Edlund heads Tyresö to title

Madelaine Edlund headed in nine minutes from time to give Tyresö FF their first Swedish title with a 1-0 victory against outgoing champions WFC Malmö.

In 2006, Tyresö set the target of being Swedish championship winners in 2012 – an ambitious aim for a club languishing in division three at the time. On Saturday, with minutes to spare, the team delivered on the plan, having gone into the game needing victory to deny Malmö a third straight crown.

Tyresö, having strengthened over the past few years, now have internationals in nearly every position. Brazil's Marta and Spain's Veronica Boquete arrived in attack at the start of the season along with Sweden midfielder Caroline Seger, who had won the 2011 title with Malmö.

However, even though Malmö missed the chance to clinch first place last week when they were held at Umeå IK, they went into the decider having won all ten of their previous home league games this season.

While Malmö would be champions with a draw, Tyresö knew that only victory would do. When Elaine felled Malmö forward Anja Mittag in the penalty area, it did not look good for the Stockholm side. Mittag's spot kick was saved by Carola Söberg in the Tyresö goal, though.

With neither side having managed to break the deadlock well into the second half, Tyresö increased the pressure. Malmö keeper Thóra Helgadóttir denied Lisa Dahlkvist, but was helpless as Edlund headed in Seger's cross in the 81st minute. Moments later Malmö were centimetres away from equalising as Söberg – otherwise excellent – nearly fumbled a cross over her goal line. "There's so many emotions," said an emotional Seger. "Winning like this is special."

Tyresö will make their UEFA Women's Champions League debut next season, but Malmö are involved this term and can ensure a happy end to 2012 on Wednesday when they defend a 1-0 round of 16 lead at ASD CF Verona. The same evening Göteborg FC, who finished fourth with a 1-0 win at Vittsjö GIK, welcome Fortuna Hjørring with the scoreline 1-1.