A mighty tifo covered Tele2 Arena's short side when Hammarby on Wednesday evening for the first time entered the Champions League. 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 tournament, 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.
It's a team we knew we had to take three points against. An okay first match, but we have more to take out, says Hammarby's attacking star Cathinka Tandberg.
Second time lucky
Hammarby had to start without Tandberg – illness symptoms meant the Norwegian started on the bench – but still flew out of the starting blocks.
In the 17th minute, Tandberg's replacement Ellen Wangerheim headed forward Vilde Hasund, who hit the crossbar.
In the 18th minute, the duo made another attempt, and then it was 1–0. A misplaced Wangerheim tapped the ball back to Hasund, who sent off a pressured direct shot that meant Hammarby's first Champions League goal ever.
A fantastic feeling to see the ball go in goal. It's big, of course, mighty. But most important was that we won, says Vilde Hasund.
Wangerheim had the opportunity to extend the lead shortly after the break, but could not utilize the free space. In the 58th minute, she was substituted, and replaced by Cathinka Tandberg.
Tough next week
The Norwegian has made a success since being recruited from Linköping last summer, and continued on Wednesday evening.
A brilliant Hammarby attack was finished off when Japanese Asato Miyagawa fooled the S:t Pölten defense with a shot fake and instead cut a pass straight through the backline, to Tandberg. The 20-year-old received and drew in 2–0 – her tenth goal in eleven matches in "Bajen".
The goal in the 88th minute gave Hammarby the dream start they wished for in a group that also includes Manchester City and Barcelona. Next week, the team travels to Spain to take on last year's champions Barcelona.
A fantastic start to this Champions League adventure. It's just about continuing to perform at max in all matches, and it will be good, says Vilde Hasund.
