Ljungskile vs Hammarby 0-1

It took 45 minutes. Hammarby players were still in pre-season when referee blew the whistle to start the match. Ljungskile had the best opportunities in the first half, not so much from their skill as Hammarby's lack of commitment. Claudio Dadomo was invisible. Erkan Zengin tried, but got nowhere. Petter Andersson and Chanko was all the way down in the Defense to gather balls. Paulinho Guará and Charlie Davies looked like two Bambi's in the offense.

It was obvious that Hammarby coach Tony Gustavsson had a word or two for his players in halftime, because the second half was much better than the first. Offensive midfielder Petter Andersson woke up from his hibernation, and played excellently in the second half. Dividing balls, trying breakthroughs and playing physically. We need to see more like that, Petter! Charlie Davies picked up his performance in the second half, and was able to disturb a Ljungskile defender enough that he managed to head the ball into his own goal. 1-0 to Hammarby, and the more than 1000 Hammarby supporters went totally mad! Great joy.

In truth, the whole second half was dominated by Hammarby, Ljungskile had a couple of opportunities but never managed to break through. In the end, Hammarby should have probably made a second and perhaps a third goal, but a premiere is always a premiere. The most important thing is to win the matches early in the season, and this is exactly what Hammarby did today.

A word or to has to be spoken about the Hammarby supporters on location. More than a thousand supporters had traveled the 450 kilometers to Ljungskile. Before the match we all gathered in a small hotel close to the arena, the only place open that served alcohol in Ljungskile.

Lot's of fun, lot's of people!

Hammarby lineup:

--------------------------Shaaban----------------------
-Johansson--Traoré---Sleyman--Saarenpää-
---------------------------Chanko----------------------
-Zengin-------------Andersson--------Dadomo-
---------------Paulinho----------Davies-------------

Subs:
Söderberg for Davies
Castro-Tello for Zengin
Laitinen for Dadomo

RBA Points:
3 points: Petter Andersson
2 points: Louay Chanko
1 point: Klebeer Saarenpää