IF Elfsborg

[[File:Elfsborg1942.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The glory days of IF Elfsborg, season 1942–43, with the team whom won three national titles.

Standing from left: Gillis Andersson, Evert Grahn, Knut Johansson, Sven Jonasson, Stenholm, KE Grahn.

Kneeling from left: Dahl, Hernqvist, Åke Sandberg, Arne Sandgren, Emanuelsson.]]

Borås Fotbollslag was formed on 26 June 1904, by a group of youngsters. In 1906 the name was changed to IF Elfsborg, because the founders felt there were too many teams with 'Borås' in their name. In 1926 Elfsborg won Västsvenska Serien, and defeated Halmstad BK in the play-off, and was promoted to Allsvenskan for the first time. During the 1930s Elfsborg built a very strong team led by striker Sven Jonasson, who appeared in both the 1934 and 1938 World Cup. In 1936 Elfsborg won Allsvenskan for the first time, and two more titles followed soon after (1939 and 1940). During this period Elfsborg had as many as seven players in the Sweden national team.

The club also fielded a bandy team for decades.nittonhundrafyra.wordpress.com/ In 1920, 1924, 1927, 1932, 1934, and 1938, IF Elfsborg won the Västergötland bandy district championship.Eric Sköld (ed.): Boken om bandy, Uppsala: Bygd och Folk Förlag (1948), pp. 462f (in Swedish)

In 1941 Elfsborg left Ramnavallen to play their home games at the newly constructed Ryavallen. The first game at the new ground was supposed to be a friendly between Sweden and Finland, but Finland's involvement in the Second World War prevented them from playing, so they were replaced by Elfsborg, who beat Sweden 2–1.

In the mid-1940s Elfsborg came close to claiming Allsvenskan again, but finished second three consecutive seasons. By the late 1940s, Elfsborg's glory days were sparse, and the club would relegated in 1954.

In 1960 Elfsborg won promotion after an impressive season with 20 wins in 22 games, and the club won Allsvenskan for the fourth time in 1961, becoming the first Swedish team to go straight from the second level to becoming champions. This was under the leadership of the legendary Sven Andreasson as chairman.

In 1977 Elfsborg reached second place, but the following years proved difficult for the club. In 1987 Elfsborg finished last in Allsvenskan, and did not return to the top flight until 1997. The team that won promotion contained several future Swedish internationals including Anders Svensson and Tobias Linderoth. Even though Elfsborg won their first two cup titles (in 2001 and 2003), the club struggled to stay in Allsvenskan in the following years.

File:Elfsborg 1961.jpg 1961.]]

In 2005 Elfsborg spent a lot of money on building Borås Arena, and bringing back former players. The investments paid off and the fifth Championship was won in 2006 – the club's first Allsvenskan title for 41 years. The year after Elfsborg appeared in the Champions League qualifying stage for the first time, and subsequently reached the group stage in the UEFA Cup for the first time. On the way there they knocked out Linfield FC (Northern Ireland) and Debreceni VSC (Hungary) in the qualification stage of the Champions League before eventually being eliminated themselves by the hands of Valencia CF (Spain) in the last round. The club won the last round of qualifications for the Uefa Cup against FC Dinamo București (Romania).

In the group stage IF Elfsborg faced AC Fiorentina and Villarreal away and AEK Athens and FK Mladá Boleslav at Borås Arena and was knocked out.

In the following years, IF Elfsborg under the guidance of coach Magnus Haglund and his 4-2-3-1-formation have established themselves as a top club in Swedish football. The clearly stated ambition to finish top 4, qualifying for European football every year. In 2007, the club finished 4th securing a place in the last edition of the Intertoto-cup, from which they advanced but was surprisingly knocked out by St Patrick's Athletic F.C. in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup after conceding late goals in both legs.

The team bounced back though, competing for the title again until the very last round of 2008. In the end, injuries to key players like Anders Svensson and Stefan Ishizaki proved to costly, eventually having to settle for second place behind Kalmar FF.

File:Borasarena.JPG opened a new era for Elfsborg.]]

The following year, IF Elfsborg once again challenged for a place in European football, brushing aside Hungarian side Szombathelyi Haladás and Portuguese S.C. Braga before eventually falling in the last qualifying round against S.S. Lazio.

IF Elfsborg were big favourites for winning the 2009 but had a problem capitalizing on their high possession and serendipity and eventually ranking third behind AIK and rivals IFK Göteborg.

The following season expectations remained high, but a mediocre start (only nine points in the first 9 rounds), the IF Elfsborg 2010 campaign became an uphill struggle, and Helsingborgs IF and Malmö FF were uncatchable. Malmö FF would be champions with IF Elfsborg in fourth place.

2010 marked IF Elfsborg's fourth consecutive season in continental football. The team entered the Europa League second qualifying round in the seeded pot having no real difficulties eliminating Moldovan side FC Iskra-Stal (on an aggregate score of 3–1). The Macedonian side FK Teteks proved unchallenging in the following round with IF Elfsborg realising an emphatic 5–0 first leg win.

The team seemed in good shape to make a serious challenge for reaching the Europa League group stage even though they would be unseeded in the last qualifying round. Unfortunately the draw was once again one of the worst realised. SSC Napoli was held to a 1–0 win away at Stadio San Paolo following a stellar effort by new Danish signing Jesper Christiansen, but the Italians proved too strong in the second leg where they cruised to a 2–0 victory, both goals scored by Uruguay international Edinson Cavani.

The 2010 season was busy for transfers, both in and out. Sweden international Emir Bajrami making his way to FC Twente during the summer and top goalscorer Denni Avdic moving to Werder Bremen during the January transfer window. Three players were signed from Danish clubs. Former hero Jon Jönsson was brought in from Brøndby IF during the summer to bolster the defense, goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen from FC København and right back Andreas Klarström from Esbjerg fB making a comeback to the club.

The club signings during the 2010–2011 winter were notable. Brought in were: forward Lasse Nilsson from Vitesse Arnhem, central defender Andreas Augustsson from Randers FC and target man David Elm from Fulham F.C. Once again, many of the media pundits were thinking that IF Elfsborg were firm favourites to win the 2011.

In early spring former allsvenskan top goalscorer Fredrik Berglund decided to hang up his boots.

The 2011 campaign showed an IF Elfsborg seemingly set on playing a more successful straightforward counter-attacking game. The team started bringing home the occasional away wins. By season's midpoint the team was trailing Helsingborgs IF at the top of the table. Young left winger Niklas Hult was the standout player during that half of the season, quickly establishing himself in the team and being touted by some members of the press as "the new Freddie Ljungberg".

In continental football, IF Elfsborg entered the fray in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. CS Fola Esch were brushed aside after winning 4–0 in the first leg at home and drawing (1–1) away.

File:I15 fana 1849.JPG.]]

