{"id":25465,"date":"2024-08-30T12:12:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T10:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8b59cb99d94061e91f30334567d60256\/?p=25465"},"modified":"2024-09-09T18:25:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T16:25:45","slug":"swedish-success-in-europe-important-it-continues-over-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svenskelitfotboll.se\/en\/swedish-success-in-europe-important-it-continues-over-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Swedish Success in Europe \u2013 Important It Continues Over Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Friday afternoon, the draw for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League was held. For the first time ever, Sweden has three clubs that have made it this far in the tournaments. This achievement needs to be repeated more often if Sweden is to reach the coveted 15th place in UEFA’s league ranking.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Sweden had an incredibly strong qualifying performance this summer, with three of our clubs reaching the new group stage, and BK H\u00e4cken also gave Bundesliga team Heidenheim a tough match. Thanks to these performances, we are among the better countries in the entire qualification process, which is obviously very gratifying,” says Svante Samuelsson, Sports Director at Swedish Professional Football Leagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malm\u00f6 FF has been drawn to face Rangers FC (Scotland), Olympiacos (Greece), Galatasaray (Turkey), and Twente (Netherlands) at home, while Slavia Prague (Czech Republic), Ferencv\u00e1ros (Hungary), Qarabag (Azerbaijan), and Besiktas (Turkey) await them away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IF Elfsborg will play AS Roma (Italy), SC Braga (Portugal), Qarabag (Azerbaijan), and OGC Nice (France) at Bor\u00e5s Arena, while Tottenham (England), AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands), Galatasaray (Turkey), and Athletic Club (Spain) are their away opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“These are exactly the kind of performances we need over time to be able to move up the UEFA ranking. It’s extremely positive that this has happened this summer, but to reach 15th place or higher and get more clubs into Europe, perhaps even gaining direct spots in the tournaments, we must repeat these efforts year after year.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Djurg\u00e5rden, the Conference League awaits, with home matches against Legia Warsaw (Poland), Vit\u00f3ria SC (Portugal), and Panathinaikos (Greece), as well as away matches against LASK Linz (Austria), The New Saints (Wales), and Vikingur (Iceland).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It’s obviously difficult to win matches in the group stage, especially in the Europa League, but I believe the Swedish teams will have good opportunities to earn points in several of the matches,” concludes Svante Samuelsson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Road There<\/strong>\u00a0
IF Elfsborg and Malm\u00f6 FF joins the group stage of the UEFA Europa League. IF Elfsborg reached this stage by defeating Norwegian side Molde FK in the playoff round. Both legs ended 0-1 after regular time, and Thursday’s return leg in Bor\u00e5s went all the way to a penalty shootout, where IF Elfsborg triumphed in front of their home crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending Swedish champions Malm\u00f6 FF initially qualified for the UEFA Champions League, reaching the playoff against Czech side Sparta Prague. Sparta Prague won the tie, which resulted in Malm\u00f6 FF being awarded a place in the UEFA Europa League instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Djurg\u00e5rden qualified for the UEFA Conference League and reached the playoff round, where they were drawn against Slovenian side MK Maribor. Djurg\u00e5rden won both matches 1-0, securing their spot in the UEFA Conference League once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strong qualifying summer of Swedish teams has helped Sweden advance five places in UEFA’s league ranking, now sitting in 24th place. With three teams in the group stage, there are good opportunities to continue moving up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malm\u00f6 FF’s upcoming opponents in the UEFA Europa League:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At home:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n