16-year-old goalkeeping prospect Hanna Karlsson will make her first Champions League start for BK Häcken. She lines up from the first minute against Juventus on Wednesday evening, a match to be played at Hisingen with a 6:45 PM kickoff.
The assignment comes after first-choice goalkeeper Jennifer Falk received a second yellow and a red card in the dying minutes of the previous round's match against Inter. Falk is therefore suspended, opening the door for Karlsson. The young keeper actually made her debut in the competition in that match, coming on as a substitute following Falk's dismissal.
A Rapid Rise
Hanna Karlsson, who turns 17 in December, has been on a fast track. She joined Häcken from Vänersborgs IF last year and has since moved from the Swedish fourth tier to the Elitettan and the U19 Allsvenskan. Ahead of this season, she signed her first senior contract and was promoted permanently to the first-team squad. This summer she also represented Sweden at the U19 European Championship.
Manager Elena Sadiku has watched her development closely. "Hanna is a fearless and brave goalkeeper," says Sadiku. "She has developed a lot during the year and become a more complete player."
Strengths and Dreams
Karlsson, who stands at 178 centimetres tall, describes her strengths as her height, good reach, stability in the air, and ability in one-on-one situations. She trains daily with established names like Jennifer Falk, Fanney Birkisdottir and Disa Hellwig.
"It was of course very fun to come on and make my Champions League debut, it was nothing I had counted on before the match," says Karlsson about her earlier appearance. Ahead of the start against Juventus, her enthusiasm is high. "This is what you have always dreamed of: to get to play the biggest matches, on the biggest stages."
She has bigger goals too. "I dream of playing in Europe, in one of the biggest leagues, like in England or Spain." she adds.
Allsvenskan Context
The Champions League spotlight comes as Häcken sit fifth in the Allsvenskan with 36 points from 22 games. The team's latest result was a clear 5-0 away win against Kalmar, where Gustav Lindgren scored a hat-trick. Recent form shows two wins, two draws and one loss.
Jennifer Falk, now watching from the sidelines, has no doubts about her young colleague's capacity. "As a goalkeeper she is incredibly talented," states Falk. "I am just as surprised every time I remember she is only 16."
Elena Sadiku sees a bright future. "I believe she absolutely has the potential to become Sweden's next national team goalkeeper," says the manager. First, however, comes the biggest stage yet for Hanna Karlsson, as Juventus arrive at Hisingen on Wednesday night for a match broadcast live. Further information on the squad and statistics is available on our squad and stats pages.
Read the full report at bkhacken.se
