Älmeboda/Linneryd (Linneryds IP)Ground: Linneryds Idrottsplats Visits: 1 Date: 3rd June 2019 Match: Älmeboda/Linneryd - Karlskrona 1-2 (Division 2 Östra Götaland) Attendance: 200 Älmeboda/Linneryd was founded in 1994 as a merger between Linneryds IF and Älmeboda IF. In recent years they have played mostly in Division 3 but at the end of last season Älmeboda/Linneryd were promoted to Division 2. The club has two home grounds, Kullbergsplan in Rävemåla and Linneryds IP. In April I was at Kullbergsplan and as I went through my options to visit Linneryds IP I decided the Monday evening fixture against the top team, FK Karlskrona, was to be when I re-completed Division 2 Östra Götaland. The weather in southern Sweden was very nice and temperatures reached almost 30 degrees today. The weather forecast suggested rain and heavy thunderstorms later in the evening though. There is of course no way to know exactly where the lightening would strike and as I left home I was hoping for some luck. To be on the safe side I brought my umbrella and rain coat. As I arrived at Linneryds IP the conditions were fantastic and as I took a few pre-game photos the ground looked really nice . Conditions changed quickly though and as the match started the rain had arrived and I could see and hear lightening. The only covered part of Linneryds IP was in the clubhouse and many of 200 present hurried to be protected from the heavy rain. The wind was so strong at times I had problems to hold on to my umbrella and after a while I went to the clubhouse porch as well. After 20-25 minutes the rain had gone away and I could return to a more pitch side position. As I checked in in the Groundhopper app I noticed someone from Germany was present as well. That was Michael W from Hannover and I managed to locate him. He was in Sweden for 7-8 matches and Linneryds IP was actually his 88th ground in Sweden, respect! We chatted for most of the match and could also enjoy a decent Division 2-match. Älmeboda/Linneryd are bottom of the table and with Karlskrona being top you would expect an easy victory for the visitors. That was not to be the case and with only a few minutes remaining, at 1-1, Älmeboda/Linneryd hit the underside of the bar. A minute later Karlskrona scored to win 2-1. Tough for Älmeboda/Linneryd but they show a lot of spirit today and have every chance avoiding the drop. With my visit to Linneryds IP I now have 2 of the 6 Division 2-leagues in Sweden complete. Coming weekend I will travel around 1,500 km to the north and go to matches in Luleå and Boden. Welcome to Linneryds IP View of Linneryds IP View of Linneryds IP Entrance North side North side Dug-out West End South side South Stand South Stand East End East End Hot dogs on offer Players and officials entering Kick-off ![]() Rain! ![]() Rain! ![]() Cover View of play (during the rain) ![]() Rain is easing North side North side North side South Stand during the rain South Stand Pano Pano |