Ever since Elfsborg was established they wore the main colour yellow with some stripes of black. The yellow and black color originates in Älvsborg, and it was Älvsborg Regiment{{cite web |url=http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/EL-bladet-Nummer-1-2012.pdf|title=Elfsborgs färger|access-date=24 June 2012}} that had yellow and black color on their flag, which meant that Elfsborg of course would play in these colors. So it became yellow shirts and black shorts. The costumes remained pure in the colors yellow and black with no club text scrolling on the chest or back. They were simply pure in their colors, and it remained so until the 1940s when trends over Sweden was to adorn their badge on the shirt. In this manner, they could strengthen their brand even more. For Elfsborgs part it was the classic black text Elfsborg in italics placed on the chest at the heart. From 1940 until 2007, almost 50 years, the classic text Elfsborg decorated chest. From 2007 there was a change to what is now the official club emblem there, an emblem derived from the 1970s and has appeared in several versions at most of Elfsborg sections. It is a crown of yellow and black with Elfsborg engraved in it and a football at the top. The reason for the change was mainly to promote the club brand. They wanted a brand that people and companies could associate themselves with – instead of a text as before.{{cite web |url=http://elfsborgslaktaren.blogspot.se/2007/10/vad-betyder-emblemet-p-brstet.html|title=Emblemets historia|access-date=23 June 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/103123.aspx|title=Helgult? Nej tack!|access-date=23 June 2012}}

File:Old crest of football team IF Elfsborg.jpg

Elfsborg reserve kit is red, and become so as a tribute to a 1941 match against the Sweden. The match was intended a celebration to the Elfsborg new arena Ryavallen. But Second World War deprivation left Elfsborg with a choice of kit the same color, yellow, as their opponent. On short notice, a kit was borrowed from Borås Wäferi, red and white. The Elfsbor 2-1 win would be memorialized in the red kit. Sweden played in yellow. The colours red and white figure prominently as symbols of the city of Borås, in the coat of arms with the two scissors. Elfsborg has the distinction of being the only team in Allsvenskan's history to ever defeat Sweden.{{cite web|url=http://www.elfsborg.se/1940|title=Elfsborg besegrade det svenska landslaget|access-date=23 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217051056/http://elfsborg.se/1940|archive-date=17 December 2010|url-status=dead}}

The shirts remained long without a major sponsor, which would obviously affect the economy. When IFE harrowed in Division 1 South in

the early 1990s, Olle Blomqvist CEO of Ellos went in with large sums of money and saved the association by becoming the major sponsor. This was not necessarily because he is particularly interested in football, but because he knew the importance Elfsborg had to Borås and Sjuhärad. Ellos became such a prominent sponsor that people jokingly began to Christen the team "Ellos" due to its presence on their shirts.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportnik.com/group/27414/sponsor/247009|title=Ellos storsponsor|access-date=23 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115023835/http://www.sportnik.com/group/27414/sponsor/247009|archive-date=15 January 2012|url-status=dead}} In 2010, a survey showed that Elfsborg was second best team in Allsvenskan to acquire sponsorship money and to establish and maintain contact with their sponsor.{{cite web |url=http://www.fotbollskanalen.se/allsvenskan/malmo-basta-idrottsklubb-pa-sponsorer---elfsborg-nast-bast-pa-attonde-plats/|title= Elfsborg näst bäst i allsvenskan inom sponsorsektorn|access-date=7 July 2012}} The same year, Elfsborg broke a record in local sponsorships around Sjuhärad when its sponsor money increased from 28 to 33 million SEK.{{cite web|url=http://www.bt.se/sport/elfsborg_i_allsvenskan/elfsborg-slar-rekord-i-lokal-sponsring(1231988).gm|title=Elfsborg ökade sin sponsring under 2010|access-date=7 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717074719/http://www.bt.se/sport/elfsborg_i_allsvenskan/elfsborg-slar-rekord-i-lokal-sponsring(1231988).gm|archive-date=17 July 2014|url-status=dead}}

It was not until recently that they signed a contract with major sportbrands. Elfsborg have significantly signed a contract with Umbro up to this date to use their collection of both soccer shoes and clothes. So strong was Umbro's sponsorship, that a section of Borås Arena became "umbrocorner". In earlier years, teams always sewed their own shirts, but with a contract from a major label, new shirts get released into the market each year– which is an economical advantage.{{cite web |url=http://www.joyfulgiftcard.com/index.php?id=11&ce=77&no_cache=1|title=Umbro tröjsponsor|access-date=24 June 2012}}

{{See also|Ramnavallen|Ryavallen|Borås Arena}}

One of the first homegrounds to Elfsborg was a small pitch of grass in Folkparken (Ramnaparken today). However Elfsborg noticed quickly that it required more space to be on, both for training and matches. They went to Fristad and Fristads hed where they practiced and played, due to the more space. Next ground that was in Borås was Apotekarnas Mosse who would later become today's Ramnavallen.

Ramnavallen was completed in 1922 and then got Elfsborg finally run out on his long-awaited stadium, Ramnavallen. At its time, this was a very modern stadium even though it initially took only 2.700 spectators. Borås Tidning was lyrical about the contribution and described the stadium as impressive from the provincial point of view and because it had high international standards. Elfsborg first Allsvenskan league match on Ramnavallen was played in 1926 and guests were Örgryte IS. 3887 spectators came and saw Evert Lundqvist make the only goal for the guests. The next season became the first yellow and black premiere triumph on the new stadium. AIK came to Ramnavallen and were defeated with 2–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/a-laget/38-infoer/2594-seriepremiaer-oemsom-vin-oemsom-vatten|title=Ramnavallen seriepremiär|access-date=24 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504140215/http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/a-laget/38-infoer/2594-seriepremiaer-oemsom-vin-oemsom-vatten|archive-date=4 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

Elfsborg kept ramnavallen as a homeground until 1941 and during this time won three league titles. Attendance record of ramnavallen was against AIK 7 June 1936, the end game before the league gold, 16.348 spectators came to see Elfsborg win their first league title in history.{{cite web |url=http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/127375.aspx|title=Elfsborgs första guld|access-date=24 June 2012}}

File:Play order for the FIFA World Cup 1958.jpg and Ryavallen are number 22.{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=15/results/matches/match=1332/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018075518/http://fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=15/results/matches/match=1332/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2007|title=Ryavallen VM 1958 Soviet-Österrike|access-date=19 July 2012}} ]]

Ryavallen was completed in 1941 and became first of all the new homeground of IF Elfsborg. But it was also Borås first major sports stadium, where the usual track and field could be exercised. Hence the athletics track along the pitch. Before one grandstand was demolished in 2005 the capacity was 19.400, to today's approximately 7,000. The old Ryavallen in Borås will get a facelift in 2012. Prior to Swedish Athletics Championship 2013, the current six running tracks widened to eight, and both seat grandstand and the earthworks plan is stripped to make room. The old legendary dikes on Ryavallen gets a proper scratch when Ryavallen upgraded for 13 million SEK. After the renovation, Ryavallen will not be approved to play football on by Swedish Football Association nor UEFA, it will in the future only be used for the purpose of athletics.{{cite web |url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=95&artikel=4973293|title=Ryavallen renoveras|date=19 February 2012 |access-date=28 June 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://elfsborgslaktaren.blogspot.se/2008/03/bevara-vr-stplatskultur-del-ii.html|title=Ryavallen kultur|date=9 March 2008|access-date=24 June 2012}}

