A mighty tifo covered Tele2 Arena's short side when Hammarby on Wednesday evening for the first time entered the Champions League in football. On three large banners, the "Bajen" fans announced that both Stockholm and Sweden had already been conquered – and that Europe is next.
The first away game could not have gone much better.
S:t Pölten may not be the perfect measuring stick in Europe's top club competition, but the Austrian team is, after all, in the Champions League group stage for the third year in a row.
In Stockholm, they had nothing to get, however.
Second time lucky
A Hammarby without attacking star Cathinka Tandberg in the starting lineup – symptoms of illness meant she started on the bench – flew out of the starting blocks and rushed forward towards the opponent's goal.
In the 17th minute, Ellen Wangerheim (Tandberg's replacement) nodded forward Vilde Hasund, who hit the crossbar.
In the 18th minute, the duo made another attempt, and this time it resulted in 1–0 to Hammarby. A misplaced Wangerheim tapped the ball back to Hasund, who sent a pressured direct shot just inside the right post.
Wangerheim had an excellent opportunity to extend the lead shortly after the break, but could not take advantage of the free space. In the 58th minute, she was substituted, and replaced by Cathinka Tandberg.
Tough next week
The Norwegian has been a success since she was recruited from Linköping last summer, and she continued on Wednesday evening.
A brilliant Hammarby attack was finished off when Japanese Asato Miyagawa fooled the S:t Pölten defense with a shot feint and instead made a pass straight through the backline, to Tandberg. The 20-year-old received and pulled in 2–0 – her tenth goal in eleven matches for "Bajen".
The goal in the 88th minute gave Hammarby the dream start they wished for in a Champions League group that also includes Manchester City and Barcelona.
Next week, the team travels to Spain to take on the last few years' top team in Europe: reigning Champions League champions Barcelona.
