BK Häcken were defeated 3-0 by Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, in a match that became historic for 16-year-old Hanna Karlsson. The young goalkeeper made her competitive debut for the club due to Jennifer Falk's suspension and with no backup keeper on the bench.
A Nervous Day Ended on the Pitch
Hanna Karlsson, a second-year high school student, had taken a Swedish language exam earlier the same day. "I was a bit nervous before the match, but that went away as soon as the game started," she said afterwards. She got the chance to show her courage and footwork on one of football's biggest stages. Juventus' goals came through Tatiana Pinto in the 58th minute, Emma Stølen Godø from a free-kick in the 76th, and Alba Redondo in the 88th.
Coach Elena Sadiku was full of praise for her young player. "I'm incredibly proud of her. I think she has very good control," Sadiku said. She pointed out that the keeper made an important save in the first half and was good with her feet. "These goals we concede are not on her at all, it's the collective that fails," she explained. Häcken had several good chances in the first half, including through Anna Anvegård and Tabby Tindell, but failed to score.
Tough Path Forward in the Champions League
The loss makes Häcken's path to the Champions League knockout stage very difficult. After two straight losses in the league phase, the team must now take points in tough away games against Paris FC and Lyon as well as home fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester City. To advance they must finish in the top twelve of the eighteen teams. At home at the Nordic Wellness Arena in Gothenburg, 3,674 spectators watched the match.
In the Damallsvenskan, Häcken are leading and fighting for the Swedish championship, providing important context for the season. For the men's team in Allsvenskan, which also bears the BK Häcken name, the situation is different. They sit in fifth place with 36 points after 22 rounds and have won two matches in a row, most recently against IF Elfsborg.
Despite the loss to Juventus, Hanna Karlsson left the pitch with experience and confidence. "There's nothing to be afraid of. You have to be brave and play those passes," stated the 16-year-old goalkeeper. Her performance gives Häcken a positive sign for the future in the middle of a very challenging Champions League group.
Read the full report at Göteborgs-Posten
