Helena Sampaio's Rapid Hat Trick Secures Häcken's 4-0 UEFA Europa Cup Qualifier Victory

In a striking display of skill and impact, Helena Sampaio emerged as the defining figure for Häcken in their UEFA Europa Cup qualifier match against Poland's GKS Katowice. Coming off the bench in the 69th minute, the 23-year-old Brazilian scored a remarkable hat trick in just 13 minutes, helping Häcken to a commanding 4-0 victory on October 7, 2025.

The match remained scoreless at halftime, with Häcken dominating possession but lacking finishing precision. The turning point came soon after Sampaio's substitution; she first found the net with a header off a corner kick just two minutes later in the 71st minute. She then completed her hat trick swiftly, contributing significantly to the outcome alongside Paulina Nyström, who also scored one of the goals.

Sampaio expressed her astonishment at the feat, saying, "I can’t believe it. It’s so special, so unique. It happened so quickly," and also remarked, "I can still not believe it," reflecting on the surreal experience of such an influential performance.

With this victory, Häcken is well positioned to advance further in the Europa Cup. The team will travel to Poland for the crucial return leg on October 16. Success there could secure their spot in the final qualifying round, potentially leading to an eighth-final match. Ahead of the second leg, Häcken also prepares for an important domestic showdown against Hammarby, which could be decisive for the damallsvenskan title race.

This impressive win and Sampaio's emergence as a clutch player highlight Häcken's strong performances on the European stage and set an optimistic tone for their continuing campaign.