At one point came ryavallen to be used for a championship. During the 1958 FIFA World Cup, it hosted the matches between USSR and Austria, and between England and Austria. The Soviet Union won their match against Austria with 2–0, and England had a draw against Austria, 2–2. A championship where Sweden came as a surprise to the finals where they faced Brazil. It ended with a 5–2 loss, but an honorable second place which is the best Sweden performed in a World Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.vm-fotboll.se/vm-historia-sverige.html|title=VM 1958|access-date=24 June 2012}}

File:Ryavallen in the 60s.jpg

The most memorable event in Ryavallen was the gold game against Örgryte IS – 1961. Elfsborg faced Örgryte on Ryavallen and plays 1–1. When the final whistle sounded, it was clear that Elfsborg as first team come up from Division 2 and immediately won Allsvenskan gold. This made them historic. This was the fourth league gold for Elfsborg. Another very memorable moment of the more terrible degree was when the grandstand collapsed against IFK Göteborg – 1979. The reason was because of the high spectator pressure (19,170) the grandstand collapsed and 10 people had to get to hospital. A memorable moment of the weirder degree was an own goal by Husqvarna IF in the final minutes – 1958. Elfsborg played against Husqvarna IF and it is 0–1 with ten minutes left. A Husqvarna player receives the ball just outside his own penalty area. He then shoots, hard and accurate an untakeable shot into his own goal. No one understands why, and the match ends 1–1. In the newspaper the day after he explains that he was so tired that he did not know which side of the pitch he had found himself.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/ovrigt/tidernasogonblick.htm|title=Ryavallens största ögonblick|access-date=24 June 2012}}

25 October 2004 would be a historic game before kickoff. Elfsborg met Hammarby and that was the last game ever at Ryavallen. The arena had become too old after 63 years of service. In 2005 Elfsborg moved to its new modern arena, Borås Arena, and ryavallen was converted completely to only fit for athletics. Even so, did Ryavallen reach the highest attendance record in history of Elfsborg, IF Elfsborg – IFK Norrköping – 1961. Record Audience 21,854 in this historic match. Elfsborg won the match with 3–0. After Ryavallen inaugurated in 1941 by Crown Prince Gustav Adolf V{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/ovrigt/tidernasogonblick.htm|title=Gustav Adolf inviger Ryavallen|access-date=28 June 2012}} and Elfsborg struck as the only Allsvenskan team in the history Sweden men's national football team in the inaugural match by 2–1. That also completed a 63-year history in the last match against Hammarby with a win.{{cite web |url=http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/20962.aspx|title=Ryavallens avsked|access-date=24 June 2012}}

File:Algardslaktaren Borås Arena.jpg.]]

Borås Arena is a football stadium in Borås, Sweden. It is the home ground of IF Elfsborg and Norrby IF and was opened on 17 April 2005. Borås Arena has an artificial turf pitch, and was changed to the most modern synthetic turf on the market during the UEFA Euro 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/oevrigt/91-oevrigt/2724-ut-med-det-gamla-in-med-det-nya|title=Borås Arena byter konstgräs|access-date=24 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504140745/http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/oevrigt/91-oevrigt/2724-ut-med-det-gamla-in-med-det-nya|archive-date=4 May 2014}} at a cost of £500 000. The capacity of the arena is 14,500–17,800 depending on usage, 14,800 is mostly the capacity during international matches, because Uefa would not approve the installation of seats on the standing because of fire risk which means a lower capacity is needed to be approved by Uefa. Borås Arena is located next to Elfsborgs old homeground Ryavallen, both of the stadiums are built together at the roofs, which means that the new stadium is still attached to the old historical Ryavallen.{{cite web |url=http://www.elfsborg.se/biljetter/boras-arena|title=Borås Arena Fakta|date=28 December 2009|access-date=24 June 2012}}

The first construction started on 31 December 2003 and was inaugurated 17 April 2005 at a cost of £1,120 000 . Which was very cheap at this time considering to be Sweden's most modern stadium at that time. It was an effort by Borås Municipality that went out as a lender to Elfsborg. A necessary investment for the club and the city, Elfsborg would own their own stadium by the company Borås Arena AB and would receive all revenues without any intermediaries from matches. Borås Arena didn't only open a new era for IF Elfsborg but also for other clubs in Allsvenskan, Elfsborg was the first club to build a new arena owned by their own investment company. Many other clubs have built new arenas copying the model Elfsborg set up, trying to own their arena which gives big economic resources. Borås Arena consists of four main grandstands; Knallelandsläktaren, Ålgårdsläktaren, Sjuhäradsläktaren and Elfsborgsläktaren.{{cite web|url=http://www.svenskelitfotboll.se/sefaktuellt/borasarena_juni.htm|title=Borås Arena Kostnader|access-date=24 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114014845/http://www.svenskelitfotboll.se/sefaktuellt/borasarena_juni.htm|archive-date=14 November 2012}}

File:Ålgårdsläktaren070705.jpg arrangement.]]

The first game at Borås Arena was between IF Elfsborg vs Örgryte IS on 17 April 2005 in the top Swedish league, Allsvenskan. The game ended in a 1–0 victory for Elfsborg, Daniel Mobaeck scoring the only and first goal in history on Borås Arena. The current record attendance is 17,070 and was set 4 July 2005 in a game between IF Elfsborg and Kalmar FF which marked the return of both Anders Svensson and Mathias Svensson. Anders Svensson also became the first on Borås Arena to score a hat-trick in the derby against rivals IFK Göteborg, Elfsborg won with Anders 3 goals, 3–1. The highest attendance on an international tournament was during the Champions League play-off against Valencia CF where 13,148 spectators came to see Elfsborg deal with the Spaniards. Elfsborg lost with 2–1, after a goal by Daniel Alexandersson.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/hogstapubliksiffror.htm|title=Borås Arena Publiksiffror|access-date=24 June 2012}}

The stadium was originally scheduled to be a tournament site for the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, but a sponsorship conflict with Max fast food chain's location at the stadium and official UEFA sponsor McDonald's, plus a contractual requirement for official sponsors to have a monopoly over the stadium's area, and a refusal to close the restaurant led to it losing its status as a site for the tournament. A strange conflict that led to Elfsborg and Borås Arena lost the championship as an arranger.{{cite news|title=Borås loses out in Uefa burger battle |url=http://www.thelocal.se/13182/20080721/ |work=The Local |publisher=The Local Europe |date=24 June 2012 |access-date=24 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004070554/http://www.thelocal.se/13182/20080721/ |archive-date=4 October 2012 }}

2006{{cite web|url=http://www.elfsborg.se/2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217052103/http://elfsborg.se/2000|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 December 2010|title=Elfsborg historia 2000-talet|access-date=24 June 2012}} was the highlight in Borås Arenas young history. The year when Elfsborg received dividends on their great effort by salvaging the club's 5th SM-Gold. An explicit goal from the club was to win SM-Gold by 2007 and this was accomplished a year in advance, 5 November 2006. The association was strengthened at all levels for a couple of years, not least organizationally and financially, with new sports director "Mr. Elfsborg" Stefan Andreasson, President-elect Bosse "Bank" Johansson and two billionaires as external funders. The new highly skilled (and young) manager couple Magnus Haglund and Peter Wettergren, who was employed before the 2004 season, was also of course in the club's big bet. The following year (2005) was also "Elfsborg Fortress", Borås Arena, completed while enlisted old heroes in the form of Anders and Mathias Svensson came back. Memorable matches this season on Borås Arena was at home the victory against Malmö FF (4–2), which many described as the best in the season and where Anders Svensson made the team's single best effort during the season. Another memorable match was the last and crucial one. Gold match at a packed Borås Arena against Djurgårdens IF where Joakim Sjöhage became gold shooter with the only goal which meant that over 40 years of waiting was over for the Elfsborgs fans.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/guldaren2006.htm|title=Guldåret 2006|access-date=24 June 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2561&artikel=1019813|title=Sverigesradio Elfsborg tar guld|access-date=24 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418101802/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=2561&artikel=1019813|archive-date=18 April 2013}}

{{See also|Guliganerna}}

File:Guliganer.jpg.]]

