The 36-year-old goalkeeper Etrit Berisha played with Henrik Rydström in Kalmar at the end of the current MFF coach's playing career.
When Kalmar met MFF in the quarterfinals of the Swedish Cup in 2011, Berisha scored a penalty and saved two. Just like in the cup final 14 years later when Häcken won the penalty shootout with 4–2 (0–0 after regular time and extra time) against Malmö.
He is Häcken's big cup hero today, says Rydström now.
A humble Berisha chooses to praise the opposing coach.
Henke is a role model for me and all the guys who know him. He was maybe the best captain I've had in my entire career. It's a shame today that we're playing against each other, says Berisha.
He left Sweden and Kalmar after the 2013 season to play in Italian clubs such as Torino, Empoli, Atalanta, Lazio and Spal, but was clubless for a long time before being recruited by Häcken in the spring.
Two months ago, I was without a club and had been that for almost nine months. It was a really good opportunity for me and Häcken. I'm super happy because it was many months when everything was tough, says Berisha.
The victory in the cup – Häcken's fourth on the men's side – means that the Hisingslaget team also gets to qualify for the Europa League this summer.
