Ellen Wangerheim could have given Hammarby a sensational start away against the reigning Champions League champions. When Barcelona's Ingrid Syrstad Engen fumbled with the ball, Wangerheim got a free shot almost directly after the kickoff – but missed the chance.
45 minutes later, Barcelona had decided the match.
It's incredibly tough, admitted Hammarby's team captain Alice Carlsson to SVT during the halftime break regarding the 0-3 deficit.
But I still want to say that we're doing well, we're getting to some good positions. We could have started the match incredibly well, with a free shot being the first thing that happens. But it's tough out there.
It would get worse
Wangerheim's chance was one of many fine opportunities for Hammarby in the first half. But the sharpness was lacking, and with such a star-studded eleven on the other side, the ineffectiveness became directly decisive.
Caroline Graham Hansen rolled in 1-0 in the tenth minute, Clàudia Pina set 2-0 with a pass from Graham Hansen in the 24th. And Alexia Putellas nodded in the third just before halftime, on a well-placed pass from Patri Guijarro.
We're meeting a world-class team. But I'm very pleased with our first half. We created four really good chances. But to hang in there in a match like this, you have to score on at least two of them. Then it was really tough to concede 0-3 at the end of the half. And in the second half, we were completely outclassed, says Hammarby's coach Martin Sjögren in SVT's broadcast.
Yes, unfortunately for Hammarby – who started the Champions League with a win against S:t Pölten last week – it got even worse after halftime.
Tough away crowd
The dedicated Hammarby fans kept their spirits up impressively throughout the match – but their mood didn't reflect the events on the pitch.
Mapi León nodded in 4-0 in the 53rd minute. Clàudia Pina scored her second goal of the evening five minutes later, beautifully set up by Aitana Bonmatí. In the 72nd minute, Ewa Pajor tapped in 6-0 into an open goal after Graham Hansen had rolled up Hammarby's defense, and a couple of minutes later, the Norwegian scored 7-0 herself.
Not even that was the end.
Substitute Esmee Brugts scored 8-0, and when Barcelona was then awarded a penalty, the team's Swedish national team star Fridolina Rolfö stepped forward and dunked in 9-0.
Tuesday, November 12, 21.00: Manchester City (a).
Thursday, November 21, 18.45: Manchester City (h).
Thursday, December 12, 21.00: Barcelona (a).
Wednesday, December 18, 18.45: S:t Pölten (a).
The top two teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals.
