A Village Club of 1,500 Residents Is Living a Fairytale Season – Thanks to Their Heroic Coach

If you open the Swedish league table today, you might be surprised. Leading the way is Mjällby AIF, a club from the tiny village of Hällevik, home to just 1,500 people.

Only six years ago, Mjällby were stuck in the third division. Now, they are fighting for the national championship with an annual budget of around €2 million – the kind of financial power you would normally associate with relegation candidates. The team survives by constantly selling its best players and filling the squad with young talents.

There are no stars or famous names in Mjällby’s lineup. The only active international footballer represents not Sweden, but Pakistan. Yet their success has already earned a call-up to the Swedish national team for homegrown defender Axel Norén, who at 22 has made it to the bench for two friendlies, though he has yet to debut.

The Architect of the Fairytale – Anders Torstensson

The true mastermind behind this incredible story is head coach Anders Torstensson. His life could easily be the plot of a film. He spent 10 years serving in the army, followed by another decade working as a school principal, while coaching local football teams on the side.

His first connection with Mjällby dates back to 2009. After spells in women’s football and lower-division clubs, he returned 12 years later and shockingly guided the team into the top flight. At the end of that season, he left once again – going back to his role as a school principal.

Two years later, he returned for good, and under extraordinary circumstances. Mjällby were on the verge of relegation, and Torstensson himself had just received a devastating diagnosis: chronic lymphocytic leukemia. According to him, this incurable illness became his motivation to work as long as he possibly could.

From Survival Battle to Title Contenders

Since then, Torstensson has never left the dugout. Under his leadership, Mjällby reached the Swedish Cup final for the first time in club history, secured a fifth-place finish in the league, and now find themselves flying at the very top of the table.

From a village of 1,500 residents to the edge of footballing glory, Mjällby’s story is pure fairytale – written by a team of underdogs and their extraordinary coach who refuses to give up.

One of the clearest demonstrations of Mjällby’s strength this season came in their emphatic 4–1 victory over Degerfors IF:

Published by Patrick Jane
21.08.2025