BK Häcken lifted the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup trophy after a 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) win over Hammarby.
Felicia Schröder found the back of the net twice inside 10 minutes before Svea Renhberg got Hammarby’s first of the two legged final in the first half. A set piece goal from Elin Sørum saw Hammarby back into the game, just a goal from parity in the tie. However, Schröder was quick to finish her hat trick and with it Hammarby’s hopes of gracing the top step of the podium.
BK Häcken led 1-0 going into the second leg, after winning away in Stockholm last Saturday. The 19-year-old forward Schröder had added to her already impressive UWEC goal tally when she found the back of the net at the 3Arena. It was a close encounter. BK Häcken may have come into this one with a lead to protect but in the first leg Hammarby had put on an improved second half showing and were unlucky not to score. The Bajen dominated possession and shots across the 90, limiting Häcken to just two shots in the second half compared to their eight.
The visitors made one change from the first leg. 16-year-old academy graduate Fanny Peterson dropped to the bench, and Vilde Hasund came into the side. Häcken named an unchanged line up from victory in Stockholm.
The Lineups
BKH: Birkisdóttir, Östlund, Luik, Sandbech, Selerud, Sanvig, Tindell, Akgün, Anvegard, Jusu Bah, Schröder
HIF: Loeck, Carlsson, Bragstad, Arnardóttir, Reidy, Koivisto, Joramo, Lennartsson, Sørum, Rehnburg, Hasund
The Action
Despite a fast start from Hammarby, BK Häcken found the back of the net first. Alva Selerud passed the ball from the wing into the box. Pealing away from the defence, it was Schröder once again who found the back of the net, with a finish across goal. It was smart play from the 19 year old, as Hammarby left her unmarked in a crowded box to slot the ball home. It was only two minutes later that she found a way onto the scoreboard again. Anna Anvegård assisted the striker as she cleverly got the best of her defender. Pulling off the shoulder of Emilie Bragstad, Schröder slide away nicely to slot home her second.
After the quick Schröder brace, Gudrún Arnardóttir exited the pitch for Fanny Peterson. As a result, Hammarby fell into their second more standard back four of Sofia Reidy, Alice Carlsson, Bragstad and Stina Lennartsson. The side quickly looked more solid in their usual formation.
Hammarby found their first goal of the final in the 26th minute. A ball over the top from Melina Loeck saw Lennartsson able to control it down the wing. Driving towards the box, she passed the ball into Renhberg in the centre, who headed it home from close range. Peterson quickly forced Birkisdóttir into a save minutes later as the youngster tried to send a shot across the goal.
Both teams had a few more shots in the second half. Loeck was forced into a couple of saves. For the most part, Hammarby dominated possession, with the hosts happy to sit off with their two goal aggregate cushion.
Hammarby were the quickest out of the blocks in the second half. Sørum headed in their second of the game from a corner. The looping ball from Koivisto evaded everyone in the centre of the box before finding the Norwegian at the far post.
But hope for Hammarby was fleeting, Schröder completed her hat trick in the second half. Smart play with Anvegård again, saw her unmarked bursting into the box. A lovely finish was too much for Loeck and saw the striker going home with the match ball.
The game became quite end to end after Schröder’s third goal. Hammarby were pushing to close down the goal difference but struggled against an assured Häcken backline. Häcken had attempts to finish the game off but also failed to hold onto the ball for too long to make something happen.
Hammarby continued to push as the clock struck down. As 90 hit, Loeck even went up as Hammarby had a series of corners to try and score another and apply pressure on BK Häcken. But it was too late and with the final whistle, BK Häcken were crowned the inaugural winners of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup.
BK Häcken Player Ratings
GK: Fanney Birkisdóttir – 7/10 – Should’ve done better for the opening Hammarby goal. Otherwise made some good saves.
RB: Emma Östlund – 7/10 – The defender, who can also play centre back had some good moments.
CB: Aivi Luik – 7/10 – Positive performance.
CB: Stine Sandbech – 7/10 – Good in spells.
LB: Alva Selerud – 7.5/10 – Good assist for the opener from Selerud.
CM: Pernille Sanvig – 6.5/10 – Struggled against Hammarby’s dominant midfield and style.
CM:Tabitha Tindell – 6.5/10 – Struggled in this one like her centre midfield partner.
RW: Nesrin Akgün – 6/10 – Good in places but did not have much impact on the game.
AM: Anna Anvegard – 8/10 – Two clever assists to Schröder.
LW: Monica Jusu Bah – 7/10 – Had a good game, moved to left back at half time where she did well to mark Sørum/Lennartsson.
ST: Felicia Schröder – 10/10 – Hat trick final hero.
SUBS
Themla Karen Pálmadóttir (Alva Serelun, 46′) – 6/10 – A solid performance.
Lisa Löwing (Emma Östlund 77′) – N/A –
Paulina Nyström (Pernille Sanvig 77′) – N/A –
Laney Matriano (Anna Anvegård 86′) – N/A –
Hanna Karlsson (Felicia Schröder 98′) – N/A –
Hammarby Player Ratings
GK: Melina Loeck – 7/10 – Should have done better for the second goal. Otherwise some good saves.
RWB: Sofia Reidy – 7/10 – Some good 1v1 defending but didn’t have much to do when Hammarby were in possession.
CB: Alice Carlsson – 7/10 – Some good balls into midfield to start attacks and good defending against Häcken’s strong attack.
CB: Emilie Bragstad– 7/10 – More assured in the back four after 15 minutes. Potentially could have done better for the second Schröder goal.
CB: Guðrún Arnardóttir – N/A – Subbed off after 15 minutes.
LWB: Stina Lennartsson – 8/10 – Beautiful assist for Hammarby’s opener.
CM: Vilma Koivisto – 8/10 – Brilliant ball for Hammarby’s second. Better attacking after going into the back four.
CM: Emilie Joramo – 8.5/10 – Dominated the midfield for much of the game. Made it really hard for the Häcken players to get a hold of the game.
RW: Elin Sørum – 7.5/10 – Well played set piece for Hammarby’s second. Slightly less imposing in open play.
ST: Svea Rehnberg – 7/10 – Smart header to Hammarby back into the tie. Potentially should have done better as the main striker.
LW – Vilde Hasund – 6/10 – Some good moments but otherwise a largely forgettable game.
SUBS:
Fanny Peterson (Arnardóttir 15′) – 6/10 – Some bright spells after being subbed on.
Hannah Sjödhal (Svea Rehnberg 85′) – N/A –
Athinna Lundgren (Vilma Koivisto 85′) – N/A –
Bea Sprund (Fanny Peterson 90′) – N/A –
