Swedes one step closer to Champions League
The Local Sweden - [email protected]
Published: 4 Aug, 2005 CET.
Updated: Thu 4 Aug 2005 12:36 CET
Sweden is a step closer to having a team in this season's Champions League, after Malmö FF knocked out Israel's Maccabi Haifa in the first qualifying round.
After winning the first leg in Sweden 3-2, Malmö needed a draw to go through. But twice the Swedes were worried after Maccabi went 1-0 and then 2-1 ahead.
But with five minutes remaining, substitute Peter Abelsson was brought on. Moments later he scored what he described as "the most important goal of my career" to send the Swedes through.
Malmö will now face the Swiss side Thun, who sensationally knocked out the Ukranian giants Dynamo Kiev. The matches against Thun will be played on the 9th or 10th and 23rd or 24th of August.
The winner of that tie will go through to the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, while the losers will enjoy the compensation of a UEFA Cup place.
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After winning the first leg in Sweden 3-2, Malmö needed a draw to go through. But twice the Swedes were worried after Maccabi went 1-0 and then 2-1 ahead.
But with five minutes remaining, substitute Peter Abelsson was brought on. Moments later he scored what he described as "the most important goal of my career" to send the Swedes through.
Malmö will now face the Swiss side Thun, who sensationally knocked out the Ukranian giants Dynamo Kiev. The matches against Thun will be played on the 9th or 10th and 23rd or 24th of August.
The winner of that tie will go through to the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, while the losers will enjoy the compensation of a UEFA Cup place.
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