Hammarby made it to the group stage of the Champions League, even though they went into the second leg with a goal down.
Sweden’s Hammarby played a decisive women’s Champions League qualifying match against Benfica late on Wednesday night. The Portuguese club had won 2-1 at Hammarby’s away ground in the opening round.
The Finnish players once again bore great responsibility in Hammarby’s ranks. National team players Anna Tamminen fended off the team with a goal and Eva Nyström opened as the second central defender.
The joint goals were equalized in the opening period of the second leg, when Hammarbyn Vilde Hasund released by Julie Blakstad to score.
The exciting match was only decided in the second overtime. Cathinka Tandberg scored the second goal for Hammarby and thus the club was able to celebrate the spot in the group stage of the Champions League with 3–2 on aggregate.
Hammarby celebrated the Swedish double championship in the previous season. Currently, the team is third in the Swedish league, 15 points behind FC Rosengård. The difference with BK Häcken is one point.
Häcken will play tomorrow in the Champions League qualifiers against Arsenal. Last year, Häcken made it to the quarterfinals in the Champions League. Helmareiden plays in Häcken’s ranks Katariina Kosola.