How did Djurgården end up in a European semi-final against Chelsea?
The Swedish side are clearly underdogs but they are still capable of hurting their Conference League opponents A visibly moved Bosse Andersson was trying to find the right words after Djurgården had beaten Rapid Vienna 4-1 away to reach the Conference League semi-finals. “I am just bloody proud,” the sporting director said in the end. “Real Betis, Fiorentina, Chelsea and … Djurgården in the semi-finals, that is unbelievable.” He is not wrong. Chelsea, Real Betis and Fiorentina are European heavyweights while Djurgården have two Swedish Allsvenskan titles in the past 20 years. The Swedish side’s previous best in Europe came 70 years ago – in 1955-56 – when they reached the European Cup quarter-finals, having beaten the Polish side Gwardia Warsaw in the only previous round. Continue reading...
