SFS X Part 1/4
Matchday 1
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 5–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 2–0 Transport Hovikkära
Traktor St. Andrei 0–2 RLSK Pawlograd
Rotor Värstjö 1–1 ASK Landsmark
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 1–3 CASK Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 ESK Storevik
As is tradition, the season opener goes to the champions, and Libertas are welcoming us all in Bergheim with a beautiful celebration of their title. In a small ceremony, captain Calle Vikingstad returns the trophy to SFFB President Anders Lundström and are presented with a replica and their championship banner in return; and then, Lok are welcomed onto the pitch for the season opener.
The guests, despite their offensive increase in power, show hospitality. Bogdan Rawic up front hasn’t quite clicked with his teammates yet, running offside twice in the first twenty minutes and missing a cross by Grivoshenko; although the Zeta Rekan national striker is trying, he just hasn’t fully arrived in Jarnstad yet. On the other side, Geddes and Nurkanen are pressing high and restricting the wings; Ericsson loses the ball to Nurkanen and causes a counter, but Bathanays header bounces off the crossbar. Nonetheless, Libertas take the lead in the first half with a free kick by Arkanin, deflected with a sliding shot by Lajunen, and the striker takes the first goal of the season for himself. In defence, Brenecian Trixie Cottan is showing her skill with a razor-sharp tackle on Rawic when he has his first big chance, and Trischuk denies Ljurbyn right after the break. One of the best players on pitch is Adrian Klaebo, sending out many passes despite pressure from Arkanin, but in the end Trischuk, Goodharvest and Cottan are holding the line for a 1-0 victory of the defending champions.
Torpedo have drawn the lot to welcome FK Sjoedrhavn back to the league, and they seem to enjoy the task. New signing Kimi Hartikainen picks up an assist with a cross to Jamarin in the centre, and captain Roope adds one after twenty minutes. Then, a clumsy tackle by Eskildsen gives Zhirkov a free kick - 3-0. No mercy is extended to FKS, and while at least Tikariot’s Liam Trout announces himself to the SFS with a goal, Torpedo sink the promotees 1-5. Admiral also struggle at home despite an early goal by Jotansson, smashing home a cross by Leopold. But then, CASK’s machine kicks into gear. Janna Sauthier runs circles around Lavrov and gets a goal and an assist before the break; shortly after the break, a through pass by Wen Xiaohui finds Smolov and the combo of two new signings seals Admiral’s fate.
Matchday 2
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 ESK Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Admiral Storevik
Landsmarks Industrie 3–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ASK Landsmark 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
RLSK Pawlograd 1–3 Rotor Värstjö
Transport Hovikkära 1–3 Traktor St. Andrei
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Libertas Bergheim
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn have big expectations after signing 25 year old Giovanna Vitale, a Savigliane winger in the best footballing age, but fell flat on the first day as they just couldn’t get a ball past SVV. Today, Admiral Storevik won’t make for an easier opponent, and once again, Vitale struggles thanks to her direct opposition Boris Lavrov having a splendid day. Lavrov covers off the Savigliane expertly, but the Dynamo defence is no slouch either and former Northlights centre-back Linne Kjaer takes it upon herself to shut down Jotansson - to great avail. Five crosses all go nowhere, and Palina Leopold’s desperate and frustrated attempt at the end of the first half just sails wide over the bar. The Stadion Dynamo is not inspired or thrilled by the game presented, but mildly optimistic about their side holding off an angry Admiral for so long. Finally, two switches in the second half prove decisive. Reksi Halanen comes in for Persson, using his speed to dart into the holes left by Skov. He finds space for a cross, and Aleksander Teranen, who came off the bench for Ulkanen, can head it past Filipovic - 1-0 for the hosts, who will hold the lead and defeat Admiral.
More goals fall in Thorsborg, where CASK score three yet again and show why their fans considered Wen Xiaohui such a steal at 1.3 million. The Yuezhou playmaker pulls strings expertly, first sending Sauthier on a deep run that the neo-Cormorant uses for a cross onto the head of Valter Birja, and then chipping the ball over the head of AFK’s Perkkanen onto the foot of Smolov, who converts coolly. Then, Pickton also gets one in as he curls home a free kick to the final 3-0 result. Landsmarks Industrie leave a mark on their debut season as they can bash two past Lenberg in the first thirty minutes, first Klinger converting on a corner by Borkerud and then Namenkov scoring from range. Florian Franz gets one back by free kick, but Vaitanen gets off a close-range shot after a pass by Tedenby that beats Lenberg clean. Finally, another new arrival leaves his first mark as Bogdan Rawic makes amends for his season opener, scoring his first SFS goal in front of the home audience with a smashing header from close range.