Already in the 1940s{{cite web |url= http://elfsborgslaktaren.blogspot.se/2007/05/vlkommen-till-en-ny-blogg.html|title= Supporterkulturen börjar|access-date=3 July 2012}} there was the legendary Elfsborg chant "heja di våra, inte di dära, trampa di främmatta pöjka på tära" on Ryavallen, at the time, including of a certain young Ingvar Carlsson,{{cite web |url= http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/1337.aspx|title= Ingvar Carlsson en riktig elfsborgssupporter|access-date=3 July 2012}} who later became prime minister. For a few years in the 1970s "Di Gule" played fantastic football and was in top contest of the Swedish Allsvenskan. At this time the British supporter culture retrieved from "Tipsextra" began to interfere and influence in Swedish football culture, with an impact even on Ryavallen in Borås, where the seating stand for many years was the busiest around Ryavallen and Elfsborg. A young supporter section was formed later on within Elfsborgs fanclub and the culture of being on the standing ground began to arise all along with the contemporary characteristic hat and striped scarf in Elfsborgs colours yellow and black. In the coming years, there was a small and disorganized supporter group who failed to make a big fuss.{{cite web |url= http://elfsborgslaktaren.blogspot.se/2007/05/vlkommen-till-en-ny-blogg.html|title= Influenser från engelsk läktarkultur|access-date=3 July 2012}}

1991{{cite web |url= http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/?page_id=67|title= Under tyngsta period växer Guliganerna fram|access-date=3 July 2012}} underwent IF Elfsborg the club's probably heaviest period ever, the economy and the results weighted during the period in Söderettan. 21 November 1991, however, formed a collection of young men, a supporter compound that would become a familiar concept not only in Borås, but throughout Sweden: Guliganerna. Despite continued play in Söderettan and low public interest in all of Sweden the supporter group, Guliganerna, continued to grow. 1990s guliganer became not known for their quantity but for their faithfulness, to always be there wherever IF Elfsborg played.{{cite web |url= http://www.elfsborg.se/arenan/guliganerna|title= Elfsborgs största supporterförening|access-date=3 July 2012}} After the fan bus arrived late for an away game at some point in the mid-1990s, the players looked nervous on the stand and was worried that something happened, after this incident the players had the supporters promise to not be late for the games so as not to disturb the players focus.{{cite web |url= http://elfsborgslaktaren.blogspot.se/2007/05/vlkommen-till-en-ny-blogg.html|title= Elfsborgsspelarna märkte av Guliganernas frånvaro|access-date=3 July 2012}}

File:Ålgårdsläktaren och Elfsborgsläktaren Borås Arena.jpg.]]

In 1997, was IF Elfsborg back in the top tier of Swedish football and that also meant an upturn for Guliganerna, in −97 was the first Elfsborg Tifo group founded, TGD (Tifosi Guligan Divisione),{{cite web|url=http://www.guliganerna.se/v2/gts.php|title=Elfsborgs första tifogrupp|access-date=3 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222203619/http://guliganerna.se/v2/gts.php|archive-date=22 February 2009}} who had a few tifos before the members quit for various reasons in 1999, mainly because they had no financial backing. Year 2000 became the starting year of the great generation change that occurred in Elfsborgs supporterlines until now, a group of young boys founded the current tifo group, GTS (Guligan Tifo Support),{{cite web|url=http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/?p=14741|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418072918/http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/?p=14741|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2013|title=Guligan Tifo Support bildas år 2000|access-date=3 July 2012}} and a more youthful profile became clear among Elfsborgs supporter sections.

2006 was 45-years of waiting over. The club had won national championship which also meant an increased interest around Elfsborg. In 2011 Guliganerna had their 20th anniversary celebrated, the tribute was made in connection with the game against Kalmar FF, the players wore specially made anniversary T-shirts and GTS arranged the most expensive tifo ever in the history of the club.{{cite web |url= http://www.bt.se/sport/elfsborg_i_allsvenskan/guliganerna-star-for-stamningen(3192497).gm|title= Guliganerna firar storartat 20-års jubileum|work= Borås Tidning|access-date=3 July 2012}} Guliganerna also broke during the same year, a new member record of 1155 people, making Guliganerna Sweden fifth largest fan base in the 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/?p=20330|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418082613/http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/?p=20330|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2013|title=Guliganerna är femte största supporterförening i Sverige 2011|access-date=3 July 2012}}

Elfsborgs main antagonist and rivalry is pointed against IFK Göteborg and has been so since all the way back in the 1920s. The geographical position between the cities makes it Elfsborgs only and closest derby also called "El Västico",{{cite web |url= http://blogg.gp.se/balkander/2012/05/04/6139/comment-page-1/|title= Västderby eller El Västico|access-date=3 July 2012}} which also reflects the attendance figures since it is almost always sold out in these games.

Guliganerna and Peking Fanz (supporters of IFK Norrköping) however has a completely own history among Swedish supporters, a history that stands as a thorn in the eyes of other supporter organizations in Sweden. This friendship is based on that Guliganerna in the 1990s invited visiting supporters before the match, Peking Fanz invited back several times and the friendship was born.{{cite web |url= http://www.guliganerna.se/v5/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/el-bladet-nummer-2.pdf|title= Peking och Elfsborg är in som dom andra!|access-date=3 July 2012}} Since this friendship was born, both supporter bases now often follow each other's games, which makes Guliganerna and Peking Fanz unique. Especially between Elfsborgs only ultras group Yellow Fanatics, there are strong links with the IFK Norrköping, Peking ultras.{{cite web|url=http://www.guliganerna.se/v2/yf.php|title=Yellow Fanatics|access-date=3 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219210146/http://guliganerna.se/v2/yf.php|archive-date=19 February 2009}}

{{Main|IF Elfsborg in European football}}

File:Henry Larsson striker and topscorer for IF Elfsborg.jpg.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1961_intertotocup.htm|title= Henry Larsson gjorde 8 mål på 6 matcher|access-date=5 August 2012}}]]

