Hammarby’s success – won the Champions League for the first time

A powerful tifo covered the short side of the Tele2 pitch as Hammarby entered the Champions League for the first time on Wednesday night. On three large banners, “Bajen” fans announced that both Stockholm and Sweden had already been conquered – and that Europe was next.

The first field battle could not have gone much better.

Maybe not St. Pölten the perfect rod in Europe’s top club competition, but the Austrian team is, after all, in the group stage of the Champions League for the third year in a row.

In Stockholm, however, they had nothing to collect.

Enjoyed the second time

Hammarby went without attacking star Cathinka Tandberg in the starting eleven – signs of illness meant she started on the bench – out of the starting blocks and running towards opponent’s goal.

In the 17th minute, Ellen Wangerheim (another of Tandberg) ahead of Vilde Hasund who hit the crossbar.

In the 18th, both made another effort and then it was 1-0 against Hammarby. Wangerheim, who turned incorrectly, poked the ball back to Hasund, who sent a shot just wide of the right post.

Wangerheim had a good chance to extend the lead shortly after the break, but he was unable to take advantage of the free position. In the 58th minute, she was replaced by Cathinka Tandberg.

Hardly next week

The Norwegian has enjoyed success since signing for Linköping last summer, and that continued on Wednesday night.

Hammarby’s brilliant attack ended when Japan’s Asato Miyagawa beat the S:t Pölten defense with a good shot and instead cut a pass straight through the back line, to Tandberg. The 20-year-old scored and drew 2-0 – her tenth goal in eleven games in “Bajen”.

The 88th minute goal gave Hammarby the dream start they wanted in a Champions League group that also includes Manchester City and Barcelona.

Next week, the team travels to Spain to take on the best team in Europe in recent years: reigning Champions League champions Barcelona.