The draw was extremely tough in advance.
But Thursday's giant bang at Borås Arena means that Elfsborg will spend the next few weeks on a playoff spot in the Europa League's revised series format.
The Borås team has scraped together three points in two played matches and is thus in 16th place in the table. A total of 24 out of 36 teams will advance to a knockout phase.
In a match where Elfsborg impressed, 1–0 against the Italian giant Roma, was certainly unexpected – but definitely not undeserved.
"Going to give them a match"
Afterwards, the team and coach Oscar Hiljemark were praised by both the supporters and the club manager Stefan Andreasson.
This must be the biggest thing we've done. That little Borås and Elfsborg beat Roma in the Europa League, it's crazy good, says Andreasson.
When the Europa League continues at the end of October, Elfsborg will travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray.
We have great respect for Galatasaray. At the same time, we're going to give them a match too, says central defender Gustav Henriksson, who was one of the best on the pitch when Elfsborg kept a clean sheet.
Sirius on Sunday
Goalkeeper Isak Pettersson is on the same track.
We can compete against all teams. We've shown that now in two matches and we have good self-confidence, says he.
At the same time, all Elfsborg players who meet the gathered press afterwards are clear that the focus now lies on the Allsvenskan and this weekend's opponent Sirius.
We have a match on Sunday again. Of course, we'll enjoy today, but then it's full speed again and it's an important match, says Gustav Henriksson.
25 September: AZ Alkmar (away) 2–3
3 October: Roma (home) 1–0
23 October: Galatasaray (a)
7 November: Braga (h)
28 November: Athletic Bilbao (a)
12 December: Qarabag (h)
23 January: Nice (h)
30 January: Tottenham (a)
The men's three club tournaments in football are now decided in a group stage with a total of 36 teams in each tournament.
In the Champions League and Europa League, each participating team meets eight different teams. In the Conference League, the teams meet six different opponents.
After the group stage matches, the top eight teams advance directly to the quarterfinals. Teams 9–24 meet in a playoff over two legs (home, away) to reach the quarterfinals. For teams that finish in places 25–36, it's game over.
The knockout matches up to and including the semifinals are decided over two legs – the finals are decided over a single match.