Elfsborgs tenure in European football began in 1961 after winning national championship. The same year they qualified to the current UEFA Intertoto Cup.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1961_intertotocup.htm|title= Första Europeiska äventyret|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg first resistance ever in a European Cup was against the German SC Tasmania 1900 Berlin, which they won with 2–3 away and a stunning 5–2 at home. The second match was against the classic Swiss team FC Basel, which began with a 1–2 loss at home but Elfsborg gathered forces and won in the returning game with 3–6 after a hat-trick by Henry Larsson. The last and final match was against the hard to beat Sparta Rotterdam who before they faced Elfsborg had not lost a single game, the Dutch proved to be too difficult, it ended in a 2–5 loss at home and 4–3 away loss.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1961_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1961|access-date=16 July 2012}} But despite the loss Elfsborg ended as runners-up being the second team in the group and the tournament's big winner was Henry Larsson with his 8 goals and Lars Råberg with 6 his goals.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1961_intertotocup.htm|title= Henry Larsson 8 mål i Intertotocupen|access-date=16 July 2012}} Five years later, in 1966,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1966_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1966|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg continued their adventures in Europe and the UEFA Intertoto Cup. The first opponent was the German team Borussia Neunkirchen, a match which Elfsborg won both home and away with a total of 4–1. The second match against VSS Košice became a very different story, they lost 3–0 away and then crushed the opponents with 6–0 at home, after a hat-trick by Roger Carlsson. In the final group stage match against leaders Vorwärts Berlin was lost with 2–0 in both matches which meant that Elfsborg finally ended as third in the group.

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R82532, Berlin, Olympia-Stadion (Luftaufnahme).jpg in the UEFA Cup 1972, at the historic Olympic Stadium.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}]]

The following year, 1967{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1967_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1967|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg played in the UEFA Intertoto Cup where they in the first group stage match met the German team Werder Bremen. The first match ended in a 4–1 loss away, but the second game ended with a draw 2–2 at home. In the second game, the Polish team Polonia Bytom were the adversaries, where Elfsborg lost in both matches. But in the last match against the Swiss Grasshopper Club Zürich Elfsborg would take a memorable scalp, when they beat them at home with 5–2 after a hat-trick by Lars Heinemann. The return ended in a 3–1 loss and Elfsborg finished again in third place in the group. 1971{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1971_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1971|access-date=16 July 2012}} was an unsuccessful year in the European competitions for Elfsborg, they met the teams Stal Mielec, Tatran Prešov and Vejle BK. They lost every game except against the Danish Vejle BK where they won both games with a total of 8–0, and once again Elfsborg ended as third in their group. In 1972,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1971_72_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 1972|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg played in the UEFA Cup for the first time, playing against the classic German champions Hertha Berlin in the first round. They lost with 3–1 at Olympic Stadium and with 1–4 at home.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1971_72_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg förlorar på Olympiastadion i Berlin|access-date=16 July 2012}}

1975{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1975_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1975|access-date=16 July 2012}} was Elfsborg's worst performing year in European competition and the UEFA Intertoto Cup when they finished last in the group after having met teams as Baník Ostrava, Celik Zenica and Vitoria Setúbal. Elfsborg still won at home against Baník Ostrava with 3–1 at home and a tie against Vitoria Setúbal. In 1978,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1978_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1978|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg participated once again in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and this year was slightly better than the last in 1975, Elfsborg won with a total of 5–3 against Norwegian Lillestrøm SK, and then a win against former Yugoslav Sloboda Tuzla. But Elfsborg could not compete with the giant Israeli Maccabi Netanya F.C., and lost the first game with 7–1 away but managed a 2–2 draw at home. In 1978{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1978_79_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 1978|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg were in the UEFA Cup for the second time when they stood against the French sovereigns RC Strasbourg. In the first meeting, Elfsborg surprisingly won 2–0 at home, but in the returning game they lost 4–1 in front of 31 000 spectators.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1978_79_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg vann med 2–0 mot RC Strasbourg|access-date=16 July 2012}}

1980,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1980_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1980|access-date=16 July 2012}} became Elfsborg best year ever in the UEFA Intertoto Cup when they won their group and became the winner of the tournament. This after they first won against FK Napredak Kruševac with a total of 4–2 and then against Slavia Sofia with a total of 3–1. German VfL Bochum became more difficult when the loss in the first meeting with 2–1 and then changed with a win at home 1–0, this meant that Elfsborg ended up as number one in their group.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1980_intertotocup.htm|title= Elfsborg gruppsegrare 1980|access-date=16 July 2012}} The following year, 1981,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1980_81_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 1981|access-date=16 July 2012}} did Elfsborg participate in the UEFA Cup where they faced Scottish St Mirren F.C. The first match ended in a 1–2 loss at home who then followed up with a draw 0–0 in Scotland.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1980_81_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg förlorar mot St Mirren i Uefa Cupen|access-date=16 July 2012}} 1983{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1983_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 1983|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg would make their penultimate appearance in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, when they stood against the teams TJ Vitkovice, Trakia Plovdiv and Eintracht Braunschweig. It was a bad adventure where they only won against German Eintracht Braunschweig with 1–0 at home and play a draw against Trakia Plovdiv, this meant that Elfsborg finished as last in their group.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1983_intertotocup.htm|title= 1983 ett dåligt år ute i Europa|access-date=16 July 2012}} Despite the poor performance 1983, they reached the UEFA Cup, 1984,{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1983_84_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 1984|access-date=16 July 2012}} where the opponents was Polish team Widzew Łódź, before 30 000 spectators played Elfsborg a draw away against the Poles, 0–0, also at home playing a heroic game with a draw 2–2 and but the Poles advanced furthermore, after more away goals.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1983_84_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg ute ur Uefa Cupen 1984 efter mindre mål på bortaplan|access-date=16 July 2012}}

It would take almost 20 years before Elfsborg would participate in the European{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2001_02_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg tillbaka i europaspel – Uefa Cupen 2001|access-date=16 July 2012}} cups again, after the heaviest period in the club's history Elfsborg was now back at the top layer of Allsvenskan and participated in the UEFA Cup in 2001 after they won the national cup. They stood against JK Trans Narva in the first round, where they won with 1–3 away and then also won with 5–0 at home after a hat-trick by Stefan Andreasson. The second round was against one of the Polish giants Legia Warsaw where Elfsborg lost with a total of 10–2.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2001_02_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 2001|access-date=16 July 2012}} After winning national cup once again, Elfsborg participated in the UEFA Cup in 2004{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2004_05_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 2004|access-date=16 July 2012}} where the opponents in the first round was Glentoran F.C. who were beaten with a total of 3–1, in the next round Elfsborg stood against Croatian team NK Dinamo Zagreb, Elfsborg lost the first game away with 2–0 and then played a draw at home 0–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2004_05_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg ute ur Uefa Cupen 2004 efter förlust mot Dinamo Zagreb|access-date=16 July 2012}} After winning national championship in 2006 got Elfsborg for the first time participate in the UEFA Champions League.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2007_08_championsleague.htm|title= Elfsborg med i Uefa Champions League för första gången|access-date=16 July 2012}} This occurred in 2007 when the first round was against Linfield FC where Elfsborg in the first match played a draw 0–0. To then win at home with 1–0 after a goal by Mathias Svensson. The second round was against Hungarian Debreceni VSC where they won away with 1–0 after a goal by Daniel Mobaeck.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2007_08_championsleague.htm|title= Daniel Mobaeck mål tar Elfsborg vidare i Uefa Champions League|access-date=16 July 2012}} They secured promotion to the third round by playing 0–0 at home. The third round was against Spanish giants Valencia CF, where 50 000 spectators at the Mestalla Stadium saw Elfsborg lose with 3–0 after including goal by David Silva. Back at Borås Arena Elfsborg lost again with 2–1 after goals by Daniel Alexandersson and David Villa with Valencia's decisive 2–1 goal.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2007_08_championsleague.htm|title= Elfsborg vs. Valencia – Uefa Champions League 2007|access-date=16 July 2012}}

