I think for all the reasons above I quite like Swedish football the way it is! The key is do Swedish people want a competitive Premier League (Allsvenskan) or are they happy just trudging along? Do Swedish people want to compete for Euros and World Cups? Or are they content in watching global superpowers dictate that market? If they want a slice then everything needs upscaling, but I imagine a lot probably think 'whats the point'. More money equals more problems when the game will always have a ceiling that is lower than the countries that have long history and endless financial backing. The only way for these leagues to succeed in my opinion, is a fairer European model that provides not just the big five leagues a larger slice of cake!
Totally see your point! The debate on up scaling the league’s an interesting one. Being based here in Sweden, fans seem quite accepting on the lack of progress (save for Djurgården last season) Swedish clubs make in European competitions. However, the sentiment around the national team is the polar opposite! The unhappiness with SWEMNT is tangible, and while many of the players are stars in leagues like the EPL they haven’t achieved what they should. Personally think part of the problem is the state of the Allsvenskan, in a ideal world clubs would level up operations/sponsorship, etc a little, retain round talents for a little longer and improve the status of the league for all teams…just enough to push on to say the level of somewhere like the Belgian Jupiter league. However, we’re allergic to too much success here in Sweden, so unlikely!
It’s an interesting topic though and not entirely sure there’s an easy answer!
I didn’t know this about Swedish football. With all of those sponsors, players are coming out looking a car about to race in NASCAR. I do see that in Swedish football they have a similar structure as the Bundlesliga where 51% has to be owned by the teams members which is pretty cool. That gets to your point though that since it is community driven it’s probably harder for teams to get a long term deal with one sponser on a shirt instead of multiple maybe except for Malmo FF. They have a clean look to their kit with only one sponser but that is probably because they get extra money for consistently making it to European tournaments, right?
Yep, Malmö’s success has definitely set them apart from other Swedish teams and the numbers they can generate through sponsorships.
Interestingly, would also Malmö’s proximity to Denmark and mainland Europe also helps, they certainly have a monopoly of young Danish talent looking for playing time, and can take a few risks with transfers!
On the kits, yep, some of the teams kits would put NASCAR to shame! The thing is, Swedish football has its obvious charms, so no one wants it to go full Saudi Pro League, but somewhere in between would be nice! 😂
I think for all the reasons above I quite like Swedish football the way it is! The key is do Swedish people want a competitive Premier League (Allsvenskan) or are they happy just trudging along? Do Swedish people want to compete for Euros and World Cups? Or are they content in watching global superpowers dictate that market? If they want a slice then everything needs upscaling, but I imagine a lot probably think 'whats the point'. More money equals more problems when the game will always have a ceiling that is lower than the countries that have long history and endless financial backing. The only way for these leagues to succeed in my opinion, is a fairer European model that provides not just the big five leagues a larger slice of cake!
Totally see your point! The debate on up scaling the league’s an interesting one. Being based here in Sweden, fans seem quite accepting on the lack of progress (save for Djurgården last season) Swedish clubs make in European competitions. However, the sentiment around the national team is the polar opposite! The unhappiness with SWEMNT is tangible, and while many of the players are stars in leagues like the EPL they haven’t achieved what they should. Personally think part of the problem is the state of the Allsvenskan, in a ideal world clubs would level up operations/sponsorship, etc a little, retain round talents for a little longer and improve the status of the league for all teams…just enough to push on to say the level of somewhere like the Belgian Jupiter league. However, we’re allergic to too much success here in Sweden, so unlikely!
It’s an interesting topic though and not entirely sure there’s an easy answer!
Thanks for sharing, gang! Really accessible information for the rest of us!
And thanks to you for restacking!
Good Read!
Many thanks for taking the time to check it out!
Very interesting.
More stuff like this to come!
New to your stack. Loved this piece.
Thanks, stay tuned for more like this! We’re only just getting started!
I didn’t know this about Swedish football. With all of those sponsors, players are coming out looking a car about to race in NASCAR. I do see that in Swedish football they have a similar structure as the Bundlesliga where 51% has to be owned by the teams members which is pretty cool. That gets to your point though that since it is community driven it’s probably harder for teams to get a long term deal with one sponser on a shirt instead of multiple maybe except for Malmo FF. They have a clean look to their kit with only one sponser but that is probably because they get extra money for consistently making it to European tournaments, right?
Yep, Malmö’s success has definitely set them apart from other Swedish teams and the numbers they can generate through sponsorships.
Interestingly, would also Malmö’s proximity to Denmark and mainland Europe also helps, they certainly have a monopoly of young Danish talent looking for playing time, and can take a few risks with transfers!
On the kits, yep, some of the teams kits would put NASCAR to shame! The thing is, Swedish football has its obvious charms, so no one wants it to go full Saudi Pro League, but somewhere in between would be nice! 😂