Football Season Guide

After 12 years in the lower divisions GAIS enjoyed their return to the top flight last year. Excellent defending all season saw them finish 6th. For long they even looked like proper contenders for the medals and a place in Europe. Had only the 11th strongest attack in 2024 (36 goals scored in 30 games) but only the top 2 teams conceded fewer than GAIS’s 34 goals and this was their true strength. The ability to soak up pressure and still earn clean sheets was impressive. Mergim Krasniqi achieved 9 shut downs in 21 starts. He also had the 2nd best save percentage (77) in the entire league. GAIS managed to keep their back line almost intact this winter. Only the solid Axel Norén was sold. However, after a breakthrough year young star CB Anes Cardaklija (19) was expected to take the starting role from Noren going forward anyway. Veteran Celik retired but apart from that no other big names left. Ahl Holmström was sold but he was ineffective so this only opened room to look for fresh options up front. Gustav Lundgren, had 9 assists last year (2nd most in the entire Allsvenskan), stayed put. He will now be trying to produce for a new core of strikers. Lucas Hedlund, arrived late last summer, should be up for a much larger role in attack in 2025. CM Kevin Holmén arrived from Elfsborg after having an excellent last season in the Second Tier. He’s one for the future but likely to be used often.