Malmö FF was on its way to practically securing the championship with four matches left to play.
The reigning champions led 1-0 at home against bottom team Värnamo after a goal by Hugo Bolin and were in that position 12 points ahead of second-place Hammarby and third-place Djurgården, both on 47 points.
Then Ajdin Zeljkovic equalized for Värnamo on a penalty in the 89th minute to a final score of 1-1. A penalty that the away team was awarded after substitute Zakaria Loukili held back Simon Thern on a corner.
"Always sour"
It's always sour when you have the lead so late, it feels like we lost the match, says Hugo Bolin.
A clear penalty, says Malmö coach Henrik Rydström.
Rydström was most upset about how MFF defended themselves in the attack that led to the corner.
In the 87th minute, we had to eat the ball and spit it out somewhere where the opponent couldn't get it.
Malmö beat Karabach (2-1) in the Europa League away in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday. Above all, the trip may have affected the performance against Värnamo, Rydström believes.
We came home Friday evening from Baku. It's hard to measure how tired the players are, he says.
Hugo Bolin partially agrees with Rydström.
It felt a bit slow, a bit tired in the first half.
MFF still leads the league with ten points – with 12 points left to play for. This means that MFF can secure the championship gold away against Västerås on October 19.
When we still have the chance to win in Västerås, the result isn't that bad, says Hugo Bolin.
"A dream"
The league now takes a national team break and Bolin is called up to the A-team for the first time. He was originally selected for the U21 squad, but was moved up after injuries. After Saturday's training, the 21-year-old had a missed call from national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.
I called back and he said he wanted me. It's big, I got really happy. It's a goal you've had since you were little and a dream, says Hugo Bolin.
The national team gathers on Monday for the Nations League matches against Slovakia and Estonia.
- Malmö FF, 57 points (+40 in goal difference)
Remaining matches: Västerås (away), IFK Göteborg (home), Hammarby (away), Brommapojkarna (home).
- Hammarby, 47 points (+19).
Remaining matches: Djurgården (home), Sirius (away), Malmö FF (home), Västerås (away).
- Djurgården, 47 points (+10).
Remaining matches: Hammarby (away), Västerås (home), Halmstad (away), IFK Norrköping (home).
- AIK, 45 points (0).
Remaining matches: IFK Göteborg (away), Elfsborg (home), IFK Norrköping (away), AIK (home).
The winner wins the championship gold and qualifies for the Champions League next summer. Teams 2-3 qualify for the Conference League.
