After roaring out to an undefeated start, IFK Göteborg has come back to earth with a thud. The Angels lost to Östers 2-0 June 1 and fell to third place as Helsingborg, Malmo and Elfsborg all claimed victories. Göteborg has 22 points, four points off the pace of league-leading Helsingborg. Malmo is one point back with 21 points while Elfsborg is now is second, level on 22 points but with a better goal difference.
The loss marked the second-straight poor result against a weaker side. Göteborg settled for a 1-1 draw May 22 with Gefle.
Since roaring out to a 4-2-0 start, Göteborg is 2-1-2 in its last give matches.
It almost the exact opposite of what’s happening at Djurgården. After going winless in its first seven matches, DIF is 3-1-0, including a 1-0 win May 30 over Kalmar. The recent success has allowed Djurgården to climb out of the basement and move two points clear of the relegation playoff spot. Although no one is quite dancing in the streets around Stockholm Stadium, the atmosphere at Djurgården has brightened considerably since former manager Magnus Pehrsson resigned in the wake of death threats made against him and his family due to the team’s poor start.

by Chipp Reid

Mjällby 5, Halmstad 1
SÖLVESBORG – Markus Ekenberg had a goal and an assist to lead Mjallby to a 5-1 win over last-place Halmstad June 1 at Strandvallen. Ekenberg scored in the 30th minute to put MAIF in front. Mikael Boman tied the match four minutes later for Halmstad. Ekenberg broke open the tie when he assisted Daniel Nilsson for the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute. Mjällby took advantage of Halmstad going a man down after Christian Järdler received a red card in the 74th minute to score three times in the last 11 minutes. Kristian Haynes and Marcus Pode both scored while Mjällby also benefitted from a Halmstad own goal.

Helsingborg 3, Åtvidaberg 0
HELSINGBORG – U.S. international Alejandro Bedoya had a goal and assist to lead Helsingborg to a 3-0 win over Åtvidaberg June 1 at Olympia Stadium. Bedoya tallied in the 15th minute and set up Christoffer Andersson four minutes from time. Ardian Gashi scored in the 26th minute.

Malmö 3, Brommapojkarna 1
VÄLLINGBY – Malmö knocked off Brommapojkarna 3-1 June 1 at Grimsta IP to keep pace with Helsingborg. Emil Forsberg notched a brace, including the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Simon Thern also tallied for Malmö. Nicklas Bakröth scored in the 50th minute to briefly tie the match for BP.

Östers 2, Göteborg 0
VÄXJÖ – Östers defeated IFK Göteborg 2-0 May 31 at Myresjohus Arena. Mario Vasilj staked Östers to a 1-0 lead in the 62nd minute. Vladica Zlojutro made the score 2-0 in the 73rd minute. Denis Velic assisted on both goals.

Elfsborg 1, Häcken 0
GÖTEBORG – Elfsborg won for the sixth time in seven matches as it knocked off BK Häcken 1-0 June 1 at Rambergsvallen. Tom Söderberg scored the lone goal of the match in the 17th minute.

AIK 1, Norrköping 0
NORRKÖPING – AIK leveled its record at 4-4-3 after a 1-0 win over Norrköping June 1 at Nya Parken. Nabil Bahoui scored at the 26-minute mark to give AIK the win.

Djurgården 1, Kalmar 0
STOCKHOLM – Djurgården won for the third time in four matches, knocking off Kalmar 1-0 May 30 at Guldfågeln Arena. Amadou Jawo struck in the 16th minute to give DIF the win. The goal was his fourth of the season. Jawo has scored half of Djurgården’s goals this season.

Syrianska 2, Gefle 2
SÖDERTÄLJE – Syrianska rallied from a 2-goal deficit to draw Gefle 2-2 June 1 at the Södertälje Football Arena. Johan Oremo and Jakob Orlov staked Gefle to a 2-0 lead after 14 minutes. Louay Chanko pulled a goal back for Syrianska in the 71st minute. Sebastian Rajalakso tied the match two minutes from time.