The grass pitch at Norway's national arena was a major topic of discussion during and after the match, according to multiple reports. Erling Haaland apologized to everyone and said the pitch was not good enough, comparing it to one in the Faroe Islands that he described as terrible. He added that the pitch at Bryne stadium is slightly better than this, and stated the pitch nearly ruined the game, claiming Switzerland made mistakes they wouldn't have on a good pitch.
Goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland was very critical of the pitch after the match, saying there was not much benefit from the match compared to the one against the Netherlands. Nyland called it a scandal that a national team must play on such a pitch against a top-20 nation at home. NFF's secretary general Karl-Petter Løken admitted in a press release that the pitch conditions were too poor, describing it as a calculated risk in the pursuit of World Cup margins.
It was a calculated risk in the pursuit of World Cup margins.
Expert Kristoffer Løkberg in NRK's 'Bakrommet' found it strange to talk about a 'calculated risk' and suggested it would have been better to play two away matches, according to NRK. Whether the pitch conditions will lead to any formal changes or sanctions by NFF remains unknown. Helsingborgs stad provides information in multiple languages, according to an official.
Växjö Lakers organized a cup for players under 13 during the sports break, counting goals and declaring a winner, multiple reports indicate. Växjö Lakers received the maximum fine of 25,000 kronor from Smålands Ishockeyförbund for violating the ban on such tournaments, according to major media. Växjö Lakers' development manager Mikael Eriksson stated they follow the federation's directives 364 days a year and had one day to fill the camp.
I find it strange to talk about a 'calculated risk'. It would have been better to play two away matches.
Växjö Lakers' CEO Johan Markusson and Mikael Eriksson admitted the purpose of the cup was to challenge the federation. The competition committee stated Växjö Lakers were well aware of the rules and deliberately chose to break them, and that maximum penalty was unavoidable. Whether Växjö Lakers will face further consequences beyond the fine is unclear.
The draw for the Swedish Cup final has been postponed after a protest from Mjällby and Hammarby, who demand to play on a neutral venue. Strawberry Arena has been proposed as the neutral venue for the final. Strawberry Arena is AIK's home ground and has grass as its surface, the same as Strandvallen, while 3Arena, where Hammarby plays its home matches, has artificial turf.
We follow the federation's directives 364 days a year and had one day to fill the camp.
The home advantage draw was scheduled for 13:00 on Monday. SvFF announced the postponement of the draw less than an hour before the scheduled time. SvFF's competition committee will meet as soon as possible to decide on the request.
What decision SvFF's competition committee will make regarding the request for a neutral venue is unknown. The men's final will be played on May 14. The last time the cup final was held on neutral ground was in 2014, when Elfsborg defeated Helsingborgs IF 1-0 at the national arena in Solna, with 3,423 spectators attending in person.
The purpose of the cup was to challenge the federation.
Modo was frustrated after a loss to AIK, partly due to penalties and their own discipline, multiple reports show. Leksands IF deleted a clip celebrating somersault day after some fans got angry, according to major media. Växjö was self-critical after a match penalty, but Johan Larsson attacked the opponents, multiple reports indicate.
Västerås was at full strength but was not let onto the ice, and Troja-Ljungby equalized, according to major media. Kalmar HC broke the agreement on ticket prices for away supporters and has promised to refund the service fee after criticism, multiple reports indicate. What specific actions Kalmar HC will take to refund the service fee is unknown.
FBK had a strong second period against Frölunda and turned a 0-1 deficit into 2-1 before the final period, according to research. Marian Studenic set up Gabriel Carlsson for an open goal in the middle of the second period, but it was disallowed, research shows. The goal was disallowed because Lucas Forsell was considered to have pushed Frölunda defenseman Linus Högberg into Tobias Normann, according to research.
With 4:40 left in the third period, William von Barnekow scored to put Malmö up 2-1 at home against Djurgården, according to research. The goal gave Malmö the victory and tied the series 1-1, research indicates. SHL referee Tomas Thorsbrink told Aftonbladet that the goal should not have been allowed because it was offside.
The first match was decided by an incorrect goal when Djurgården's Anton Frondell scored 3-2 in extra time, according to research. The series is played in a best-of-three format and will be decided on Saturday, with Malmö at home again, research shows. How the series will be decided in the upcoming match, given the controversy over the allowed goal, remains uncertain.