Fridolina Rolfö, the Barcelona star, returns to Stockholm’s Tele2 Arena, just a week after securing Sweden’s place in the European Championships, to face Hammarby in a Champions League group stage match. This marks a stark contrast in competition and stakes, as Rolfö now dons the colours of one of the tournament favorites while Hammarby, making their Champions League debut, are fighting to improve their standing after a challenging start to their campaign. The match is also a homecoming of sorts for Rolfö, who played a key role in Sweden’s recent qualifying victory on the same grounds.
Hammarby’s Champions League journey has been highlighted by record-breaking attendances. Their previous home match against Manchester City drew 20,428 spectators, setting a new Swedish record for a women’s club match and dwarfing the attendance figures of other Champions League fixtures this season. This passionate support, however, was marred by an incident involving an object thrown at Manchester City’s goalscorer, Khadija Shaw, after she celebrated in front of the Hammarby fans. While the club’s captain, Alice Carlsson, praised the fans’ incredible support, she also acknowledged the unsavory incident, explaining that such reactions were to be expected when players provoked the home crowd.
The upcoming match against Barcelona has already broken the previous attendance record, with over 20,615 tickets sold as of Wednesday morning. Rolfö acknowledges the fervent atmosphere anticipated at Tele2 Arena, noting that her Barcelona teammates are aware of the passionate Hammarby support, having experienced it firsthand during their previous encounter in Barcelona. She believes they are mentally prepared for the intense atmosphere, though perhaps more apprehensive about the cold weather despite the stadium’s closed roof. The buzz surrounding the game reinforces Hammarby’s growing presence on the European women’s football scene, driven by their dedicated fanbase.
Despite the excitement surrounding the match, Hammarby’s chances of progressing to the quarterfinals are slim. Their heavy 9-0 defeat against Barcelona in the reverse fixture underlines the significant gulf in quality between the two sides. Rolfö, reflecting on the previous encounter, acknowledged Hammarby’s initial pressure but highlighted Barcelona’s eventual dominance. She praised Hammarby’s efforts, acknowledging their competitive spirit, but emphasized Barcelona’s superior strength as a team. Hammarby’s focus will likely shift to ending their maiden Champions League campaign on a positive note, utilizing the experience gained against top-level competition.
Rolfö enters the match having recently recovered from a thigh injury that sidelined her for over a month. Her participation in both legs of Sweden’s qualifying match against Serbia and a brief appearance in the league over the weekend has helped her regain match fitness. She declares herself ready for the challenge ahead, emphasizing the importance of gaining valuable minutes on the pitch. The match presents her with an opportunity to further solidify her place in Barcelona’s star-studded lineup as they continue their quest for Champions League glory.
Beyond the Hammarby-Barcelona clash, other Champions League fixtures featuring Swedish players are also on the horizon. Several Swedish internationals play for prominent European clubs like Wolfsburg, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Vålerenga, and Arsenal, making the week’s Champions League matches particularly interesting for Swedish fans. The widespread representation of Swedish talent across the competition highlights the growth and development of women’s football in the country. This week’s games, including the Hammarby versus Barcelona fixture, offer a chance for these players to showcase their abilities on the European stage.