File:Lazio Elfsborg 3 0.jpg in Rome, Europa League play-off 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2000705--lazio-vs-elfsborg/|title= S.S Lazio- IF Elfsborg Europa League play-off 2009|access-date=19 July 2012}}]]

After the excellent results in the UEFA Champions League became Elfsborg directly qualified for the 2007–08 UEFA Cup{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2007_08_uefacup.htm|title= Direkt kvalificierade till Uefa Cupen 2007|access-date=16 July 2012}} group stage where they stood against the teams FC Dinamo București, AEK Athens, ACF Fiorentina, FK Mladá Boleslav and Villarreal CF. Elfsborg won against FC Dinamo București with 2–1 and a draw against AEK Athens, 1–1.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2007_08_uefacup.htm|title= Uefa Cupen 2007|access-date=16 July 2012}} The following year 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2008_intertotocup.htm|title= Elfsborg vinner sista Intertotocupen 2008|access-date=16 July 2012}} achieved Elfsborg for the last time winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup by beating teams HB Tórshavn with a total of 2–1, Hibernian FC with a total of 4–0 and FK Riga with a total of 1–0. Which meant that they finished as group winners.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2008_intertotocup.htm|title= Intertotocupen 2008|access-date=16 July 2012}} That same year they also played UEFA Cup last time 2008–09 UEFA Cup{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2008_09_uefacup.htm|title= Sista Uefa Cupen 2008|access-date=16 July 2012}} when it was against the Irish St Patrick's Athletic F.C. but lost surprisingly with a total of 4–3.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2008_09_uefacup.htm|title= Elfsborg förlorar överraskat mot St. Patricks i Uefa Cupen 2008|access-date=16 July 2012}} In 2009{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2009_10_europaleague.htm|title= Första Europa League 2009|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg started for the first time playing in the UEFA Europa League where they in the second round stood against Szombathelyi Haladás as they were defeated with a total of 3–0. In the third round was against Portuguese 2010–11 UEFA Europa League finalists S.C. Braga, as they beat them after a completely win by a total of 4–1.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2009_10_europaleague.htm|title=Elfsborg slog ut 2010 finalisterna SC Braga i Europa League 2009|access-date=16 July 2012}} In the final play-off round Elfsborg stood against classic S.S. Lazio where they in the first meeting lost with 3–0 and then again after a heroic effort won with 1–0 after a goal by Denni Avdic.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2009_10_europaleague.htm|title= Elfsborg vann hemma mot SS Lazio|access-date=16 July 2012}}

Also the year after 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2010_11_europaleague.htm|title= Europa League 2010|access-date=16 July 2012}} played Elfsborg in the UEFA Europa League where they stood against FC Iskra-Stal in the second round and won with the total of 3–1. The third round was against FK Teteks from Macedonia, a team that Elfsborg won easily against with a total of 7–1. The play-off round was once again against one of the classic Italian teams against Maradona's old club SSC Napoli. Elfsborg succeeded after a heroic performance by goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen to get away from the Stadio San Paolo with a 1–0 loss. Back at the Borås Arena Elfsborg lost anyway with 2–0 after two goals by Edinson Cavani who got his big breakthrough in this match.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2010_11_europaleague.htm|title= Elfsborg förlorar mor Napoli tror heroisk insats i Europa League 2010|access-date=16 July 2012}} In 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2011_12_europaleague.htm|title= Europa League 2011|access-date=16 July 2012}} Elfsborg played in the UEFA Europa League for the third consecutive year, and stood against CS Fola Esch in the first round which they won with a total of 5–1. The second round was against FK Suduva where they won easily with a total of 4–1. But in the third round Elfsborg lost surprisingly against the Norwegian Aalesunds FK with a total of 5–1 and failed to reach the play-offs.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2011_12_europaleague.htm|title= Aalesunds FK vinner överraskande mot Elfsborg i EL 2011|access-date=16 July 2012}} The same thing happened the year after in 2012. Even if Elfsborg had a perfect start in the qualification by winning a home game in the first stage against Floriana F.C. with 8–0, the biggest international victory in Elfsborgs history. The away game was just as easy, Elfsborg won with 5–0 and with a total of 13–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2012_13_europaleague.htm|title= Elfsborgs största seger i Europa|access-date=6 December 2012}} In the second stage were the opponents FC Dacia Chişinău and Elfsborg lost the first game after a weak effort with 1–0. But won easy at Borås Arena with 2–0 and therefore advanced to the third stage.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2012_13_europaleague.htm|title= Elfsborg vände resultatet mot Dacia hemma|access-date=6 December 2012}} In the third stage it would be a Scandinavian battle, since the opponents were Danish AC Horsens. The first away game ended with a draw, 1–1, after Horsens received a penalty in stoppage time. But in their home game Elfsborg lost 2–3 and history was repeated from the previous year, Elfsborg failed once again to reach the play-offs.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/2012_13_europaleague.htm|title= AC Horsens skrällvann mot Elfsborg|access-date=6 December 2012}}

(As of 22 June 2015)

A = appearances, GP = games played, W = won, D = drawn, L = lost, GF = goals for, GA = goals against.

(As of 23 January 2025)

• Q = qualification round
• R = round
• Group = group stage
• (a) = away goals rule

{{Updated|2 September 2024|{{cite web|url=http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/trank2015.html|title=UEFA Team Ranking 2015|first=Bert|last=Kassies|work=xs4all.nl|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=12 July 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150712095912/http://kassiesa.home.xs4all.nl/bert/uefa/data/method4/trank2015.html|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Updated|1 April 2025|{{cite web |url=http://elfsborg.se/lag/a-laget/|title=A-laget |publisher=IF Elfsborg |access-date=21 March 2024}}}}

{{fs start}}

{{fs player|no= 1|nat=SWE|pos=GK|name=Simon Eriksson}}

{{fs player|no= 2|nat=GHA|pos=DF|name=Terry Yegbe}}

{{fs player|no= 4|nat=NOR|pos=DF|name=Daniel Granli}}

{{fs player|no= 6|nat=SWE|pos=DF|name=Rasmus Wikström}}

{{fs player|no= 7|nat=DEN|pos=MF|name=Jens Jakob Thomasen}}

{{fs player|no= 8|nat=SWE|pos=DF|name=Sebastian Holmén}}

{{fs player|no= 9|nat=KOS|pos=MF|name=Arbër Zeneli}}

{{fs player|no=10|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=Simon Olsson}}

