Häcken's Europa Cup victory marks next step in growth of Swedish women's game

The inaugural UEFA Women's Europa Cup final delivered a fitting climax – an all-Swedish showdown between BK Häcken and Hammarby IF, played out over two compelling legs and featuring six goals in total.

Häcken ultimately emerged victorious, edging a 1-0 win away before sealing the title with a 3-2 triumph at home. Teenage forward Felicia Schröder wrote herself into the history books in the process, scoring all four of her team's goals across the two legs.

The final not only crowned the competition's first winners, but also underlined how both clubs capitalised on the expanded opportunities offered by the Women's Europa Cup to make their mark on the European stage.

Pioneers of the women's game

This landmark final was a natural continuation of Sweden's deep-rooted relationship with the women's game – one that is now entering an exciting new phase.

When Häcken overcame Eintracht Frankfurt and Hammarby beat Sparta Praha in their respective semi-finals, they made history. Never before had the final of a UEFA club competition been contested between two Swedish sides.

It is a fair reflection of the upward trajectory of women's football in a country that pioneered the game, starting in the 1970s. In 2003 and 2004, Umeå IK crowned themselves queens of Europe with back-to-back wins in the UEFA Women's Cup, the predecessor of the Women's Champions League.

In more recent years, with many of Sweden's top players moving abroad, clubs have found it harder to replicate that level of continental success. Yet this season's Women's Europa Cup run suggests they remain highly competitive.

Thriving women's football fandom in Sweden

That growth is also visible off the pitch. Hammarby, in particular, have helped drive a vibrant fan culture, combining success with remarkable attendances. A crowd of 17,623 watched them lift the Swedish Cup in June 2023, while 20,428 fans attended their Women's Champions League clash with Manchester City in November 2024 – a record for a Swedish women's club match.

Häcken, too, have been riding a wave of growing support. Their fans packed out the Hisingen Arena in Gothenburg for the second leg of the Women's Europa Cup final, celebrating with the players as the final whistle blew.

"Our average attendance increased by 34% last year," said the club's deputy CEO Malin Fahlén – part of a wider trend that saw fan turnout across Damallsvenskan – the top division of women's football in Sweden – grow by close to 10% in 2025 compared to 2024.

The rising interest in the Swedish women's game has also been visible on the international stage. During UEFA Women's EURO 2025, their fans turned the streets of Switzerland yellow with their fan marches, underlining the strength and identity of the country's supporter culture.

BK Häcken players celebrated their Women's Europa Cup win with their supportersUEFA via Getty Images

A second chance at success

Neither finalist initially set out to compete in the Women's Europa Cup. Both Häcken and Hammarby began their European campaigns aiming for the UEFA Women's Champions League, only to fall short in qualifying.

Rather than a consolation, however, the Europa Cup provided a crucial second chance, which both teams seized. Their journeys to the final highlight the competition's value in offering more clubs meaningful exposure to European football and the opportunity to develop at a higher level.

For Häcken, the rewards extend even further. The Women's Europa Cup winners are guaranteed a place in the final qualifying round of next season's Women's Champions League, but due to other qualification outcomes, Häcken instead progress directly to the league phase.

"We have built something strong together and I know this team is ready to take on that challenge," head coach Elena Sadiku told the club's website. "Looking forward to Women's Champions League games is a good motivator for us to work even harder to develop and build on what we are doing. We will face the very best teams in Europe and show what BK Häcken stands for."

Sporting director Christian Lundström echoed this sentiment: "Every international experience has helped us grow as a club, understand what is required at this level and to constantly develop accordingly. The ambition has always been to establish BK Häcken at a European level – both the Women's Europa Cup title and the Women's Champions League place are proof of that."

All eyes will now be on whether Häcken can turn their Women's Europa Cup experience into progress in the Women's Champions League, reinforcing Sweden's place among the leading forces in the women's game.