Published 2024-11-10 22.07
share-arrowDela
unsaveSpara
VÄRNAMO. Elfsborg saved IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.
But coach Oscar Hiljemark was not satisfied with the performance.
– I just told my players that they are all under evaluation. They have been since I arrived and they still are, he says.
0-0 at Finvedsvallen sent IFK Värnamo to the qualifiers, IFK Gothenburg on holiday. And IF Elfsborg for an exciting winter?
Oscar Hiljemark was once again very dissatisfied with his team’s performance.
– It is of course disappointing that we are not performing at the level we would like. We lack drive and leadership in our game, which of course reflects the performance, he says.
There is information that Elfsborg would like to see Värnamo’s midfielder Wenderson in the club for next season. Hiljemark does not deny the information, and it sounds like no player in today’s squad should feel sure of a place in it after the New Year.
– I just told my players that they are under evaluation. They all have been since I got here and they still are. The squad that will be built for next year must of course reflect the football and the mentality that I would like to have. There are a lot of pieces that need to fall into place there.
expand-left
full screen Photo: Krister Andersson / Bildbyrån
However, he also does not want to confirm that Wenderson is a target.
– I want to see a lot of quality footballers in IF Elfsborg next year. Some we already have in-house, others we are looking at.
Hiljemark was born in nearby Gislaved and is one of a number in Elfsborg with some connection to Värnamo. However, there was never any thought of helping them avoid qualification.
– I’m not that sentimental. It’s a club that I’ve been close to, and I’m from the area. But we played the match with the utmost respect and did our utmost to win, because it also affects our situation with the cup draw and so on.
Arber Zeneli was one of the six players who went from this week’s starting XI against Braga to the bench. He was replaced in the second and then gained more speed in Elfsborg’s attacking game. And he was satisfied that Elfsborg’s points meant that IFK Göteborg remained in the Allsvenskan.
– They have put themselves in this situation, but yeah – it’s fun that the big teams are still around. I think that all the citizens of Borås and Gothenburg enjoy the matches between us. There will be an interest and a good in it. But we were here for our own sake and not for anyone else’s.
expand-left
full screen Photo: Krister Andersson / Bildbyrån
Elfsborg: The Unexpected Heroes of IFK Göteborg
Published 2024-11-10 22.07
VÄRNAMO. In a twist that left fans gasping, Elfsborg played the role of savior for IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.
But before anyone could light the fireworks, coach Oscar Hiljemark was singing a different tune, and it wasn’t exactly a chart-topper!
The Struggle for Performance
“I just told my players that they are all under evaluation,” declared Hiljemark, who sounds like he’s auditioning for a reality show rather than coaching a football team!
Welcome to ‘Survivor: Football Edition.’ It seems that for him, every match is a test and every player is a potential contestant to be voted off the pitch!
After a thrilling 0-0 match at Finvedsvallen, IFK Värnamo is now facing qualifiers, while IFK Göteborg is packing for a holiday. Not your typical holiday brochure material, is it?
“Come to Göteborg! Where your team may or may not still be in the league!”
Drive and Leadership? Still Missing in Action
Hiljemark continued to voice his frustrations: “It is of course disappointing that we are not performing at the level we would like.”
Well, Oscar, my friend, if the team were a plant, it would definitely be a cactus—lots of prickly moments with zero growth in sight!
Lack of drive? Sounds like the team could use a few cups of espresso!
A Transfer Rumour Brewing
Rumours are swirling faster than a football in a penalty shoot-out: Elfsborg is sniffing around for Värnamo’s midfielder Wenderson.
Hiljemark, in typical coach fashion, was noncommittal.
“I want to see a lot of quality footballers in IF Elfsborg next year,” he said. Yes, Oscar, and I want to see unicorns floating above the stadium—let’s manage our expectations, shall we?
Sentimentality? Not on the Menu
Despite his roots in nearby Gislaved, Hiljemark assured us: “I’m not that sentimental.”
So much for being a fan of the local blokes—dropped faster than a hot potato on a cold day! He added, “We played the match with the utmost respect…”
Translation: “Don’t expect me to throw the game just because I know the neighbors!”
The Players’ Duel
Meanwhile, Arber Zeneli was one of the six players relegated to the bench.
I can picture him practicing his “I’m not bitter” face while cheering for his teammates. “I think it’s fun that the big teams are still around!” he said,
which is football code for, “I’m just glad my team isn’t the one heading home!”
What a plot twist: Elfsborg wasn’t there just to save their competitors but to amp up the drama for their own sake!
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! Elfsborg played hard and prompted a wild season finale for IFK Göteborg, all while their coach keeps his players on the edge of their seats.
Will there be more surprises? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: If Hiljemark can inject some drive into his squad, we might just see him and his team making headlines for all the right reasons next season.
Published 2024-11-10 22.07
share-arrowDela
unsaveSpara
VÄRNAMO. Elfsborg played a pivotal role in determining the fate of IFK Göteborg in the Allsvenskan.
Despite this crucial result, coach Oscar Hiljemark expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance.
– I just told my players that they are all under evaluation. They have been since I arrived and they still are, he says.
The tense draw, which ended at 0-0 at Finvedsvallen, saw IFK Värnamo plunged into the qualifiers, while IFK Gothenburg faces an early holiday. Meanwhile, Elfsborg’s prospects for an exciting winter remain uncertain.
Oscar Hiljemark reiterated his discontent with the quality of his team’s play.
– It is of course disappointing that we are not performing at the level we would like. We lack drive and leadership in our game, which of course reflects the performance, he says.
There are reports suggesting that Elfsborg is keen on signing Värnamo’s midfielder Wenderson for the upcoming season. Hiljemark, while not outright confirming the rumors, indicated that every player currently in the squad should brace for competition in the new year.
– I just told my players that they are under evaluation. They all have been since I got here and they still are. The squad that will be built for next year must of course reflect the football and the mentality that I would like to have. There are a lot of pieces that need to fall into place there.
However, he also does not want to confirm that Wenderson is a target.
– I want to see a lot of quality footballers in IF Elfsborg next year. Some we already have in-house, others we are looking at.
Hiljemark was born in nearby Gislaved and has ties to the Värnamo club, yet he emphasized his professional responsibility over sentimentality.
– I’m not that sentimental. It’s a club that I’ve been close to, and I’m from the area. But we played the match with the utmost respect and did our utmost to win, because it also affects our situation with the cup draw and so on.
Arber Zeneli notably transitioned from the bench to the field, contributing significantly to Elfsborg’s attacking dynamics during the match.
– They have put themselves in this situation, but yeah – it’s fun that the big teams are still around. I think that all the citizens of Borås and Gothenburg enjoy the matches between us. There will be an interest and a good in it. But we were here for our own sake and not for anyone else’s.
To secure the services of IFK Värnamo’s midfielder Wenderson, a player that could bolster their squad. Hiljemark, while noncommittal about specific transfers, highlighted the need for quality additions to the team next season.
The coach’s sentiments were reflected in his approach to the match, emphasizing respect for direct competitors rather than nostalgia for past connections, which might please the local fanbase but not bring any guarantees. “I’m not that sentimental,” he asserted, indicating a focus on results over local ties.
As the season comes to a close, the spotlight is now on Elfsborg and their coach to regroup and rethink their strategy. The desire for improvement is palpable, but whether it’ll translate into on-field success remains to be seen.
In the midst of a difficult season, Elfsborg stands at a crossroads. Will they emerge stronger, or are the winds of change blowing in a different direction? Fans will need to hang tight as the winter transfer window arrives, bringing with it the promise of potential reinforcements and hope for a more competitive season ahead.
