The chance to advance from the group stage was small from the start and after last week's loss to Barcelona, it was completely gone.
This evening's conclusion was about two things:
+ Taking third place and ending the season with a win.
+ Ensuring that Swedish football is represented by three clubs in the tournament, even in the qualifying round next season 2026-2027.
If Hammarby had been surpassed in the table by S:t Pölten, Norway would have snatched one of the spots for next year's edition. Ironically, two Norwegians showed the way to victory at Viola Park in Vienna: offensive stars Cathinka Tandberg and Julie Belstad.
Tandberg nodded in the leading goal after 20 minutes, on a well-balanced pass from Jonna Andersson, the defensive veteran who played her last match for Hammarby and will play for Linköping next season.
Norwegians showed the way
A very fine pass and just had to put my head on the ball, says Tandberg to SVT.
Two minutes later, Smilla Holmberg came around on the right flank. Belstad angled in the pass to 2–0.
The Champions League is a dream that all players have, and to get to do it at such a young age is incredibly fun. Even though we couldn't advance to the quarterfinals, it was an important match for us and to end the season in a good way, says 18-year-old Holmberg to SVT.
It was about to become a Norwegian triple in the goal protocol before halftime, but Anna Jøsendal's shot hit the crossbar.
Cathinka Tandberg's brief analysis after the first half:
We have patience, get into positions, we are better, says she to SVT.
Edrud saved the win
Tjeckian Kamila Dubcova reduced for S:t Pölten in the final stage of the match, and with only minutes left, Moa Edrud made a decisive save that saved the win for Hammarby.
Barcelona rolled over Manchester City in the group final with 3–0 and won the group on a clear better goal difference than City. Hammarby won both matches against S:t Pölten and finished third on six points.
Besides Barcelona and Manchester City, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern München, and Arsenal are clear for the playoffs.
