The SM quarterfinal handball match between HK Malmö and Ystads IF was suddenly interrupted with only minutes left, according to officials. Ystads IF goalkeeper Alexander Lindén called for the referee after being disturbed by a light from the stands, officials said. The light came from 63-year-old Roland Månsson's mobility scooter, which accidentally blinded the goalkeeper, according to official reports. An official ran to Månsson and asked him to turn off the light, which he did, officials confirmed. According to SVT Nyheter, Roland Månsson described that the official told him his own players had complained about the light, and he understood nothing but was glad it was his own players, otherwise it could have caused a big fuss.
Ystads IF won the match 32–30, officials said, and leads the quarterfinal series 2–1 in matches. The fourth quarterfinal match will be held tomorrow, Thursday, with Ystads IF hosting Malmö, according to official sources. Månsson, who attends all Ystads IF's home matches according to officials, has received a free ticket to the next match from goalkeeper Alexander Lindén. According to Tor Blendberg, club chief for Ystads IF, Månsson has been asked to deliver the match ball with his headlight on. According to SVT Nyheter, Roland Månsson described that the situation has become huge, with players wanting to talk to him and the goalkeeper sending him SMS about the incident.
An official ran to me and asked me to turn off the light, which I did.
The full extent of the aftermath and any potential disciplinary actions regarding the interruption remains unclear. Meanwhile, in Swedish Cup action, Malmö FF advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win over Halmstads BK. Anders Christiansen scored the winning goal for Malmö FF against Halmstad. Johan Dahlin made his comeback for Malmö FF after 496 days out due to a knee injury, having last played a competitive match in October 2024 against IFK Göteborg. Johan Dahlin seriously injured his cruciate ligament in October 2024, according to multiple reports, and returned in the autumn but had Robin Olsen and Melker Ellborg ahead of him in the goalkeeper hierarchy at that time.
Johan Dahlin substituted in at halftime for Robin Olsen, to loud applause from the home crowd, according to multiple sources. Robin Olsen was substituted injured at halftime in the Malmö FF vs. Halmstad match, but the exact reason for his substitution and the specific nature and severity of his injury are not yet confirmed. Robin Olsen did not come out for the second half for an as yet unclear reason, reports indicate. Malmö FF's opponent in the quarterfinals will be determined by draw, with which team they will face still to be decided.
The official told me that my own players had complained about the light.
In the match itself, Erik Botheim scored a penalty goal in the 22nd minute, according to multiple sources. Malte Persson equalized for Halmstads BK a few minutes before halftime, reports indicate. The match ended 2-1 with Malmö FF missing further chances, and the team needed a third goal to increase their chance of playing the quarterfinal at home, according to sources. Malmö FF's defense has not looked as good in the group stage, with instability noted in this match, multiple reports suggest. Marvin Illary stole the ball from Johan Karlsson in Malmö FF's penalty area and set up Persson for the equalizing goal, according to reports, while Johan Karlsson has performed well in Jens Stryger's injury absence during the year.
Taha Ali terrorized Rami Kaib on Halmstads BK's left side, according to multiple sources. Taha Ali caused a penalty and should have gotten another one in stoppage time, reports indicate. Taha Ali was fouled again in HBK's penalty area during stoppage time, which he thought was a clear penalty, but referee Adi Aganović did not agree. According to Fotbollskanalen, Taha Ali described that the linesman told him that he said it was a penalty, and he cut inside and shot with his left, got a return, then the defender stepped on his shoelaces when he was going to shoot with his right. Whether Taha Ali's second penalty incident in stoppage time was correctly called by the referee remains disputed. According to Fotbollskanalen, Taha Ali described that it feels like he ends up in such situations all too often, it's starting to get tedious actually, but he doesn't want to end up in a situation where he throws mud at referees and such, as it's unimportant, the most important thing is that they advanced. He added that he felt he dominated throughout the match, created many big chances, and the most important for him is that the collective was also good.
I understood nothing but was glad it was my own players, otherwise it could have caused a big fuss.
