Sofia Reidy says Friday’s second leg of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup final will be ‘a special game’ for Hammarby.
This year started very well for the Hammarby and Sweden defender. Sofia Reidy has had many firsts. A debut cap for her country, first goal for her club, and now a European final. The Stockholm side travel to Göteborg on Friday night for the second leg, trailing 1-0.
Reidy spoke to the media ahead of the second leg about the Bajen fans, playing for Hammarby and expectations for the season.
A second leg comeback is on the cards, says Reidy
Hammarby travel west to the Hisingen Arena in Göteborg, hoping to turn the final around. On the second leg, Reidy said,
“It’s a special game. Obviously, we’re down one goal, and all the other games we went into the second leg in the lead. So it’s a special, special situation for us, but I think it will fit us perfectly to chase and really to attack.”
Speaking on Hammarby’s style of play, Reidy said: “We like to play offensive football, and I think we really have the opportunity to do that on Friday. I think we’re just going to take out the good parts from the game we did here at home.
“We have a lot of good stuff that we’re doing, and small changes that we feel are going to make a big difference in the game. So we’re just super excited to go out there and enjoy a good performance.”
Hammarby fans ‘give us so much energy’
Hammarby fans are considered amongst the best in women’s football. The club reports that around 600 will make the journey on Friday afternoon.
On the excellent support, Reidy commented, “I feel like it’s so cliché to say, but they’re really our 12th player. They give us so much energy and we always feel like they have our back. So being down one goal, I just feel like it’s good for us to have the fans supporting us.
“It would mean everything to us players to win,” she continued. “But I think the supporters, they’re [just] as passionate as we are. I think that’s the least we can do to, just do our best, and hopefully we will give them a win on Friday.”
An all-Swedish final
The Damallsvenskan was in the headlines in January when there seemed to be a ‘mass exdous’ of talent from the league. Despite that, two Swedish teams are in a European final. On this, Reidy said,
“Of course, it’s special to have two Swedish teams in the final. But I also think that’s a receipt of that Swedish football is still good and one of the better leagues in the world.”
Reidy joined Hammarby last summer from Kristianstads, and was asked about representing the Södermalm team in the final.
“It’s special when you play for Hammarby,” she said. “You want to win titles, and this is one of them. It would be so special.”
Hammarby Captain Carlsson ‘brings out the best of every player’
Hammarby’s Alice Carlsson is the only member of the squad who saw the team promoted back in 2020 from the second tier. Reidy packed on the praise for her fellow defender and captain.
“Outside of football, Alice is a great person. She’s our captain, and you can really feel that in a group. She makes sure everyone’s included and like you feel really like a family.
“She’s been here in the club for so long, and I think for us new players, she’s really good at taking in the culture of what it means to play for Hammarby. Your whole life is circulated around Hammarby.
“For myself, on the pitch, I think she’s so good to play with, and I really enjoy playing with her. I feel so calm when I play with her. She brings out the best of me. And I feel like she brings out the best of every player.”
The average age of Hammarby’s XI on Saturday’s first leg was 24.1 years old. The club has long supported young players, and at just 22, Reidy is a testament to that.
“I think that Hammarby want to develop and give young people chances, and I think they’ve really done that. I think you have to have a balance between young players and maybe more mature players.
“So that’s perfect that Alice comes in and has played a long time for Hammarby. I really feel like all the coaches and everyone around [us] gives all the young players chances and have faith in us. So I think it’s super fun and exciting time.”
Felicia Schröder: A familiar foe
The scorer of the singular goal in the first leg was Reidy’s Sweden teammate Felicia Schröder. “She’s a really nice person, and on the field, she is an annoying player to play against,” explained Reidy.
“She’s quick and you never know what she’s going to do next. You always have to be prepared for the unexpected when it comes to her. I feel she’s a really good player, very talented and has good qualities. So it’s just fun to play against those kind of players.”
How can Hammarby stop her in the second leg?
“I think we need to stop the counterattacks higher up the pitch. We know that’s a good weapon they have. If we’re able to prevent it even before it happens, I think that’s the best solution to it. I just think that we need to react quicker.”
Expectations for the season
Hammarby have taken two wins from two games so far this season.
Looking ahead for the rest of 2026, Reidy says, “[To have] good performances. And I would say, win titles and win the Swedish League. We have high demands on ourselves, and we think that we can, we can make it. So I would say, win titles and just play a really fun football.”
BK Häcken and Hammarby face off in the second leg on Friday night, 15:00 GMT. The game will be available to watch on the UEFA website and YouTube channel.
