Ground: Saltsjöbadens Idrottsplats

Visits: 1

Date: 17th June 2022

Match: Nacka Iliria - Newroz  5-0  (Division 3 Södra Svealand)

Attendance: 60

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My summer holidays started this week and on Friday morning I set off for Stockholm. I was in Stockholm last summer with my girlfriend and at Sweden v Malta in 2019 but this was to be my first groundhopping weekend in Stockholm since 2018. When I booked the trip the plan was to visit two of my remaining grounds in Division 1 Norra and then plan the weekend around those games. I knew there would be several fixtures on Friday evening and in the end I decided to visit Saltsjöbadens IP for Nacka Iliria v Newroz in Division 3 Södra Svealand.

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My hotel was next to Skanstull metro station and from there I went by metro to Gullmarsplan, tram to Sickla and finally another tram to Neglinge in Saltsjöbaden. Saltsjöbaden is a nice (and expensive) part of Stockholm and some of the houses I saw were quite impressive. Tonight's venue, Saltsjöbadens IP, has running tracks and an artificial pitch but it has two small stands making it an ok ground at this level. FC Nacka Iliria is a merger of Nacka FC and FC Iliria and in 2021 the new club played in Division 3 for the first time. In 2022 the club has done very well and are top of the table.

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After only 20 seconds the league leaders went 1-0 up. Newroz played several seasons in Division 2 but are at the moment in the relegation zone and this was not the start they wanted. It was soon 2-0 and by now there were a lot of goading and provocative comments on the pitch. I heard the referee saying “Are you here to play football or insult each other? I am fed up with this behaviour.” At half-time the Newroz manager was shown the red card but in the 2nd half it was much calmer on the pitch. In the end Nacka Iliria won 5-0 and they are heading towards division 2. There was free entrance this evening and most of the around 60 spectators present supported Newroz. Another disappointing evening for them and they really need to win some matches to avoid another relegation.

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Saltsjöbaden​

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Rear of the North Stand​

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North Stand​

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East End​

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South Stand​

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West End​

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View of Saltsjöbadens IP​

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Statue​

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Kick-off​

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View of play​

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South Stand​

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View of play​

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North Stand​

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North Stand