Västra Frölunda

Ground: Ruddalen

Visits: 1

Date: 26th September 2009

Match: Västra Frölunda - Öster 2-3 (Division 1 Södra)

Attendance: 202

Västra Frölunda nowdays play in Division 1 but as late as 2000 the club played in Allsvenskan. They have played a total of ten seasons in Sweden´s top division and considering the size of the club that is an admirable achievement. Västra Frölunda is a southern suburb in Gothenburg and the local football club have always had a great youth department. Unfortunately the club lives in the shadow of the big Gothenburg clubs and this is of course the main reason they have dropped down a couple of divisions. Even if they can´t compete with other clubs moneywise they certainly can do it when it comes to their ground. Ruddalen is one of the nicest grounds in Sweden and I would recommend a visit for any groundhopper coming to Sweden. As you can see in the pictures below there are no running tracks making this a genuine football ground. Ruddalen is actually more than a football ground, in 2003 the World Speed skating championships were held at the nearby Ruddalen skating arena. There are also a Bandy arena as well as several other football pitches in the area making this a true sporting complex.

Before today´s match Öster were 4th in the table, only 3 points behind leaders Sleipner though. Västra Fröunda on the other hand were 4th from bottom, only two points from a relegation spot. In other words, plenty of important points up for grabs today! The home team started best and after some shaky defending from Öster Västra Frölunda were suddenly 2-0 in front. Öster pulled a goal back late in the first half and were level 10 minutes after the break. Västra Frölunda then had some great chances to win the game but Öster scored a late winner, sending the 100 or so visiting fans into ecstasy. Frölunda are now only a point from relegation but with such a nice ground I really hope they can stay up.

ruddalen