth years:Hult played for IFK Värnamo until 2009 when he left the club for IF Elfsborg.-IF Elfsborg:...
was the standout player during the first half of the season, quickly establishing himself in the team and beeing touted by some members of the press as "the new Fredrik Ljungberg
Fredrik Ljungberg
Karl Fredrik "Freddie" Ljungberg is a Swedish footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. Ljungberg was captain of the Swedish national team until he announced his international retirement after UEFA Euro 2008.Ljungberg was a model for Calvin Klein underwear...
".
In continental football, IF Elfsborg entered the fray in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. CS Fola Esch
CS Fola Esch
Sporting Circle Fola Esch , usually abbreviated to Fola Esch or simply Fola, is a football club, based in Esch-sur-Alzette, in south-western Luxembourg...
were brushed aside after winning 4–0 in the first leg at home and drwaing (1–1) away.
European Cups History
As of July 31, 2011| Competition | Matches | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It... |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| UEFA Cup UEFA Cup The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League... /Europa League |
40 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 54 | 67 |
First team squad
As of 03 June 2011.Out on loan
For season transfers, see transfers winter 2011–2012.Notable players
Thomas AhlströmThomas Ahlström
Thomas Ahlström is a former Swedish footballer.Thomas played for IF Elfsborg between 1971–1979 and 1982–84 and was the top scorer in Allsvenskan year 1983 with 16 goals. In 1979-82 he played in Olympiacos F.C., Greece. Thomas Ahlström was a member of the Swedish squad in the 1974 FIFA World...
Denni Avdić
Denni Avdic
Denni Avdić is a Swedish footballer who plays for Werder Bremen as a striker. He grew up in Huskvarna, where he played for Husqvarna FF. He has played one game for the Sweden national football team....
Emir Bajrami
Emir Bajrami
Emir Bajrami is a Swedish footballer of Kosovo Albanian descent playing for FC Twente and the Swedish national team. He scored his first Allsvenskan goal against Örebro SK in April 2007....
Fredrik Berglund
Fredrik Berglund
Fredrik Berglund is a Swedish former association football player who played for Stabæk in Tippeligaen, on loan from Elfsborg. Fredrik Berglund is nicknamed Bella. He played previously for F.C. Copenhagen and Esbjerg fB in Denmark and Roda JC of the Netherlands...
Ove Grahn
Ove Grahn
Jan-Olof "Ove" Grahn was a Swedish footballer.Grahn played for IF Elfsborg. He was then a professional in Switzerland for 10 years....
Samuel Holmén
Samuel Holmén
Samuel Holmén is a Swedish professional football midfielder, currently playing for the Turkish League side İstanbul BB.-Elfsborg:...
Stefan Ishizaki
Stefan Ishizaki
Stefan Ishizaki is a Swedish footballer of Japanese descent, playing for Elfsborg.-AIK:Born to a Japanese father and a Swedish mother, he started his career in Djurgårdens IF, however he shortly moved to Rågsveds IF instead and stayed with the club until 1999 when he signed a contract with major...
Sven Jonasson
Sven Jonasson
Sven Jonasson was a Swedish football striker. He was born in Borås and died in Varberg.He played for IF Elfsborg and the Sweden national football team, for whom he appeared in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. He scored two goals in 1934 and one in 1938...
Tobias Linderoth
Tobias Linderoth
Tobias Jan Håkan Linderoth is a former Swedish football player.-Club career:Linderoth played for Stabæk and then an unremarkable spell at Everton marred by injury, where he scored once against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup, before he joined Copenhagen in summer 2004...
Teddy Lučić
Teddy Lucic
Teddy Mark Šime Lučić is a Swedish former football defender. His last club was IF Elfsborg.-Early years:Lučić was born on 15 April 1973 in Biskopsgården, Gothenburg to Croatian father, Krešimir, and Finnish mother, Annis. His father Krešimir was also a football player. In 1966, Krešimir moved to...
Johan Sjöberg
Johan Sjöberg
Johan Sjöberg born 14 November 1980 is a Swedish football player currently playing for IF Elfsborg from Sweden.-Youth years:Larsson played for Mariedals IK until 1997 when he left the club for IF Elfsborg.-Personal life:...
Anders Svensson Mathias Svensson
Mathias Svensson
Mathias Svensson is a retired Swedish footballer. He played as striker and his last team was IF Elfsborg, having spent much of his career in England. He won three full international caps for Sweden during his career...
Club officials
IF Elfsborg- Chairman: Bo Johansson
- Director: Stefan Andreasson
- Sporting Director: Mathias SvenssonMathias SvenssonMathias Svensson is a retired Swedish footballer. He played as striker and his last team was IF Elfsborg, having spent much of his career in England. He won three full international caps for Sweden during his career...
Coaching and medical staff
- Manager: Jörgen LennartssonJörgen LennartssonJörgen Lennartsson is a Swedish football manager and the current manager of Elfsborg in Allsvenskan.Lennartsson is currently manager of Stabæk, where he started January 2011...
- Assistant manager: Peter Wettergren
- First team coach: Jesper Bengtsson
- Goalkeeping coach: Gert Hansen
- Fitness coach: Matti Demegaard
- Physiotherapist: Jan Andblad
- Physiotherapist: Martin Bergqvist
- U21 team manager: Jesper Bengtsson
- Head of Youth Development: Jan MakJan Mak-Career:He was caretaker at amateurside HVV Den Haag in 1971.After managing FC Volendam in his native Netherlands, Mak took charge of Swedish sides Halmstads BK between 1981 and 1984, IS Halmia, IK Brage and IF Elfsborg between 1988 and 1990...
