Redundant match at Gamla Ullevi was far from what GAIS had anticipated. Just minutes into the game, Oscar Ågren was forced to substitute a Nordsjælland player who was about to be sent off. Shortly after, Mergim Krasniqi had to save a penalty. The first goal came early, with Runar Norheim scoring after an elegant attack in the 11th minute. Three minutes later, Villum Berthelsen's shot found its way into the net via Ågren. Nordsjælland continued their dominance and GAIS could not stop the bleeding. Ten minutes before halftime, Mjällby increased their lead to 3-0 with a well-executed shot from Berthelsen that hit the post, and Hjalte Boe finished it off. Nicklas Röjkjaer then scored both goals and provided an assist in what ended up being a 6-0 match, making the total score 6-1.
Joachim Fagerjord expressed his disappointment: 'It's incredibly disappointing for everyone who came here to see us play like this. We are not well-coordinated at all.' Fagerjord added that GAIS struggled in every aspect of the game-poor ball control, weak defense, and overall poor performance.
GAIS is one of three teams in Allsvenskan with the least goals conceded. The team's collapse was rare and severe. 'They are so skilled; all eleven players have excellent technique,' Fagerjord said. 'We are going downhill and closing down spaces too slowly.'
Mjällby goalkeeper Mergim Krasniqi, who conceded six goals, admitted that the loss felt particularly tough: 'Today, one wants to hide under the earth, it's just that bad. It was extremely difficult. I can't remember the last time I conceded six goals in a game. This loss feels much harder than any other.'
Krasniqi had anticipated a tough match but not this challenging. 'That it would flow so badly, we neither of us thought about it. It's extremely difficult now. One feels that one has let oneself, the team, and especially those who came to see us down, down,' Krasniqi said.
Fredrik Holmberg acknowledged the difficulty: 'It is hard to remember when this was so fresh. It was nice to beat them, but it's probably a thousand times harder today to go through such a loss.' He emphasized that GAIS needs to learn from this defeat: 'We met a much better team. We started the match too weak and poorly to be in any position to challenge them. They are very good. We need to get much better to compete with them. That is the harsh reality.'
