The chance was small but it existed.
Two victories in the final matches – and help from second-placed Benfica – would be enough for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for BK Häcken.
But after a heavy loss at home to Bayern Munich, the European adventure ends away against group leader Lyon next week.
It started otherwise well for last year’s Swedish champions when a lightning-fast Stina Blackstenius – back in play after injury problems – gave Häcken the lead in the 36th minute on Thursday night.
Three minutes later, however, Bayern Munich, with Swedish national team defender Hanna Glas from the start and Sofia Jakobsson as a substitute, had equalized.
Hedge goalkeeper Jennifer Falk managed to reflex save a nod in connection with a Bayern free kick, but the ball ended up with the French national team striker Vivane Asseyi, who put 1-1 on the return.
Just before the break, the uphill became even heavier when Jovana Damnjanvic made it 2-1 for the guests after a corner. And already early in the second half, Damnjanovic became a two-goal scorer.
When the match was over, Bayern Munich had won 5-1 – since Linda Dallmann and Lineth Beerensteyn increased.
– We play against an incredibly good team, but we also let in some too simple goals and it punishes us severely, says Stina Blackstenius to Göteborgs-Posten.
We play against an incredibly good team, but we also let in some for easy goals.
The loss was Häcken’s fourth so far in the autumn Champions League.
For Bayern Munich, the victory against the last was enough to secure promotion. Lyon is also ready for the quarter-finals, after 5-0 away against Benfica in Thursday’s late match in Group D.
In group C, German Hoffenheim grabbed the last straw by beating Danish Køge 2-1 away in the penultimate round. But it is more likely that the Swedish coach Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal will continue with Barcelona, despite a big loss at home against the Spanish club.
Swedish national team striker Fridolina Rolfö scored the third goal when an already quarter-final Barcelona won 4-0 in London – a dream goal from distance just before the break.
– Barcelona’s Swedish striker Fridolina Rolfö.
Photo: Uwe Anspach / TT