Herr A 2025/2026 – recap, overview, summary

This season was, at more than one point, about adapting to change.

The roster at the beginning of the year was a wild mix of players. We had a core group from last year, seven players coming from Division 2 or lower, and Martin, who joined us from Spain for an exchange

and raised our level.

The trainings at the beginning clearly reflected that: the level was frustratingly uneven, and the differences between players were quite noticeable. At the same time, we had a solid

starting six, which was enough for us to compete well in matches.

We started the season with good performances and results, and for a while we were clearly competing at

the top of the table. Then, barely a month and a half into the season, Martin transferred to Floby in the

elitseries. That changed the team quite a lot, especially offensively, and we had to adjust both our

structure and how we played.

That transition was not easy. Results became less consistent, some of our performances were

objectively rather bad, and we had to redefine roles within the group. Several younger and less

experienced players had to take on bigger responsibilities, and that takes time. We also had a few

injuries in the first half, which did not help.

What I think the team did very well was how we handled that phase. The level of commitment in training

stayed high, and the group remained focused and working in the same direction. That made it possible to

actually rebuild, instead of losing structure completely.

In the second half of the season, that work started to show very clearly, both in training and also on the

court. We became more stable, more confident, and overall a better team. Our turning point was, I think,

our away game against Engelholm – a very strong team that we barely beaten in 5 sets in our first

meeting, while Martin was still playing with us. We traveled there with almost no expectations, and we

delivered an amazing game. Although we were up 12-10 in the fifth set, in the end we fell 13-15 in the tie

break. The result was very bitter, but it showed us that we were already a different team.

Fast forward a few months: if one only considers the second half of the season, we outperformed every other team in

the league in terms of points and wins. Despite a rough first half, we finished in the season in position 3,

behind Habo and Engelholm, and just one point away from coming in position 2.

Our development was also very clear in training. The quality of the sessions was consistently very good

by the end of the season, the overall level was much higher, and the differences between players had

become much smaller. This was very rewarding to see as a coach, and it is probably the clearest

evidence of the work done during the season.

There were also some moments that really showed what this team can be. The win against our city rivals

Gothia, in what was probably one of our best matches of the season, is a good example of that level. And

the comeback in Lund, where we hadn’t won in three years, was another highlight.

From a development point of view, this was a very good year. Half the team came from Division 2 or

lower, and still took on important roles in a team that finished top 3 in the league. There are not many

teams that can integrate that many players from lower divisions, without relying on a few exceptional

individuals to carry the group, and still compete at this level.

This season also made something very clear. We are not a team built around a few players carrying the

rest, or a team that depends on bringing in players from higher leagues to compete. We are a team that

develops players, trains consistently, and demands standards from everyone. That approach is not

always the easiest one, but it is what allows the group to improve and compete at a high level.

This season shows very clearly what is possible with a motivated group when there is commitment,

structure, and a clear direction. The second half of the season is a very good reflection of what we can

achieve when those things are in place. If this trajectory continues, there is no reason why the group cannot aim to play at the highest level in Sweden in the near future.