Matchday 3
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 4–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Traktor St. Andrei 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Rotor Värstjö 1–2 Transport Hovikkära
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–1 ASK Landsmark
Admiral Storevik 4–1 Landsmarks Industrie
AFK Savojagrad 3–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 2–1 CASK Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad vs Dynamo Sjoedrhavn is the sort of mid-table clash that fans of the teams dutifully attend with realistic hopes of victory, but the rest of the country ignores - until they net a spectacular 3-3, that is. Andrey Ishkurin opens the score out of nowhere as eight minutes in, a harmless tackle by Leclair 29 metres from the goal results in a free kick - and a goal, as Ishkurin stuns everyone. Then Dynamo strike back within minutes as Vitale gets floored by Lyn Townsend - another free kick, this time on the sides. Liparainen curls it in, Hoyberg goes high, the ball is in. Valtteri Lehto goes on a run, gets a pin-point diagonal pass by Shipulin and cuts inside to score with grace - but he’s offside, no goal given. The game calms down, finally, after twenty minutes, but it never gets boring: Zyukov misses by centimetres from range; on the other side, Ulkanen is denied by Nordmark. Before the break, Hensberg gets in a pass to Bains, Danube repels it, and Lehto scores; this time it counts, 2-1 at half time. The second half is calm, almost boring - until Persson chips it to Khedira, the Quebecois dances, and is brought down by Saparinen. Penalty and a second yellow for the defender, and Hoyberg scores from the spot - 2-2. Dynamo, now with a man advantage, press; Vitale crosses, joker Teranen heads it in and Nordmark deflects - but it’s a corner, and in the mess, the ball lands on Leclair’s foot and from there in the goal. AFK, now with ten men, fight like wounded lions. Townsend gets an overlap, gets a cross, Vikborg can’t clear it, and there is Eddie Bains lurking! 3-3 is the final result in a memorable match.
Six goals also fall in Thorsborg as Energie pound FK Sjoedrhavn relentlessly, Sienkiewicz and Admassu scoring before the break and Vindjammer sealing it with the 3-0 in injury time of the first half. There is a brief shimmer of hope as veteran striker Hrolfr Bjarnason scores from close range, but there is no such thing as catching a break from Energie: Lea Mörk crosses in, Lindgren gets his head on it, and Mörk can collect an assist in her SFS A debut. Defending champions Libertas get a reality check from an unleashed Partisan, as Alyssa Broad justifies the 5.5 million spent on what some called “damaged goods from the Premiership” and completely frustrates Lajunen to the point where the striker lets himself be provoked and elbows her in the head at a corner. Lajunen claims accident, but the VAR quickly sees through it: straight red for the Bergheimer, and thankfully no injury for Broad. Parti’s counters are fearsome, and Aarsoy picks up two assists, with each striker getting a goal. Poulsen gets the final nod as he converts a free kick for the final result of 3-0 to Parti. Finally, Admiral do catch their first win, and it has to be bittersweet for Sabine Montag, who was rested while Patrik Brygg netted two assists. There is absolutely nothing sweet about it for Landsmarks Industrie, who also lose Sundberg to a muscle injury, leaving 19 year old Bjarnfinn Arnason as the likely starting leftback for the near future.
Matchday 4
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–1 ESK Storevik
Landsmarks Industrie 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
ASK Landsmark 0–2 Admiral Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Transport Hovikkära 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Rotor Värstjö
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Traktor St. Andrei
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Energie Thorsborg
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–4 Libertas Bergheim
FK Torpedo Pawlograd have finally managed to retain a manager for more than one season, and it seems like it’s paying off as Lew Nyborg’s side keeps a perfect record, the only team in the league to do so after three days. They welcome champions Libertas, who bring their A game - and promptly are rewarded with a swift counter after Hartikainen gets stopped by Nurkanen. A long diagonal ball to Bathanay, who drops it back to Arkanin, the playmaker dupes Selvala Tabur, and scores himself with a beautiful shot to the top left. Right before the break, captain Antti Roope shoots from the left wing, but sends the ball into the outside of the net. After the break, Libertas make a somewhat surprising switch, bringing on Sandoval for Nurkanen - and it pays off big. Hartikainen isn’t a threat Najmina can’t deal with, and as a result, Sandoval gets to run circles; both Bathanay and Lajunens replacement Eller get a cross that they can use for a goal. Torpedo falter, trying to get a goal but there is no more heart in it, and the reaction to Asthorsdottir’s attempt hitting the post is more a sigh than a missed opportunity. Ylsdottir finishes it off after a corner, Libertas winning 4-0 away at Torpedo, and leaving only Dynamo Sjoedrhavn unbeaten (although with two draws).
