Hammarby took their first steps in the European Conference League qualifying on Thursday, where Belgian Charleroi provided the opposition at 3Arena.
Coach Kim Hellberg surprised with a total of six changes in the starting eleven. The biggest headlines were made by the choice to let 17-year-old Adrian Lahdo debut from the start – at the expense of team captain Nahir Besara, who was placed on the bench.
Two even teams
The first half was tight, with a huge chance for "Bajen".
Hampus Skoglund broke through the guests' defense and forced Charleroi's goalkeeper to make a good save.
In the second half, Hammarby took over more of the game and pushed, but without getting a reward. When the referee blew the whistle for full time, he announced the final result of 0-0.
They hardly wanted to play, just get a draw. The referee did not directly help us get the match going. Everything had to take its time, says a disappointed Nahir Besara to Aftonbladet in the match broadcast.
Now Hammarby is waiting for a tough return on away ground in a week.
AIK traveled to Tallinn for a meeting with Estonian Paide. There, AIK had no worries about getting a good result to the return meeting in Stockholm.
Dream start
"Gnaget" got a taste start to the match in the seventh minute. Johan Hove made a precise cross that Bersant Celina met with his head and nodded in 1-0, a result that also stood until the break.
After the half-time break, AIK kept the ball but had a hard time threatening with dangers offensively – until Aron Csongvai stepped forward.
After 67 minutes of play, the Hungarian increased the lead to 2-0 after a long shot that found its way behind Paide's goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju. A goal that also became the final result.
AIK has now given themselves an excellent starting position ahead of the return on Strawberry arena next Thursday. Which AIK coach Mikkjal Thomassen also agreed with.
This is an extremely good result, he says to Expressen in the match broadcast.
