When Hammarby defeated Portuguese giant Benfica, it was clear that the club would make its first group play in the Champions League ever.
I think we've had a good feeling in the team, especially since we advanced, and we're looking forward to this group play, says Jonna Andersson at a press conference before the first group stage match.
Hammarby got a tough group on paper. Favorites Barcelona and Manchester City are included, but also Austrian S:t Pölten, which will be the first match for "Bajen".
Coach Martin Sjögren looks at the opponents with respect.
It's a team that has more experience than us of playing in Champions League group play, they've done it before. It shows that they're a team that knows what it's about in this type of tournament, and that they're a team that's used to winning. They're superior in their league, so it's a good opponent.
Sjögren also emphasizes that Jonna Andersson's experience of playing in Europe is important for the team in matches like these.
Jonna has had an important role. We don't have many with her experience, we have a young squad. It's Jonna who has the most experience at international level, and has played a lot of Champions League at a high level.
According to Andersson herself, she has tried to share her previous experiences of playing in Europe with her less experienced teammates.
I've emphasized that everything is a bit bigger around, and that the tempo is different. It's a bit tougher with duels and fouls, which you have to handle and be able to give back when it's required, she says and continues:
It's clear that there is and will be nervousness. But I also know that we can play incredibly good football matches, even if you're a little nervous. As long as you keep it at a good level, I know that we can play fine football.
Andersson herself says that she, despite the team's young squad, hasn't felt much nervousness before the first group stage match.
I don't feel that I've felt any nervousness in the group. We've had good quality in training, with a nice feeling with laughter mixed with focus. So we're looking forward to the match.
+ Hammarby makes its group stage debut in the Champions League against S:t Pölten at Tele2 Arena.
+ Swedish teams are unbeaten against Austrian clubs in the Champions League (five wins and two draws).
+ S:t Pölten has conceded zero goals in their four previous matches in this edition of the Champions League.
+ S:t Pölten has not won any of their nine latest group stage matches in the tournament (seven losses and two draws).
+ S:t Pölten has a previous win, against Slavia Prague (2022), from group play in the Champions League.
Source: Uefa.
