More history for Mjallby as they beat Hammarby for first Svenska Cupen win
Svenska Cupen final: Mjallby 2-1 Hammarby
Both teams had flawless records in the group phase, and Mjallby advanced to only their second final ever by securing straightforward victories against Malmo in the quarterfinals and GAIS in the semifinals, whereas Hammarby edged out their rivals Djurgarden in the last eight and required a penalty shootout to eliminate Sirius.
The Allsvenskan runnersup Hammarby then exacted revenge on MAIF with a 3-0 triumph on the first day of the 2026 campaign, yet both squads entered this final without a loss in their previous five outings.
Observers anticipated a tight match, but following a clash between Paulos Abraham and Tony Miettinen at the 17minute mark, the game turned heated too. Nevertheless, the pair directed their intensity productively shortly afterwards.
The title holders appeared set to maintain their strong run when they went ahead via the opening effort on goal in the 19th minute, with Miettinen lofting a pass ahead that Elliot Stroud controlled brilliantly before rifling it into the bottom corner.
Still, Bajen hit back swiftly, merely three minutes after, as Hampus Skoglund pierced the Mjallby backline with a sharp through ball to Abraham, who brushed aside defenders in the box prior to coolly finishing beyond Robin Wallinder.
Hammarby controlled possession more in the opening period but paid the price for failing to capitalise, conceding once more right before halftime. Jeppe Kjaer drifted inwards from the right flank before squaring to Jacob Bergstrom, who shovelled the ball clear of his boots and struck it past Warner Hahn, meaning every attempt on target before the interval found the net.
Each custodian at last registered a stop in the second half while Kalle Karlssons team grew commanding, holding 70% of the ball for extended spells, though they struggled to pierce a Mjallby outfit that saw Abdoulie Manneh sidelined by injury soon after the break.
Yet Karl Marius Aksums group hunkered down low and thwarted the Stockholm outfit from forging opportunities late on. They endured a massive fright in the 11th minute of stoppage time, however, when Abraham tumbled in the penalty area under pressure from Aki Samuelsen.
In spite of fierce objections from the Hammarby squad, the official signalled the end instead of awarding a spot kick, igniting ecstatic Mjallby festivities as emotions peaked.
This call allowed MAIF to secure yet another landmark success in their modern era, overturning the sting of a thrashing loss to Hacken in their sole prior final outing back in 2023.
It proved an ideal occasion for Bergstrom to net the decider, given his long tenure with the club from their thirddivision times, and Stroud rounded off an ideal seven days that included his selection for Swedens 2026 World Cup team.
Hammarby, meanwhile, suffered a second final loss since their solitary cup triumph in 2021, marking their fifth runnersup finish overall.