Aberdeen – Haecken

Swedish champion to reach Europa League group stage

Before the first meeting of the rivals in Gothenburg, the hosts were considered by bookmakers as clear favourites. Of course, the Swedish champion played at home against a club in whose championship only Rangers and Celtic should be considered. In the middle of each of the halves, the Allsvenskan representative scored a goal and prepared to play to keep the score, but there were events that disproved the pre-match calculations of bookmakers and shocked the Swedish fans. Aberdeen managed to score goals in the 75th and 79th minutes, and almost pulled out a sensational victory in the penalty time, but the referee cancelled their third goal. The final score of the first meeting 2-2 made the bookmakers reckon with the character of Aberdeen's players. Before the return match at Pittodrie Stadium, both opponents can be bet on with equal odds. Aberdeen under the leadership of Barry Robson last season took third place in the Scottish Championship. For clubs not related to the capital of the country, this in the elite division is comparable to some "consolation title". Before the start of the new season, the team was not particularly active on the transfer market, and the championship began with a series of three matches without victories. Aberdeen's only success in August was a League Cup victory over lowly League One side Stirling. Hecken qualified for the Europa League from the Champions League. In qualifying for the elite European tournament, Hecken defeated New Saints in both the first and second meetings with a total score of 5:1. However, in the second round, the team from Gothenburg finished their way into the group stage of the Champions League. On its way stood the Faroese Klaksvik, which this year is like a bone in the throat of the champions of the mid-table countries of European football. The Wasps drew 0-0 in the Faroes and lost on Swedish soil in a penalty shootout. In the Europa League qualification Hecken "dragged through" the third round, defeating Zalgiris in two games with a total score of 8:1. In the Allsvenskan, the Gothenburg club is in tone and fighting for the top spot. Despite the defeat in the derby on Sunday, Hecken are showing a more convincing level of play than their upcoming opponent. With the right attitude, the Swedish champions will reach the Europa League group stage.