Achievements
- Swedish ChampionsSwedish football championsSwedish football champions is a title held by the winners of the highest Swedish football league played each year, Allsvenskan. IFK Göteborg holds the record of most titles with 18 Swedish championships. After winning the 2011 Allsvenskan, Helsingborgs IF are the reigning Swedish football...
- Winners (5): 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1961, 2006
League
- AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
:- Winners (5): 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1961, 2006
- Runners-up (6): 1942–43, 1943–44, 1944–45, 1965, 1977, 2008
- Division 1 SödraDivision 1 SödraDivision 1 Södra is one of two leagues in the third level, Division 1, in the league system of Swedish football and comprises 14 Swedish football teams. Division 1 Södra had status as one of the official second level leagues from 1987 to 1999, but was replaced by Superettan in 2000...
:- Winners (1): 1996
Cups
- Svenska CupenSvenska CupenSvenska Cupen , is a knockout cup competition in Swedish football and the main Swedish football cup. Svenska Cupen usually refers to the men's tournament, although a women's tournament is also held. Each year 98 teams compete, comprising the 16 teams from Allsvenskan and the 16 teams of Superettan...
:- Winners (2): 2001, 2003
- Runners-up (3): 1942, 1980–81, 1996–97
- SupercupenSupercupenSupercupen is a one-off fixture in Swedish football played between the Allsvenskan champions and the winners of Svenska Cupen. The fixture is played before the start of the Allsvenskan season. In the event of a club winning the Double the runner up of the Allsvenskan takes part...
:- Winners (1): 2007
Records
- Most appearances, total: 410,
Sven JonassonSven JonassonSven Jonasson was a Swedish football striker. He was born in Borås and died in Varberg.He played for IF Elfsborg and the Sweden national football team, for whom he appeared in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. He scored two goals in 1934 and one in 1938... - Most goals scored, total: 252, Sven JonassonSven JonassonSven Jonasson was a Swedish football striker. He was born in Borås and died in Varberg.He played for IF Elfsborg and the Sweden national football team, for whom he appeared in the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. He scored two goals in 1934 and one in 1938...
- Away victory, Allsvenskan: 12–2 vs. IFK EskilstunaIFK EskilstunaIFK Eskilstuna is a Swedish football club located in Eskilstuna in Södermanland County. In their early seasons IFK had a proud record as a Allsvenskan club but they now play in Division 3 Västra Svealand which is the fifth tier of Swedish football....
, 19 April 1936 - Highest attendance, RyavallenRyavallenRyavallen is a multi-purpose stadium in Borås, Sweden. From its inauguration in 1941 to 2004, it was the home of IF Elfsborg who now play at Borås Arena. During the 1958 FIFA World Cup, it hosted the matches between USSR and Austria, and between England and Austria.The record attendance is 22,654...
: 22.654 vs. IFK NorrköpingIFK NorrköpingIFK Norrköping is a Swedish football club based in Norrköping. The club, formed on 29 May 1897, is currently playing in the first division of Swedish football, Allsvenskan...
, 1961 - Highest attendance, Borås Arena: 17,070 vs. Kalmar FFKalmar FFKalmar FF is a Swedish football club located in Kalmar. Formed 10 January 1910, the club has won three national cup titles and 1 league title. Kalmar FF currently play in the highest Swedish league, Allsvenskan....
, 4 July 2005
Footnotes
- A. The title of "Swedish Champions" has been awarded to the winner of four different competitions over the years. Between 1896 and 1925 the title was awarded to the winner of Svenska MästerskapetSvenska MästerskapetSvenska Mästerskapet was a Swedish football cup held to decide the Swedish Champions between 1896 and 1925.-Previous winners:-Cup champions:...
, a stand-alone cup tournament. No club were given the title between 1926 and 1930 even though the first-tier league AllsvenskanAllsvenskanAllsvenskan is a Swedish professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the Swedish football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 16 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Superettan...
was played. In 1931 the title was reinstated and awarded to the winner of Allsvenskan. Between 1982 and 1990 a play-offAllsvenskan play-offsThe Allsvenskan play-offs was a Swedish football cup held to decide the Swedish football champions between 1982 and 1990. The cup was created to increase the average attendance for Allsvenskan since public interest had dropped remarkably in the previous years. The four best placed teams in...
in cup format was held at the end of the league season to decide the champions. After the play-off format in 1991 and 1992 the title was decided by the winner of MästerskapsserienMästerskapsserienMästerskapsserien was a short-lived Swedish football league played 1991 and 1992 to decide the Swedish Champions. The top six teams from Allsvenskan qualified for Mästerskapsserien while the four bottom had to play the promotion and relegation Kvalsvenskan league with four and two teams from...
, an additional league after the end of Allsvenskan. Since the 1993 season the title has once again been awarded to the winner of Allsvenskan.
External links
- IF Elfsborg – official site
- Guliganerna – official supporter club site
- Ålgårdsläktaren – supporter site
- Elfsborgsläktaren – supporter site
- BornYellow – history and statistics
- Vi Gule – supporter forum