As for the rest, things are slow and cagey in many different stadia. For some, it’s expected - Transport vs Metall was never going to be a great game, given the scrappiness and defensive outlook of both sides, and the lone goal being a free kick that gets headed in from short range by Serge Tempest is fitting. For others, it’s more of a surprise - aggressive and offensive CASK not getting a ball past Dynamo Novaya Russica? It’s a consequence of Sauthier and Smolov getting rested, and Wen only playing the last twenty minutes; the sheer discipline of the defence helps too, and Jovanova shows multiple great saves. Norby even almost scores for the upset, but it’s not that easy to beat Thomas Larsen, and she gets denied. Lok struggle long against Värstjö despite the south Vestrholm side struggling to mount any offensive challenges, but Bogdan Rawic proves his worth with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box. Finally, Partisan do the job: Rahn scores from short range after eighteen minutes, and then Broad and Virulainen run a tight ship in defence to control the game; the Sjoedrhaveners emerge as clear early leaders.
Matchday 5
Libertas Bergheim 0–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Energie Thorsborg 4–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Traktor St. Andrei 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Rotor Värstjö 0–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–3 Transport Hovikkära
Admiral Storevik 1–1 RLSK Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 ASK Landsmark
ESK Storevik 3–0 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 2–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
With Metsuri relegated again, Sumanen is back to two teams, and that makes Savojars Vinge vs. Transport Hovikkära an important prestige duel, even if it doesn’t have the same vitriol behind it as the Army Derby or Metall vs Lok. It also rarely produces good football - too defensive are Transport - but today is a rare exception where the Hovikkära side has come to play. It helps that SVV open with horrible defensive oversights; Sootala “clearing” a ball right into the feet of Ragnhild Viilanen and looking on dumbfounded as the winger scores the opening goal is a particular kind of weird. Benjamin Tin even heightens the score to 2-0 on a counter, splitting Carlin and Sootala neatly and beating Lenberg in the near corner. SVV need to react in the second half, and they replace their unlucky captain Ylvi Sootala, bringing in Toivanen instead. It is this Toivanen that heads in a corner, a bit lucky - Uutala deflects the ball to make it unstoppable - to make it 2-1, and Savojars Vinge strike again shortly after as Siilonen is brought down 19 metres from the net. Franz takes his time, aims, sets the ball - and scores. Suddenly, the stadium is buzzing with energy, half an hour left on the clock, and SVV play energised. Thorbjörn Vukkila dances past Warner, but his shot is deflected by Chauncey; the corner is used as Justus Rintanen goes higher than Ahtisaari and scores. But Transport refuse to die, and an unlucky handball in the box by Ivan Onagin results in a penalty that captain Valerija Pitarova uses for the last goal. 3-3 in the Sumani Derby is the final result.
Talking of the Jarnstad Derby, Metall host Lokomotive, and they play it the Metall way. Penelope Garner doesn’t let Rawic see any balls, and Kanarin is launching counters left and right; up front, however, Ekman struggles valiantly but without success. An hour into the game, it looks like a scrappy but ultimately drab 0-0, but then, Things Happen. A long ball by Frida Björgen gets cleared, sort of; Kanarin brings the ball back into the box and Ullqvist blocks it, the rebound lands on the foot of Ekman, and the striker - looking almost surprised - pushes it over the line. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn have earned the title of team to go longest without defeat, but they can’t keep it going too long - the visit to CASK proves to be too big a task. Khedira, finally easing into his new role as central striker, gets a goal as he beats Thomas Larsen in a 1v1 after a brilliant pass by Ulkanen; however, there are only minutes until Wen Xiaohui finds Kjetil Flyborg in the box for the equaliser. The game is deadlocked, but you can count on Janna Sauthier to find the solution for this as the Nephar launches into a brilliant solo, crossing onto the second post and letting Pickton score the winner at the far post.
