Swedish Underdogs Djurgården Set to Challenge Chelsea in the Conference League

Djurgården are set to create history on Thursday as they aim for a monumental upset in the Conference League against Chelsea, marking the first time a Swedish side has reached a European semi-final in 38 years.

Their incredible journey continued with a thrilling extra-time victory over Rapid Vienna in the quarter-finals, a significant achievement as it was their first appearance in this round of European competition since they faced Hibernian in the 1955-56 European Cup.

Gothenburg was the last Swedish club to reach the semi-finals of a European tournament, eventually clinching the UEFA Cup title in 1987.

After trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Djurgården overturned the deficit in an impressive 4-1 win in the Austrian capital, aided by an early red card shown to Rapid’s Mamadou Sangare.

“It’s a unique and unbelievable achievement to progress in this manner,” remarked head coach Jani Honkavaara.

“I have faith in our ability, and I’m certain the players share that belief. It’s truly an incredible feeling.“

Key player Keita Kosugi netted a vital goal with just 13 minutes to go, extending the match into extra time, before Tobias Gulliksen sealed the win with a brace.

As they prepare to host two-time European champions Chelsea, Djurgården is poised for what could be the most significant match in the club’s history at their home ground, located on an island in central Stockholm.

“I’ve never faced such a formidable opponent. It’s going to be a challenging game, but I’m confident we can defeat Chelsea as a team,” Kosugi asserted.

Injury Issues

Honkavaara’s squad is grappling with a string of injuries, with forward Patric Aslund and midfielder Oskar Fallenius ruled out, while former Swedish international Albin Ekdal is not included in the Conference League roster.

First-choice goalkeeper Jacob Rinne is also in doubt after missing training due to illness.

“It’s hard to comprehend that we might face Chelsea with a severely depleted squad, hopefully not with just 14 players,” Honkavaara lamented.

Taking charge in December, Honkavaara stepped in after long-serving co-managers Thomas Lagerlöf and Kim Bergstrand departed in October.

The forthcoming match against Chelsea is a far cry from the club’s more tumultuous times in the 1980s and 1990s, when Djurgården fluctuated between the top two divisions in Sweden.

In 1985, they clinched promotion partly thanks to goals from then-loanee Teddy Sheringham, who would later become an England striker.

Financial struggles nearly led the club to bankruptcy during the 90s.

However, Djurgården, part of a multi-sport club often overshadowed by its ice hockey team, is currently thriving and sold out their 30,000-seat 3Arena within just 30 minutes of tickets being released for Thursday’s clash.

“We could have easily sold out ten times over for this fixture,” said Olle Arnell, the club’s press officer.

High-profile player transfers, such as Marcus Danielson’s move to Dalian Professional in 2020 and Lucas Bergvall’s transfer to Tottenham last summer, have bolstered the club’s finances.

Danielson has made a return to Djurgården and has played in 14 of their 16 matches in this Conference League campaign, which kicked off with a qualifying round win over Luxembourg’s Progres Niederkorn in July.

Djurgården could keep their dreams alive of becoming only the second Swedish side to secure a European trophy if they can navigate past Chelsea and set up a final showdown against either Real Betis or Fiorentina in Wroclaw on May 28.

The club has claimed the Swedish league title on 12 occasions, including three times during their ‘golden era’ in the early 2000s.

Despite Chelsea being the clear favourites and a considerably tougher challenge than any Djurgården has encountered thus far, including previous opponents like Welsh side The New Saints and Iceland’s Vikingur Reykjavik, a victory this week would ignite a celebratory atmosphere reminiscent of Sweden’s vibrant nightlife and rave culture.