A little over a month has passed since Elfsborg last had European visitors at Borås Arena. Then, the Borås team pulled off a sensational victory over Italian Roma – which earned three points and a much-needed boost in the Europa League's new league format.
This time, it was close to going wrong just three minutes in when goalkeeper Isak Petterson was forced to make a high-class save on Roberto Fernández's shot from close range.
Instead, the evening ended in a new success.
What looked like it would end in defeat – after an unfortunate own goal – turned into another point earned. For with just a few minutes left of regular playing time, Emil Holten scored 1–1 after a low cross from Gottfrid Rapp.
He gives me a brilliant ball. I'm so happy for my first goal in Europe, says Holten to Disney+.
Hult a hair's breadth from open goal
Swedish November chill and a thick fog awaited Braga on Thursday evening.
It didn't seem to bother the Portuguese team, however, which initially controlled the game with quick passes and a lot of ball possession.
Elfsborg, on the other hand, worked their way into the game as time went on.
In the second half, Arber Zeneli was a hair's breadth from playing Niklas Hult through to an open goal. But in the last second, a Braga defender got a foot on the ball.
Ouma unlucky
After a little over an hour, the free kick variant came, which more resembled a classic bandy corner. With a lot of luck, captain Ricardo Horta managed to score 1–0 via Elfsborg midfielder Timothy Ouma, who was also credited with the unfortunate own goal.
After Holten's equalizer, the Borås team also pushed for a winning goal. But that never came – the match ended in a draw.
They're a good team, but in the end, we could even make it 2–1. But we have to be satisfied with a point after falling behind, says Emil Holten.
For Elfsborg's part, Athletic Bilbao and Qarabag await before the year-end, before the Europa League group stage concludes with matches against Nice and Tottenham in January.
25 September: AZ Alkmaar-Elfsborg, 3–2.
3 October: Elfsborg-Roma, 1–0.
23 October: Galatasaray-Elfsborg, 4–3.
7 November: Elfsborg-Braga, 1–1.
28 November: Athletic Bilbao-Elfsborg.
12 December: Elfsborg-Qarabag.
23 January: Elfsborg-Nice.
30 January: Tottenham-Elfsborg.