Matchday 6
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 3–0 CASK Thorsborg
ASK Landsmark 0–1 ESK Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
Transport Hovikkära 1–1 Admiral Storevik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Rotor Värstjö
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–2 Traktor St. Andrei
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Energie Thorsborg
ESK Storevik have surprised last season, and they’re doing just fine again this year, travelling to Landsmark lodged firmly in the upper part of the table. Eddie Guweddeko does just fine in alleviating the pressure on the shoulders of an old Freya Sigurdsdottir, and the Quebecois is coming to Landsmark to shine - but he struggles with luck. Captain and former Northlight Omark shoulders him off a great chance in the early phases, but despite all the pleading, referee Anders Janssen refuses a penalty. A video review is called, but even on the big screen, Janssen argues that the impetus of Omark’s movement goes to the ball and the collision is a side effect of a regular play, and the video referee defers to him. Now clearly playing with anger in his heart, Guweddeko fires off two more heavy shots, but sees one saved by Jacobsson and one bouncing off the crossbar. On the other end, Ryberg gets off a brilliant header, but Hrolfrsson gets an arm into it. That’s it as far as chances are concerned, with ASK’s low block of four holding up strongly. In the second half, both sides swap strikers, ESK bringing on Sigurdsdottir for Sigfridsson, Landsmark swapping in 18 year old Solveig Vedmark for Ryberg. The latter attempts a dribble past Parvin, but is denied; in the counter, Storevik get a corner. The ball comes in to Sigurdsdottir, who doesn’t shoot but prolongs it to the second post; ten minutes before the end Eddie Guweddeko finally gets rewarded for his effort as he pushes the ball over the line. ESK assume fourth place, waiting for the rest of the pack to play.
CASK travel to Landsmark to play Industrie, and they take it lightly; Wen, Prosdocimi, and Sauthier all get rested as younger players start, and veteran Mikael Nielsen starts in central defence. Unfortunately for them, Industrie don’t rest. 19 year old Bjarnfinn Arnason is no doubt happy that he doesn’t have to face Sauthier, and he proceeds to pressure poor Pjotr Iljurov into the ground, launching a beautiful counter via Borkerud and Tedenby that Karolina Vaitanen uses to go ahead. An hour into the game, Klinger gets held down at a corner and Industrie get a penalty; Namenkov sets the score to 2-0. CASK push angrily, but Anders Johansson uses all the experience from his years at Partisan to shut them down, denying Smolov from point blank range as well as scraping out a brilliant free kick by Gren; in the end, it’s a 3-0 as Klinger gets a goal as well. Their old rivals Admiral are also in crisis, only drawing an uninspired Transport Hovikkära as even the usually creative Montag and Leopold can’t find a gap; the biggest issue, however, is just how out of touch with the game Arvid Jotansson seems. The striker doesn’t receive passes, doesn’t work for the team, and is absolutely frustrated once he gets replaced in the second half, sarcastically applauded by the RLSK home fans.
Matchday 7
Energie Thorsborg 3–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Traktor St. Andrei 0–4 Libertas Bergheim
Rotor Värstjö 2–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Transport Hovikkära
ESK Storevik 0–0 RLSK Pawlograd
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Only very few games are capable of grinding the football scene of Savojarna to a halt and drawing everyone’s attention to one game. The cup final is one of them, obviously, but that is due to the occasion; the Sjoedrhavn Derby and the Army/Navy Duel could in the times where they are also important for the standings; perhaps the only one that will always have that result is the Army Derby. CASK are hosting ASK this time around, and it’s getting ugly. Wen Xiaohui is getting a “welcome” to the occasion courtesy of Eve Lovelace, the Brenecian cutting down the Yuezhou midfielder with a rough, but fair sliding tackle within ten minutes. Smolov isn’t faring better, with Omark knocking down the rather small striker in the box, but the ref sees no foul. CASK show they can hold their own, though: Garrett Norwood probably will feel the impact of Pohjanainen’s tackle in the 23rd minute for a while, and this time it’s the first yellow of the game. Norwood hobbles away and avenges himself five minutes later with a well-pointed elbow in the air, leading to a yellow as well. The game remains hard-fought with few good chances: Norwood gets denied from twelve metres, on the other side Birja heads a corner just over the bar. Late into the second half, the card count now up to seven (but surprisingly enough, they are all yellow) Sauthier breaks down, and she manages to dodge Hoegh’s angry tackle to run all the way to the touchline and cross in flat, where Flyborg knocks the ball across the line for the lone goal and a CASK home victory.
