But it wasn't just about football in Piteå.
Never before has a potentially decisive gold match in the women's top league been played under such unpleasant circumstances as this chilly Monday evening in Piteå.
Since last spring, one of Rosengård's players has been subjected to serious threats, despite which the Malmö team has managed to rack up win after win.
Both players and leaders have kept quiet and refused to comment on which player has been threatened or what the threats are about. Recently, threats have also been directed at other players and other teams in the league, but the police have not been able to identify the perpetrator.
Increased security
In Piteå, the pitch was surrounded by a security force twice as large as usual. But all the guards and police could establish was that nothing happened. The football eventually got all the attention.
Piteå is a tough team to meet, especially on their home ground. Rosengård had lost three matches in a row without scoring in Piteå, but that streak was now broken.
Piteå initially disrupted the league leaders with their discipline and high pressure, but gradually it was the Malmö team that took over. In the 29th minute, Rosengård was rewarded for their large ball possession and secure passing game.
Goal lead
Then Olivia Schough just managed to get a ball on the goal line, hit it towards the penalty spot where Momoko Tanikawa received it and slammed it into the net with her left foot. It was the Japanese player's 13th goal, and she now shares the lead in the top scorer list with her club colleague Olivia Holdt.
In the second half, it was Piteå that took over the match completely, but the hunt for an equalizer was fruitless.
Rosengård's gold could have been secured already after this win, but since both Häcken and Hammarby won their matches, they will have to wait a little longer. With five matches left, Rosengård leads the women's top league by a full 14 points ahead of Häcken.
The team's 21st win in a row means they have tied Umeå's win record from 2005.
If Rosengård wins at home at Malmö IP on Friday, they will not only break that record.
Then it will be gold.
