Hammarby’s Dramatic Comeback Secures Champions League Qualifying Final

In a thrilling encounter, Hammarby IF triumphed over Metalist Kharkiv with a stunning 5-4 victory in the Champions League qualifying match held at the 3 Arena. The star of the night was Cathinka Tandberg, who netted the decisive goal in stoppage time, marking a triumphant return to competitive play following a lengthy recovery from knee surgery.

Ellen Wangerheim was instrumental in the match, contributing two goals, including an equalizer and a goal to briefly give Hammarby a 4-2 lead. Despite this, Metalist fought back, managing to equalize at 4-4 just before the end of regular time. In a dramatic twist, Tandberg's last-minute strike sealed the match, solidifying Hammarby’s journey towards the Champions League, which also guarantees them a spot in a new European Cup.

Tandberg expressed her relief and joy after the game, saying, "It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders... I've worked hard for this, so it's nice to come back and show that I belong here." Teammate Wangerheim and coach Martin Sjögren also applauded her performance, highlighting the support from the team throughout her recovery. Hammarby now awaits a challenging final against Manchester United, who recently claimed a 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, ramping up the excitement for the upcoming clash.