Libertas Bergheim face less opposition as they travel to St. Andrei and perfectly utilise the space offered by the Traktor side. The offensive 4-3-3 ran by Damian Trolli is restricted by the press of Sandoval and Geddes, and the counters are swift. The man of the match is clearly Denis Arkanin, distributing balls left and right: Assist for Bathanay’s close-range 1-0, goal via free kick to the 2-0, assist for Bathanay’s second strike after an hour. Only the last goal falls without his help, as Sandoval’s cross is headed home by Lajunen. The 4-0 is even getting improved on by Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, who put five past Anders Johansson and Landsmarks Industrie. Industrie struggle a lot on the sides, where Vitale and Halanen are too strong for the young and inexperienced Landsmark fullbacks; in the centre, Khedira and Ulkanen have an easy game. Two for Ulkanen, one for the Quebecois, one for joker Teranen and the first goal of the season for Reksi Halanen are the final tally.
Matchday 8
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Landsmarks Industrie
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
Transport Hovikkära 1–2 ESK Storevik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–3 Admiral Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 4–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 Rotor Värstjö
ASK Landsmark 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 1–3 Traktor St. Andrei
Leaders Partisan Sjoedrhavn host Savojars Vinge, and the Sjoedrhaveners rotate: Taito Viinanen comes on for Rahn, Antonov replaces Thorvaldsson, and even captain Steinar Aarsoy rests as Alexandersson puts his trust into Juota. And the left winger repays the trust with a precise cross onto the foot of the lurking Sven Ehlers on the far post, the young striker beating Lenberg in the near corner to set Partisan ahead. There are no experiments in the back, and Alyssa Broad is in the centre of attention in the following minutes, clearing narrowly twice against Rintanen first and then against Lehtonen as the two find a gap. Cronin almost gets a second goal before the break, but her shot from range goes a bit high. Right after the break, however, Cronin has more luck, her long ball landing perfectly in the path of Rasmus Grönkjaer, who cuts to the inside and passes to Viinanen to score from short range. Only five minutes later it gets even worse as Ehlers gets cut down by Olgunov - yellow and penalty are the obvious consequences, and Morten Poulsen converts without much issue. The playmaker almost doubles up late in the game, but his shot is cleared for a corner and he is replaced by the more defensively oriented, more stable Henning Roesk. The corner finds the head of the tall defender Jespersen, who hits it perfectly - 4-0 is the final result, with four different scorers.
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn travel to Landsmark to face a tough ASK, and they fall behind early thanks to Garrett Norwood converting a through ball by Gavax-Nenzi Abe that no defender had been able to reach. The hosts then dig themselves in, but make it through thanks to their success in duels; only in the final minutes can a solo effort by Vitale and a subsequent through ball to Khedira break the defence. The draw still isn’t an ideal result, and as a consequence, Partisan pull ahead by five points. Elsewhere, Libertas get cocky after Lajanen heads in a cross by Geddes; Lipa Kuznetsov punishes with the 1-1. They get punished as the other top teams struggle but succeed: CASK dominate RLSK Pawlograd over long stretches but only score late as a free kick by Gren bounces off a defender and Flyborg strikes. Lokomotive score in the first few minutes as Rawic finds a gap; they then proceed to do the absolute minimum to keep out Savojagrad and are lucky not to concede in the final minutes. Only Knasmuller’s great dive saves them from falling behind as Eddie Bains shoots his shot.
Matchday 9
Traktor St. Andrei 2–3 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Rotor Värstjö 1–3 Energie Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 1–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 2–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
CASK Thorsborg 0–0 Transport Hovikkära
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Landsmarks Industrie 2–1 ASK Landsmark
Rotor Värstjö have been the surprise team following their promotion, carried by Rika Lundell; they have managed to repeat their success after the playmaker’s move to Nephara with some clever transfers. Now, however, it’s all been going wrong, and the home game against Energie isn’t helping. With Hangren suspended and 19 year old Eastfield Lodger Charlotte Pala playing her first SFS game in the starting 11, and with Sveinn Arnason replacing the injured Jansrud, Rotor face an uphill battle, but it looks good early on as Kuznetsov finds Karamasov for an early lead. Then, however, it goes all wrong. A bad pass by Arnason allows Ljungberg to launch a fast counter over Damjan Emin; Pala is a step too far from Lindgren, and the clever veteran taps it in. Then, Admassu takes a ball away from Zhirkov and one-twos her way through with Sienkiewicz to score the second goal within six minutes; and even before the break, Energie put down the third goal as Lindgren gets a header off a cross by Vindjammer that Herman has no chance of stopping after a daring overlap. The reaction in the second half is lacklustre, Gennadi Simunov clearly being out of options, and Rotor fall into 18th, fearing for their SFS A lives.
