Kalmar enjoyed a very easy season that saw them securing survival even before the summer break when the team’s form was impressive. Ever since May the Reds were cruising and playing without much motivation, but also without feeling any pressure.
Despite having 4-5 players injured or suspended almost constantly throughout the campaign Kalmar showed good depth and with several promising youngsters coming strong through the ranks and the 3 winter Brazilian signings providing interesting options when they were needed the Reds started 2018 very well.
Five wins and a draw in the first eight rounds even put Kalmar within a striking distance from the top 3, but the most important thing this start provided was an almost immediate double-digit lead over the bottom three. This relaxed the atmosphere in the squad and drop of the motivation was witnessed in the final 3 games before the summer beak as Kalmar collected a single point from them.
The second part of the season was much poorer, Kalmar achieved only 4 wins in the 19 rounds from July onwards, but as 3 of these 4 wins were against sides below them and also thanks to strategic draws vs. Sirius, Dalkurd and Brommapojkarna the Reds remained well clear of any danger and they were simply cruising all campaign, with the safety officially confirmed with 4 games to spare.
From August onwards coach Bergstrand started experimenting with his squad a lot and this gave a chance to numerous youngsters to shine, plus Kalmar tested formations with three, four and even five at the back. The goals were evenly split between the forwards, none of them was outstanding, but the most reliable players was centre-back Viktor Elm, who was the best defender of the team no matter what the formation at the back was, plus he scored 4 goals at the other end of the pitch.
Winger Hiago also had decent first season in Sweden, despite being used mostly off the bench for long periods, with the talented Brazilian expected to be one of the main players of the team in 2019. His countryman Romarinho, who was mister consistency with his 29 starts – the only game he missed was due to suspension – is also very important figure for Kalmar in the heart of the midfield.
