Kalmar FF climbed out of the Allsvenskan relegation playoff zone on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, after a 2-1 victory over Degerfors IF. The win ended a seven-match scoring drought for Kalmar and pushed Degerfors into a relegation playoff position with six matches remaining in the season.
The match at Stora Valla began as a contest between two teams separated by a single point, both fighting to avoid the drop. Kalmar secured the result with a rapid start, scoring twice in the first 17 minutes to take control of the game. The match was officiated by referee Mohammed Al-Hakim.
Kalmar’s End to a 7-Match Scoring Drought
Kalmar entered the match having failed to score in seven consecutive Allsvenskan games, a drought lasting 639 minutes of play. That streak ended in the third minute when Marius Söderbäck scored the team’s first league goal since Aug. 9. Vilmer Tyrén provided the assist for the opener and later scored the second goal in the 17th minute after an assist from Söderbäck.
Söderbäck expressed a positive feeling about starting the match in that manner. The victory represents Kalmar’s first three points in the league since July 25 and their first away win of the entire season. Despite the early lead, Kalmar struggled to maintain dominance in the second half, relying on their defense to hold the lead. Charles Sagoe Jr. missed a one-on-one chance during the second half when the visitors failed to find a third goal.
Kalmar player Lars Sætra noted that the early goal helped players regain their confidence. Sætra admitted that while the team should be very satisfied with the win, they felt they should have scored at least two more goals in the second half. He also joked about celebrating the result with a beer after the team stayed overnight in Örebro.
Degerfors’ Fall to the Relegation Playoff
The home side attempted to reorganize in a circle after the first goal and created a major chance in the 29th minute, where Nahom Netabay hit the post before Noel Milleskog hit the crossbar via the feet of Kalmar goalkeeper Samuel Brolin.
Netabay later emphasized that this reduction before halftime was very important because of their poor start. Brolin was forced into a sharp save shortly before the break to prevent an equalizer.
First 30 is total catastrophe. We are nowhere and they take all the balls. Then we let off the gas a bit. We start to move and want the ball. But they have two goals to go on and maybe go down a bit. But we cannot give away two goals like that.
The loss leaves Degerfors in the relegation playoff spot. The team now faces a high-pressure run to the finish, including a match against BK Häcken on Oct. 24 at the Nordic Wellness Arena in Gothenburg. They must improve their play to remain in Allsvenskan in 2027, as they struggled with possession without creating value in the second half, where Matvei Igonen’s goalkeeping helped prevent further goals.
Management Stability Amid Bottom-Table Pressure
Following the loss, coach Henok Goitom expressed that the team did not deserve more than the result they received.
The stakes for the remaining matches are high, as Degerfors is currently only two points ahead of Örgryte in the standings. The two sides are scheduled to meet in the final round of the season, with 18 points still available to be played for.
Allsvenskan Bottom Table Standings
The result shifted the dynamic of the relegation battle after 24 rounds of play. While Kalmar moved to safer ground, other teams continue to struggle with varying schedules and form.
| Position | Team | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Mjällby | 23 | -12 |
| 13 | Kalmar | 22 | -15 |
| 14 (Playoff) | Degerfors | 20 | -16 |
| 15 (Relegation) | Örgryte | 18 | -25 |
| 16 (Relegation) | Halmstad | 14 | -29 |