CASK disappoint again with yet another unnecessary draw, dominating Transport with over 60% possession and a shot tally of 22-6, but no goals. Wen hits the bar, Smolov misses alone in front of the goal, and Pickton gets denied from close range; in the end, RLSK thank goalkeeper Jushchenko for an away point. Lok also draw thanks to Sigurdsdottir coming on the field late for a header that secures her side a point in injury time, after Grivoshenko and Rawic have set the Jarnstaders ahead. The most interesting game, however, is Partisan against Admiral, an early duel of two teams aiming for the championship. Admiral come out swinging, but miss; Jotansson heads it over the bar and Virulainen shows a beautiful save against Montag’s free kick. Partisan, on the other hand, don’t dawdle; the second shot of the guests is already in as Rahn finds a gap on the left side and scores to the farside corner. After the break, the old Partisan Fifteen meme strikes again as Jzeovak Vladcik leaves Grönkjaer in the dust and finds Jotansson; Virulainen denies him, but Leopold is there to pounce. Then, shortly after, Broad collides with Montag, almost giving up a penalty - but it’s just a free kick, and a yellow on top for Evaldsson, who complained too much - it’s his second, and therefore a red. Poulsen finds the gaps left by his departure, passes it to Ehlers, and the young striker scores the final goal, Parti winning 2-1 in Storevik.
Matchday 10
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 ASK Landsmark
RLSK Pawlograd 1–2 Landsmarks Industrie
Transport Hovikkära 1–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 3–1 CASK Thorsborg
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–0 ESK Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Admiral Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 2–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Energie Thorsborg 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Traktor St. Andrei 5–0 Rotor Värstjö
Landsmarks Industrie’s relegation had been a dramatic affair that was only determined on the final day of Season 8, but now they are back in the top flight with a remodelled side. Coach Mika Aleksen has stayed with the team through their B stint, as have former Partisan keeper Anders Johansson and one-club-man Gabriel Klinger up front; in the midfield, Lovisa Tedenby has finally made the step up from the youth teams in the lower-stakes SFS B. Add in some new talent in the speedy Karolina Vaitanen and the young fullback duo of Arnason and Grokov, and there is a promising side - and one that is suddenly overachieving. Travelling to RLSK Pawlograd is never easy, but their defensive low block allows the wingers of Landsmarks Industrie to shine with their high press, creating a lot of space for the defence. Elisabeta Grokov plays formidably, launching many attacks; twenty minutes in, her diagonal ball finds Tedenby, who plays a through pass for Vaitanen and nets an assist as the striker cleanly tunnels keeper Jushchenko for the 0-1. RLSK refuse to go down easy, but play a lot of failed passes due to the extremely high press from Industrie, restricting space and letting their opponents make mistakes; the team switches fast and both Vaitanen and Klinger miss an opportunity in the 1v1 before the break. RLSK do get one back by virtue of Georgi Samarev scoring from ten metres, but in the late stages of the game, a visibly gassed Taranyi is too late against the speedy Vaitanen, giving away a penalty that Industrie use. A 2-1 away over RLSK nets them 8th place in the standings.
The Navy Derby is drawing a lot of media attention, Admiral travelling to Pawlograd to meet their sister team of Torpedo. Extra attention is bestowed onto Dmitri Dmitriev, playing against his former rivals; he manages the pressure expertly and shadows Jorinen, but that is not enough. There needs to be offence, and there isn’t enough as Jotansson still can’t find his form and Montag is taken out by the clever Johan Däll. The only hope is that Torpedo also struggle, but eventually, the absence of the suspended Evaldsson is an issue, and Zhirkov finds the space he needs to feed Hartikainen on the wing for the sole goal of the game. Lok against CASK promises more entertainment, and it delivers early on. Wen hits the post, Smolov forces a brilliant save out of Knasmuller, and Rawic heads a ball over the bar in just the first fifteen minutes. Then, Grivoshenko cuts inside and shoots - and scores to the near side, Larsen looking on in shock. The 1-0 holds until half time, when Ljurbyn almost doubles up per free kick but sees Larsen save it - only for the CASK keeper to launch a counter, Pickton carrying it down the side, passing it into the middle sharply and Birja to score into an open net. Lok turn around ten minutes later with a long ball by Klaebo to Ericsson, passing inside, and Rawic bringing Lok ahead again; joker Ruriksson adds another one on a late counter. Up top, Partisan maintain their cool in a hard game against AFK, with Poulsen scoring in the last five minutes to carry them through the first quarter of the season on top.
