GauthiodGround: Lunnevi Idrottsplats Visits: 1 Date: 1st October 2011 Match: Gauthiod - Assyriska BK 1-0 (Division 2 Norra Götaland) Attendance: 1 215
IK Gauthiod is a club based in Grästorp in Västergötland and the club has made a remarkable journey in recent years. As late as 1999 the club played in Division 5 (7th tier) but after several promotions they have played in Division 2 (4th tier) since 2009. With two rounds remaining of the 2011 season in Division 2 Norra Götaland Gauthiod were four points ahead of Assyriska BK (from Gothenburg) and with Gauthiod playing Assyriska this sunny October afternoon I knew there would be a very big crowd at Lunnevi IP. Lunnevi IP is a basic ground with only one small open terrace on the east side of the ground but with Gauthiod being in the lower leagues nothing else was to be expected. Grästorp is around 400 km from home but since I watched Kållered vs Utsikten the day before my journey to Grästorp started in Mölndal, where I stayed for the night, and I arrived in Grästorp with 2 hours to go before the big match.
As kick-off approached the ground was filling up nicely and the official attendance was later given as 1 215, which is a new record attendance for Lunnevi IP. There was a nervous start to the match but after a while things started to happen with several chances for both teams. Assyriska had the best chance of the half hitting the inside of the post but it was still 0-0 at half-time. The second half statred with Gauthiod getting a corner and it was suddenly 1-0 to the home team. A win and Gauthiod were to be promoted to Division 1 for the first time ever. The rest of the half was very tense and nervous for the home fans with Assyriska pressing forward and creating more and more chances. Of course Gauthiod had some great counter-attacks as well but it was Assyriska who looked more likely to score the next goal. No more goals were scored though and when the final whistle there were ecstatic scenes at Lunnevi IP with fans and players celebrating a historic victory. Next year Gauthiod will be playing clubs like Örgryte and (neighbours) Trollhättan. Another Åshöjden story in Swedish football!
Entrance to Lunnevi IP
South End
West Side
North End
East Stand
A closer look..
View of Lunnevi IP
Nervous fans
Kick-off
View of play
My view
View of play
East Stand
East Stand
Fans
Trumpet
View of play
Pano |