Hammarby secured a 4-0 victory against Spartak Myjava on Wednesday at Kanalplan, advancing to the Europa Cup quarterfinals with a 7-1 aggregate score.
Hammarby reached the final last season, where the team lost against Häcken.
Elin Sörum scored twice in the second half to break open a match that remained scoreless for more than an hour. The 26-year-old midfielder opened the scoring in the 73rd minute with a header into the top corner from a Vilde Hasund corner kick.
“Det var bara att gå ut och höja nivån,” said Elin Sörum.
The victory sends Hammarby into the quarterfinals of the tournament one tier below the Champions League.
Second-Half Goals Secure Victory
The opening half produced few scoring chances as Spartak Myjava maintained a disciplined defensive shape on Södermalm. Hammarby controlled possession but struggled to establish a consistent rhythm before the interval.
The opening half’s first real chance arrived when Hammarby was locked in the visitors’ press, forcing Emma Holmgren to play a longer ball that Stina Lennartsson carried forward in stride, and Mari Nyhagen later forced visiting goalkeeper Viktória Opalková into a foot save. A Slovenian referee team whistled frequently during the first half, while Spartak Myjava played cautiously on set pieces in their own half.
“Första halvlek är så där. Vi har en mycket högre nivå i oss och det visar vi i andra halvlek,” Elin Sörum told Aftonbladet.
William Strömberg shared his team’s dissatisfaction with the opening forty-five minutes. Hammarby increased its attacking pressure after the break, forcing the visitors deep into their own half, though Strömberg said that his side did create chances before the interval despite a poor performance.
“Vi behövde steppa upp. Det var inte tillräckligt bra. Vi var inte nöjda med stora delar av vårt spel,” said William Strömberg.
Ída Hermannsdóttir added a second goal following a long clearance from Athinna Persson Lundgren. Sörum then completed a fifty-meter sprint to collect a pass and scored her second by rounding visiting goalkeeper Viktória Opalková to make it 3-0.
Seventeen-year-old Stella Maiquez sealed the final score by shooting in the fourth goal after entering the match at 82:26 when the clock reached 83:44. All the goals fell within a span of 13 minutes.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Match Against Ajax
Hammarby advances to meet Ajax in the quarterfinals following the Dutch side’s late comeback against Malmö FF. Sveriges Radio rapporterade att Malmö länge såg ut att fixa avancemang på onsdagskvällen innan laget tappade i slutminuterna mot Ajax.
The quarterfinal fixtures are scheduled to be played during the first half of February. The tournament continues with semifinals in March and April, concluding with the final in May.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Europa Cup quarterfinals played?
The quarterfinal matches take place during the first half of February.
Who will Hammarby face in the next round?
Hammarby plays Ajax in the quarterfinals after the Dutch club eliminated Malmö FF with two late goals.
What was the aggregate score in the round of 16?
Hammarby defeated Spartak Myjava 7-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg in Slovakia and taking the home return 4-0.