Torbjörn Nilsson arranged a penalty in the Uefacup final in 1982.
But when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, the icon became anything but happy.
– I was pissed, he says.
IFK Gothenburg in the early 80’s was one of the best teams in Swedish football ever seen. The Swedes dominated in Europe, and finally took home the coveted UEFA Cup in 1982.
Arranged punishment
It was a classic team with a bunch of profiles. Or what about Glenn Hysén, Dan Corneliusson and Torbjörn Nilsson just to name a few. And the latter really played a crucial role in the second final match against Hamburg.
IFK Gothenburg had the lead with 2-0, 3-0 in total when the final was decided in a double meeting, and Torbjörn Nilsson arranged a penalty that would be the final nail in the coffin.
But when the referee pointed to the penalty spot, it was not a joy or relief that flew through Nilsson’s body. Instead, it was a huge frustration revealing the icon now 40 years later.
The anger of the icon
– I remember that I was pissed, because I had thoughts of dribbling by the goalkeeper. I would do a nice shot at him and go in with the ball in the open goal. That was my plan, says Torbjörn Nilsson to Göteborgs-Posten and continues:
– But then he drops me and then I get so fucking angry: “Couldn’t I have scored that goal?” I thought. Some people cheer when they get punished, but I was pissed.
Outfielder Stig Fredriksson then managed the penalty in the best way, and with a full 25 minutes left on the match clock, IFK Gothenburg had 4-0 over both matches, and the glorious European success was already a fact.
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