With three minutes left to play of regular time, Värnamo veteran Simon Thern – in MFF 2012–2014 – was held back by Malmö's 18-year-old substitute Zakaria Loukili on a corner. Referee Adi Aganovic did not hesitate and blew for a penalty.
It's crystal clear. It's a guy who hasn't been around for so long against a guy who has been around a bit longer, says 32-year-old Thern.
If you mark on the right side, you can pull quite a lot and grab someone pretty hard. If you come on the wrong side and don't let go, it's a penalty. You can't defend by hanging behind someone when the referee is four meters away, continues the Värnamo player.
The penalty was calmly converted by Ajdin Zeljkovic into the goal behind Malmö goalkeeper Ricardo Friedrich, resulting in a final score of 1–1.
Värnamo now has a two-point gap to Halmstad for the qualifying spot and a three-point gap to second-to-last Kalmar. The distance to bottom-placed Västerås is six points with four matches left to play.
We've made fine performances at the end, taking points against both Djurgården and Malmö. I have great faith that we'll get through this, says Simon Thern.
"Can't be compared"
However, there is no pressing situation for the players in Värnamo, according to the midfielder.
In IFK Värnamo, there is no pressure. It's not like playing for Malmö FF, IFK Göteborg, or IFK Norrköping, says Thern, who has played for all the clubs he mentions.
There are no external circumstances. It's like playing junior football when you play for IFK Värnamo. There's no one who will wish you out of your life if you miss a pass. It can't be compared, he continues.
- IFK Göteborg, 30 points (–7 in goal difference)
Remaining matches: AIK (h), Malmö FF (a), Kalmar (h), Mjällby (a).
- IFK Norrköping 27 points (–21)
Remaining matches: Brommapojkarna (h), Värnamo (a), AIK (h), Djurgården (a).
- Värnamo, 26 points (–10)
Remaining matches: Gais (a), Norrköping (h), Brommapojkarna (a), Elfsborg (h).
- Halmstad, 24 points (–18).
Remaining matches: Sirius (h), Häcken (a), Djurgården (h), AIK (a).
- Kalmar, 23 points (–19)
Remaining matches: Mjällby (h), Brommapojkarna (a), IFK Göteborg (a), Häcken (h).
- Västerås, 19 points (–16)
Remaining matches: Malmö FF (h), Djurgården (a), Elfsborg (a), Hammarby (h).
Teams in 15th and 16th place are relegated to Superettan. The team in 14th place will qualify against the third-place team in Superettan over two legs.
