HovshagaGround: Hagavallen Visits: 1 Date: 30th April 2022 Match: Hovshaga - Sölvesborg 0-1 (Division 3 Sydöstra Götaland) Attendance: 150 One of my targets when it comes to domestic groundhopping is to complete Division 3 Sydöstra Götaland, one of 12 leagues at level 5 in Sweden. Hovshaga were promoted from Division 4 in dramatic fashion and Hagavallen is one of the two grounds I am missing in the league. 30 April is Valborgsmässoafton (and the King's birthday!) in Sweden and kick-off between Hovshaga and Sölvesborg was as early as 13.00. Hovshaga are based in northern Växjö and from Kristianstad that is around 1 h 40 min by car. Due to roadworks I had to make a detour but I could park my car outside the ground some 45 minutes prior to kick-off. There is a grass pitch at Hagavallen but nowadays that is only used for youth games. The senior teams play at the new artificial pitch. There is a grass wall on two sides of the pitch and on the east side there are six small wooden stands for fans to sit on. The clubhouse was apparently opened this month and is quite big for a club at this level. The most prominent person at Hagavallen today was probably Marcus Ekenberg. He is now 41 years old and has made 400+ appearances for Mjällby AIF. In recent years he has played for Sölvesborg in division 2 and 3 and so far this season he has scored four goals. In the first half Hovshaga had most of the possession early on but gradually it was more and more Sölvesborg. With 10 minutes to go Sölvesborg got a free-kick 35 metres from goal and Marcus Ekenberg was alert. He quickly took the free-kick and the Hovshaga goalkeeper was taken by surprise, 0-1. Very nice goal and 0-1 at half-time. The 2nd half was not too exciting and although Hovshaga had a few decent opportunities towards the end there were no more goals at Hagavallen today. No official attendance was given but I estimate around 150 spectators were present. Hovshaga is obviously a community club and most fans seem to go home by foot or bike. ![]() Match! Entrance East Stand East Stand Players and officials entering Kick-off West side View of play South End View of play East Stand East Stand East Stand North End Fans enjoying the nice weather! |