Tim Rönning kept HBK in the match with some fine saves in the second half, according to reports, while Erik Botheim scored his fourth goal in the cup play and looks like Malmö's obvious central option right now. In SHL action, Malmö Redhawks defeated Färjestad BK 2-1 in overtime. Carl Persson equalized for Malmö with 26 seconds left against Färjestad, and scored the winning goal in overtime after a mistake by Emil Larmi. Emil Larmi, Färjestad's goalie, saved over 20 shots and was close to a shutout before Malmö's late goals, according to research sources. Emil Larmi hit his stick against the plexiglass in frustration after the loss to Malmö. The win against Färjestad was Malmö's first after four consecutive losses.
According to Sportbladet, Carl Persson described it as one of the craziest matches he has played, with 4-4 after the first period something he has probably never experienced before. He added, 'Yes, I was (surprised). It is unfortunate. If I had missed there I don't know what I would have done.' Cam Abbott, Färjestad BK coach, said, 'We had some very weak decisions in overtime. Both with the puck and obviously there at the end. It is a missed opportunity for three points today.' Carl Persson also noted, 'Important that we break the negative trend. Extra important that we set the defense.'
The situation has become huge, with players wanting to talk to me and the goalkeeper sending me SMS about the incident.
In a different match, Malmö Redhawks defeated Rögle 6-4, with goals from players including Carl Persson (two goals) and Robin Hanzl, according to research sources. Rögle's 6-4 loss is their third in their last four matches, keeping them in third place, while Malmö stays fifth. Vaxjo won 4-0 against HV 71, maintaining a three-point gap over Malmö and moving within three points of Rögle, research indicates. Skellefteå leads the SHL with 102 points after a win over Malmö, according to major media reports. Skelleftea won their seventh consecutive match, 2-1 against Orebro, with Oscar Lindberg scoring two goals in the last two minutes, research shows.
The Malmö vs. Skellefteå match featured 13 goals, according to major media reports. Linus Öberg scored two goals in that match, while Jonathan Johnson and Rickard Hugg each scored two goals for Skellefteå. Kalle Hemström scored his first SHL goal for Malmö Redhawks against Skellefteå, according to major media, and was called up to the junior national team in January. According to Hockeysverige, Magnus Hävelid praised Kalle Hemström upon his call-up to the junior national team. Malmö Redhawks are two points behind Luleå in the race for quarterfinal spots, major media reports, and next play at home against Leksand on Thursday, March 12 at 19:00. Skellefteå next plays at home against Rögle on Tuesday.
It is one of the craziest matches I have played. 4-4 after the first period I have probably never experienced before.
In other SHL results, Nicklas Bäckström returned to play for Brynäs after being injured for six matches, according to major media. According to Sportbladet, Nicklas Bäckström described it as fun to be back. Kieffer Bellows opened the scoring for Brynäs against Malmö, while Fredrik Händemark equalized for Malmö, and Janne Kuokkanen scored the decisive shootout goal for Malmö against Brynäs, major media reports indicate. Brynäs is in fifth place in the SHL with two rounds left. Frolunda maintained a nine-point lead at the top with a 6-1 victory over Djurgarden, their third win in a row, while Farjestad ended a losing streak with a 7-0 victory over Brynas, their first win under new head coach Cam Abbott, research shows. The IIHF Guide & Record Book 2025 is the 15th edition, detailing international ice hockey events, regulations, and historical records, according to research.
Yes, I was (surprised). It is unfortunate. If I had missed there I don't know what I would have done.
We had some very weak decisions in overtime. Both with the puck and obviously there at the end. It is a missed opportunity for three points today.
Important that we break the negative trend. Extra important that we set the defense.
Magnus Hävelid praised Kalle Hemström upon his call-up to the junior national team.
It is fun to be back.
The linesman told me that he said it was a penalty.
I cut inside and shot with my left, got a return. Then he stepped on my shoelaces when I was going to shoot with my right.
It feels like I end up in such situations all too often, it's starting to get tedious actually.
But I don't want to end up in a situation where I throw mud at referees and such. It's unimportant, the most important thing is that we advanced.
I felt that I dominated actually, throughout the match. Created many big chances. The most important for me is that we as a collective were also good.