BK Häcken secured progression to the Swedish Cup group stage with a 2-1 victory over local rivals Utsikten in the second qualifying round. The derby match was played on Tuesday and was first reported by Fotbollskanalen.
Häcken, currently third in Allsvenskan, were heavy favourites against a Utsikten side struggling at the bottom of the First Division North. Despite this, it was Utsikten who took the lead through Teo Sellstedt. His left-footed strike put pressure on Häcken, who fought to find an equalizer.
How did Häcken turn the match around?
Adrian Svanbäck leveled the score at 1-1 in the 68th minute with a half-volley. Roughly five minutes later came the decisive turn. Gustav Lindgren, the team's top scorer this season with 9 goals in 18 appearances, made it 2-1 with a curling left-footed shot. The quick two-goal burst proved too much for Utsikten to handle.
"More relief than joy right now. We got the ball in eventually after some ifs and buts," Gustav Lindgren told Expressen after the match. His goal secured the important cup win. Teo Sellstedt, who scored for Utsikten, was pleased with his effort. "I immediately feel it's a good connection, there's nothing to complain about," he stated.
What does the win mean for Häcken's season?
The cup success comes as a welcome boost ahead of a tough run-in in Allsvenskan. Their next league fixture is away to Malmö FF on October 18th, a match you can follow on our fixtures page. Advancing in the cup gives the team an extra competition to aim for next spring, while they also chase a high league finish.
Julius Lindberg was part of Häcken's comeback team. The victory demonstrates the team's character and ability to handle setbacks, even against lower-ranked opposition. This is a vital trait heading into the final challenges of the season.
What happens next in the Swedish Cup?
With this win, Häcken are through to the cup's group stage, which is played during the pre-season next year. This gives the manager and players a concrete target during the winter preparations. The team can now plan for a long cup run, which may also influence squad planning. You can view the full team's stats and player information on our squad page.
The cup progress complements a strong season for Häcken, where Gustav Lindgren has been a key player with his nine goals. The build-up to the group stage will be a focus in the coming months, alongside the push for a high league finish. Everything is now on the table for an exciting end to 2026.
