Carlsson has previously told how she last year turned down a lucrative offer from Italian Inter to stay in Hammarby. Since then, the 29-year-old team captain has led "Bajen" to their first Swedish Championship gold and then play in the Champions League, where Hammarby on Wednesday began with a convincing 2–0 win at home against Austrian S:t Pölten.
I have never regretted that decision, says Alice Carlsson about the choice to stay in Sweden.
Love returned
She is originally from Västergötland, her childhood club is Hyssna IF. But Hammarby has become the club in her heart and she has been with them all the way from playing in the elite league for as recently as four years ago, to now competing against Europe's top teams.
I am incredibly proud and grateful. Now I have been here in "Bajen" for five years and have really taken the club to my heart because they have taken care of me from day one. I thrive so well here, it feels like a family.
She loves the team's fans, and the fans love Alice Carlsson. The tifo before Wednesday's match – Hammarby's first in the Champions League ever – showed it with emphasis.
Proud and grateful
The gigantic poster of Carlsson, who presses down a Hammarby flag in the middle of a large European map, covered large parts of the short side.
There are a lot of nerves, it's a CL premiere. And then you step out and look to the side and see an enormous picture of yourself. Unbelievably powerful, of course. I am proud and grateful to get such a tifo.
Hammarby had hoped for at least 10,000 fans in place, but had to settle for 7,562 spectators. It was more than enough, says Alice Carlsson.
You never stop being amazed. There are 7,500 here and it sounds like it's fully booked. They are absolutely fantastic. I'm just happy that Europe gets to experience "Bajen" and that our supporters get to go to such big matches as they should do.
