MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB – BK Häcken v Eintracht Frankfurt

Another semi-final countdown! In this successful, first year of the Europa Cup and ahead of the semi-final second leg between Sweden’s BK Häcken and Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt, we hear from players on both sides.

It’s an understatement to say that Häcken are heavy favourites, already leading 3-0 from the away leg, including a brace by 18-year-old Felicia Schroeder. So is it pretty much in the bag for the Swedes? Are their bags already packed and ready for the final?

Frankfurt have other ideas though, and with an impressive squad, including the likes of Swiss stars Geraldine Reuteler and Nadine Riesen, plus Aussie Hayley Raso, they are not about to throw in the towel just yet.

We spoke to Frankfurt forward, Rebecka Blomqvist (above right), the Swedish international, who has been scoring and assisting in the Bundesliga across the season, as well as popping up with two Europa Cup goals. And she is quietly confident.

What’s the mood like in the team ahead of the tie?

Rebecka Blomqvist: It’s good.

I feel like we’re on fire and we’re going to put everything out there tomorrow.

We have everything to give, nothing to lose, and we’re excited.

And have you got any surprises you can spring?

No, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.

How do you turn this tie around?

We are going to put everything out there tomorrow.

We have the game against them last week to analyse, and we’ve analysed it very well.

We know what’s needed tomorrow.

And of course, it’s a lot football-wise, but also in our heads we are just going to give everything.

We have a 3-0 – or 0-3 – but it’s possible to score goals, and we know that, and that’s what we’re going to use tomorrow.

If you could pull off a shock victory, what would it mean to you and Frankfurt?

A lot.

Of course, I haven’t been in the club for that long, but I’ve already felt what the Eintracht can do internationally.

And to go into a final with this team and to help them go into the final would mean a lot to me and also for the club.

And how will you cope with Häcken’s 18-year-old striker, Felicia Schroeder?

Yeah, of course. I also know Felicia very well from the national team.

I’ve seen her in practice.

She’s a very good player.

She’s got very good qualities.

She did good against us last week [scored two goals].

That’s also why we now know how to handle her better.

And I think our defenders are very prepared what they are playing against tomorrow.

What do you think of this new Europa Cup and its future?

It’s very exciting.

I’ve enjoyed playing it, and hopefully I get to play three more games in it.

I think it’s a very nice concept.

Of course, we were in the qualification for Champions League.

We didn’t make it, and then we had the chance to play the Europa Cup.

And it’s been great.

Different opponents, and I think it’s just going to get better and better.

As for Häcken’s co-captain Tabby Tindell (top, left), she isn’t complacent, and says the job is far from over.

The whole team knows that anything can happen…

Tabby Tindell: They [Frankfurt] need to fight and score goals, but also just because that’s the kind of team they are.

They’re a really high-performing team, aggressive, strong, so we’re expecting them to come out with a lot of intensity, a lot of press.

Then it’s just on us to take the lessons from the last game, see what we can be better at, tactically, technically, and not be surprised, not be shocked when they come out with so much intensity.

The Häcken Way

Here at Hacken, we all have a very strong winning mentality. We want to bring trophies, we want to bring titles to the club, so that is something that we’re always chasing.

To have that as our main goal or long-term goal is something we always talk about, but we try to keep the focus off of the actual trophy and more of just the day-to-day practice, prepare the game.

And if we do all of that right, if we prepare in the right way and perform in the right way, then all of that will come to us in the end.On the

Europa Cup:

Obviously, the ability to play in Europe and play against other teams in different countries, at a high level is something that is so great.

It’s so great that we can do that even after missing out in Champions League last year, it gives all the clubs so much more exposure to other playing styles, to other players, so I think that will only help drive the level of women’s football in the long term.

It’s also, another opportunity to win another trophy, so that’s also something that is very motivational for a lot of clubs.

It’s still such a new tournament, and we’re still trying to figure it out.

Photos: UEFA, Instagram

Häcken v Eintracht Frankfurt Thursday 2nd April, 18.30 CET, 17.30 BST  Aftonbladet and Eintracht TV+