Football: Elfsborg to Europa League after penalty drama: “Magical”

After full time, Molde led 1–0 and extra time started because it was then 1–1 on aggregate after two games. Niklas Hult got the chance to decide the penalties for Elfsborg and put it safely in the goal and a big celebration took place after winning the penalty shootout with 4-2 in the playoff match. The team stayed for a long time celebrating and enjoying with the fans.

Isak Pettersson led the way by saving the first penalty and giving Elfsborg momentum. All Elfsborg players scored their penalties.

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  • – We are really good, Isak above all, and never give up. I’m proud of the guys. Isak had saved a few before and it was quite easy and I felt quite calm and just hit it up, says Hult after his final penalty.

    After just over an hour, Molde took the lead. After less than a minute on the pitch, former Hammarby player Veton Berisha made it 1–0, making it 1–1 on aggregate and extra time.

    – It’s really impossible to put into words, absolutely fantastic so I’m damn happy and there’s an incredible amount of emotion, says Isak Pettersson, who left the arena to celebrate with his family.

    CUT: Hear Isak Pettersson after the victory

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    Isak Pettersson, goalkeeper in Elfsborg. Photo: SVT

    Ex-Allsvenskan player behind Molde’s goal

    The former Malmö FF player Magnus Wolff Eikrem found himself with an opened ball in the penalty area. Just over 20 minutes later, Berisha was replaced again after a short but powerful impact at Borås Arena.

    Molde had a free position to increase to 2–0 but missed. Five minutes before the end, Elfsborg had a great chance to make it 1-1. Sebastian Holmén pulled a sweeping cross over the entire defense and Niklas Hult appeared at the far left post but pulled the ball into the crossbar.

    In five minutes of added time of regular time, Michael Baidoo had a dangerous position for Elfsborg with a header after a corner, but the ball was angled a bit wide and the match went to extra time.

    – Going all the way is extremely important for Elfsborg and great for Swedish football that we get these successes in Europe, says SVT Sports expert Daniel Nannskog.

    UEFA Europa League

    IF Elfsborg

    4 – 2

    0-1 (Full Time)

    Molde FK

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