{{fs player|no=11|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Taylor Silverholt}}

{{fs player|no=13|nat=SWE|pos=DF|name=Johan Larsson|other=captain}}

{{fs player|no=15|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=Simon Hedlund}}

{{fs player|no=16|nat=FIN|pos=MF|name=Altti Hellemaa}}

{{fs player|no=17|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Per Frick}}

{{fs mid}}

{{fs player|no=18|nat=ISL|pos=MF|name=Júlíus Magnússon}}

{{fs player|no=19|nat=TUN|pos=DF|name=Rami Kaib}}

{{fs player|no=20|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=Gottfrid Rapp}}

{{fs player|no=21|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Leo Östman}}

{{fs player|no=23|nat=SWE|pos=DF|name=Niklas Hult}}

{{fs player|no=24|nat=DEN|pos=FW|name=Frederik Ihler|other=on loan from Molde}}

{{fs player|no=25|nat=ISL|pos=MF|name=Ari Sigurpálsson}}

{{fs player|no=26|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=Ludvig Richtnér}}

{{fs player|no=27|nat=SWE|pos=MF|name=Besfort Zeneli}}

{{fs player|no=28|nat=SWE|pos=DF|name=Frode Aronsson}}

{{fs player|no=29|nat=NGA|pos=DF|name=Ibrahim Buhari}}

{{fs player|no=30|nat=SWE|pos=GK|name=Lucas Hägg-Johansson}}

{{fs player|no=31|nat=SWE|pos=GK|name=Isak Pettersson}}

{{fs end}}

{{football squad start}}

{{fs player|no=12|nat=DEN|pos=FW|name=Emil Holten|other=at Fredrikstad until 31 December 2025}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=KOS|pos=FW|name=Dion Krasniqi|other=at KuPS until 31 December 2025}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=SWE|pos=GK|name=Melker Uppenberg|other=at Umeå until 31 December 2025}}

{{fs mid}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=GHA|pos=DF|name=Rufai Mohammed|other=at Värnamo until 28 July 2025}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=GHA|pos=FW|name=Jalal Abdullai|other=at Molde until 31 December 2025}}

{{fs player|no=|nat=SWE|pos=FW|name=Camil Jebara|other=at Kalmar FF until 30 November 2025}}

{{football squad end}}

{{See also|List of IF Elfsborg players|Category:IF Elfsborg players}}

File:Sven Jonasson, former football player for IF Elfsborg.jpg.{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/hall-of-fame/sfs-hall-of-fame/?profile=16740|title= Sven Jonasson Hall of Fame|access-date=2012-07-15}}]]

This list of notable players includes those who received international caps for the Sweden men's national football team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left.{{cite web |url= http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/utlandskaspelareife.htm|title= Utländska spelare|access-date=22 June 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/seriematcherife.htm|title= Inhemska spelare|access-date=22 June 2012}}

The players are all listed according to when they debuted for IF Elfsborg:

:List criteria:

::* Player has made more than 250 Allsvenskan league appearances for the club.

::* Player has scored more than 50 Allsvenskan league goals for the club.

::* Player has received more than 70 caps for the Sweden national team.

::20px Player included in the Swedish football Hall of fame.{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/hall-of-fame/|title= Svenska Hall of Fame|access-date=15 July 2012}}

{{Updated|24 January 2018}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.elfsborg.se/foereningen/organisation|title=Elfsborg Organisation|access-date=22 June 2015}}

{{Updated|31 January 2019}}.{{cite web |url=http://elfsborg.se/ledarstab-a-laget/|title=Ledarstab A-laget|work=Elfsborg|access-date=31 January 2019}}

{{Updated|24 January 2018}}.{{cite web |url=http://elfsborg.se/ledarstab-elitlagen/|title=Ledarstab Elitlagen|work=Elfsborg|access-date=24 January 2018}}

{{See also|Category:IF Elfsborg managers}}

Listed according to when they became managers for IF Elfsborg:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/tranaregenomtiderna.htm|title=Tränare genom historien|access-date=2012-07-08}}

:*(C) – Caretaker

:*(FTC) – First-team coach

File:Carl Larsson founder and former player of football club IF Elfsborg.jpg

The managers are listed according to when they were first appointed manager for IF Elfsborg:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/allmantife.htm|title=Guldåren|access-date=8 July 2012}}

:List criteria:

::* Won at least one major honour with IF Elfsborg.

::* Managed the team for at least 5 years.

{{Main|IF Elfsborg records and statistics}}

• Swedish Champions:{{refn|The title of "Swedish Champions" has been awarded to the winner of four different competitions over the years. Between 1896 and 1925 the title was awarded to the winner of Svenska Mästerskapet, a stand-alone cup tournament. No club were given the title between 1926 and 1930 even though the first-tier league Allsvenskan was played. In 1931 the title was reinstated and awarded to the winner of Allsvenskan. Between 1982 and 1990 a play-off in cup format was held at the end of the league season to decide the champions. After the play-off format in 1991 and 1992 the title was decided by the winner of Mästerskapsserien, an additional league after the end of Allsvenskan. Since the 1993 season the title has once again been awarded to the winner of Allsvenskan.{{cite web| url=https://svenskfotboll.se/allsvenskan/historik/ | title=Svenska mästare 1896–1925, 1931– |work=svenskfotboll.se|access-date=25 November 2009|language=sv}}|name=Swedish champions|group=upper-alpha}}
• Winners (6): 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1961, 2006, 2012

• Allsvenskan:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/guldaren.htm|title=Allsvenska guldåren|access-date=28 November 2012}}
• Winners (6): 1935–36, 1938–39, 1939–40, 1961, 2006, 2012
• Runners-up (8): 1942–43, 1943–44, 1944–45, 1965, 1977, 2008, 2020, 2023
• Division 1 Södra:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1996.htm|title=Division 1 Södra|access-date=28 November 2012}}
• Winners: 1996
• Runners-up: 1991
• Division 2 Götaland:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1960.htm|title=Division 2 Götaland|access-date=28 November 2012}}
• Winners: 1960
• Runners-up (4): 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1959
• Division 2 Västsvenska Serien:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/sasongsfakta/1925_26.htm|title=Västsvenska Serien|access-date=28 November 2012}}
• Winners: 1925–26
• Runners-up: 1914–15, 1923–24

• Svenska Cupen:{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/allmantife.htm|title=Allsvenska cupgulden|access-date=28 November 2012}}
• Winners (3): 2000–01, 2003, 2013–14
• Runners-up (3): 1942, 1980–81, 1996–97
• Svenska Supercupen:
• Winners: 2007
• Runners-up: 2014

• UEFA Intertoto Cup:{{cite web |url=http://www.eurosport.se/fotboll/intertoto-cup/2008/elfsborg-till-uefacupkval_sto1648536/story.shtml|title=Elfsborg segrare i Intertoto cupen|access-date=25 June 2012}}
• Winners: 1980, 2008 (joint winner)[http://www.eurotopfoot.com/uic.php3 Coupe Intertoto 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606205222/http://www.eurotopfoot.com/uic.php3 |date=6 June 2014 }}. Listed are all 11 teams that won the Intertoto Cup, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
• Runners-up: 1961

