Hammarby IF eliminated from Europe after loss to Raków

Hammarby IF has been eliminated from European competition following a 0-1 home defeat against Polish side Raków Częstochowa. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the tie was decided at the Tele2 Arena.

Raków took the lead in the final moments of the first half through Stratos Svarnas following a set piece. The situation was compounded when Hammarby player Amin Boudri was sent off in the 54th minute after receiving a second yellow card. Earlier in the match, Boudri had appealed for a penalty after falling in the box, but referee Luca Pairetto ruled that the contact was insufficient.

Hammarby captain Nahir Besara expressed disappointment but declined to blame the officiating or the red card for the exit. Besara stated that the team must ‘look in the mirror’ and take responsibility for the loss, noting that the team failed to avoid the unnecessary set pieces and cards that coach Henrik Rydström had warned against.