{{Main|IF Elfsborg records and statistics}}

In 2024 Elfsborg played their 81st season in Allsvenskan from its inception in 1924 up to and including the 2024 season. This placing them on a 5th place of those teams who have participated in total seasons. They have also played top-flight football continually in Sweden since 1997, which currently is the 3rd longest top-flight tenure of any club in Sweden—the longest one is IFK Göteborg, since 1977.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/allmantife.htm|title=Elfsborgs säsonger totalt och i sträck|access-date=6 December 2012}}

The club is currently placed 5th in the all-time Allsvenskan table, "maratontabellen" in Swedish, which is a cumulative record of all match results, points, and goals of every team that has played in Allsvenskan since its inception in 1924–25.{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/allsvenskan/historik/maratontabell/|title=Elfsborg 5:a på maratontabellen|access-date=6 December 2012}} Furthermore, Elfsborg is placed 6th in the all-time medal table, with a total of 24 medals of different value – the most recent was received in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.svd.se/sport/vilt-firande-av-elfsborgs-guld_7641682.svd|title=Elfsborg vinner guld och sin 24:e medallj|work=Svenska Dagbladet |date=4 November 2012 |access-date=6 December 2012}}

The player in IF Elfsborg who holds most club and national records is Sven Jonasson. In 409 games, most appearances ever in Elfsborg, he scored a total of 252 goals in Allsvenskan, which makes it an all-time record.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/seriemalife.htm|title=Sven Jonasson allsvenska rekord|access-date=6 December 2012}} He played in Elfsborg throughout his career, which started in 1927 and ended 1947, a total of 20 years. What's more, the most remarkable achievement is his unbreakable record of 344 games in consecutive. A record that was broken in a most unfortunate way, he missed his first game in 14 years because of failure to receive furlough during his military service.{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/hall-of-fame/sfs-hall-of-fame/?profile=16740|title=Sven Jonasson svit avbröts|access-date=6 December 2012}} He was also the first goalscorer ever for the Sweden men's national football team in a worldcup. It was in the 1934 FIFA World Cup, where he scored two goals in Sweden's 3–2 victory against Argentina.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.se/fotboll/world-cup/1934/sverige-argentina_mtc315566/live.shtml|title=Sven Jonasson första svenska målskytt i VM någonsin|access-date=6 December 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015043/http://www.eurosport.se/fotboll/world-cup/1934/sverige-argentina_mtc315566/live.shtml|archive-date=24 September 2015}}

File:Sven Jonasson, record holder of most goals and appearances in Swedish football team IF Elfsborg.png, record holder of most consecutive games and goals scored in Allsvenskan.{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/hall-of-fame/sfs-hall-of-fame/?profile=16740|title=Sven Jonasson allsvenska rekord|access-date=6 December 2012}}]]

• Most appearances, total: 409, {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sven Jonasson
• Most goals scored, total: 252, {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sven Jonasson*
• Most appearances in Sweden while playing for Elfsborg, total: 106, {{flagicon|Sweden}} Anders Svensson*
• Most consecutive games, total: 344, {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sven Jonasson, 1927–41*
• Biggest victory, Svenska cupen: 19–0 vs. Varbergs BoIS, 21 January 1996*
• Biggest defeat, Allsvenskan: 0–7 vs. GAIS, 25 August 1926
• Home victory, Allsvenskan: 10–1 vs. Degerfors IF, 28 August 1938
• Away victory, Allsvenskan: 12–2 vs. IFK Eskilstuna, 19 April 1936*
• International victory, UEFA Europa League: 8–0 vs. Floriana F.C., 5 July 2012*
• Highest attendance, Ryavallen: 22,654 vs. IFK Norrköping, 1961
• Highest attendance, Borås Arena: 17,070 vs. Kalmar FF, 4 July 2005
• Highest attendance, Ramnavallen: 16,340 vs. AIK, 7 June 1936
• Highest average attendance, season 1961: 14,608
• Highest away attendance, Ullevi: 48 296 vs. IFK Göteborg, 2 June 1977

20px Allsvenskan all-time record.{{cite web|url=http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/a-laget/89/2770|title=Mesta landslagsman i Elfsborg|access-date=7 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418124312/http://www.elfsborg.se/nyheter/a-laget/89/2770|archive-date=18 April 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/seriemalife.htm|title=Mesta målgörare för elfsborg|access-date=23 June 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/allmantife.htm|title=Största borta seger i allsvenskan någonsin och största seger i svenska cupen någonsin av ett allsvenskt lag.|access-date=7 July 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/sportbladet/fotboll/sverige/allsvenskan/elfsborg/article15080989.ab|title=Största seger någonsin av ett allsvenskt lag i Europa League|date=5 July 2012 |access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cite web |url=https://svenskfotboll.se/landslag/hall-of-fame/sfs-hall-of-fame/?profile=16740|title=Sven Jonassons oslagbara svit på 344 mathcer i rad.|access-date=13 July 2012}}

IF Elfsborg top ten most goal scorers and appearances.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/seriematcherife.htm|title=Mest spelade matcher för elfsborg|access-date=23 June 2012}}

League, Allsvenskan

File:Fredrik Berglund.jpg being one of the top-ten scorers.]]

League, Allsvenskan

File:Anders Svensson.jpg placing himself on a 4th place on the most appearances in IF Elfsborg.{{cite web |url=http://www.bornyellow.com/html/historia_statistik/allmanstatistik/seriematcherife.htm|title=Svensson, 4:e flest allsvenska matcher i Elfsborgs historia|access-date=6 December 2012}}]]

{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

• 75 år med Elfsborg, Arne Gullberg, 1979
• Jubileumsskrift Elfsborg 90 år, Mats Segerblom, 1994
• 1961 – guldåret, Mikael Häggström, 2001
• ETTHUNDRA, Arne Gullberg mfl, 2004
• Utmanarna – Så ska Elfsborg vinna SM-guld, Henrik Ystén, 2006
• Guldknallen – IF Elfsborg guldlaget, Aftonbladet, 2006
• Guldregn över Borås, Borås Tidning, 2006
• Stå upp för Elfsborg, Per Samuelson, 2007
• IF Elfsborg – en kramgo knalle, Mikael Hjerpe, Idrottsörlaget i Västerås AB, 2010
• Guldbilagan, Borås Tidning, 2012

• {{Official website|1=http://www.elfsborg.se/}}
• [https://svenskfotboll.se/allsvenskan/lag/?flid=25504 Allsvenskan] – Elfsborg at the Allsvenskan official site
• [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/teams/52344--elfsborg/ Uefa] – Elfsborg at the Uefa official site

{{IF Elfsborg}}

{{Allsvenskan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elfsborg IF}}

Category:Allsvenskan clubs

Category:Football clubs in Västra Götaland County

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Borås

Category:Association football clubs established in 1904

Category:Bandy clubs established in 1904

Category:1904 establishments in Sweden

Category:Svenska Cupen winners

Category:20th-century establishments in Älvsborg County