Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
Terry Venables’ side had nothing that night; defenders Stig Fredriksson and Glenn Hysén closed the door, ably assisted by our legendary goalkeeper Thomas Wernersson. I had an overwhelming feeling of disbelief as I made my way out into the warm Gothenburg night after the game. At the same time, there was real disappointment that we hadn’t scored at least three more goals.
As I waited for my friends I saw a Scot selling scarves, screaming at the top of his lungs, “Remember this night!” And I really do. It is bitter-sweet because IFK famously lost the second leg 3-0 at Camp Nou and we were knocked out on penalties. That away game gives me strong sliding-door vibes. What if Glenn Hysén hadn’t been sick and unable to play? What if IFK hadn’t had two goals disallowed for offside? There was a small consolation eight years later when IFK beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League and won a group including Manchester United and Galatasaray. But even to this day I can’t stomach Barcelona, regardless of how wonderful their football might be.
Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
Terry Venables’ side had nothing that night; defenders Stig Fredriksson and Glenn Hysén closed the door, ably assisted by our legendary goalkeeper Thomas Wernersson. I had an overwhelming feeling of disbelief as I made my way out into the warm Gothenburg night after the game. At the same time, there was real disappointment that we hadn’t scored at least three more goals.
As I waited for my friends I saw a Scot selling scarves, screaming at the top of his lungs, “Remember this night!” And I really do. It is bitter-sweet because IFK famously lost the second leg 3-0 at Camp Nou and we were knocked out on penalties. That away game gives me strong sliding-door vibes. What if Glenn Hysén hadn’t been sick and unable to play? What if IFK hadn’t had two goals disallowed for offside? There was a small consolation eight years later when IFK beat Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League and won a group including Manchester United and Galatasaray. But even to this day I can’t stomach Barcelona, regardless of how wonderful their football might be.
Semi-final first leg
2 April 1986
My friends and I used to go to all of IFK’s European games at that time, but the European Cup semi-final against Barcelona at Ullevi was sold out and I didn’t have a ticket. Luckily, it turned out that my little brother’s nanny was the wife of IFK defender Stig Fredriksson, so he got me a seat. I sat alone in a fancy part of the ground instead of standing with my friends, but I’ll never forget that magical night. It was a game that beats all others.
All the talk beforehand was about how vastly superior Barcelona were, but IFK didn’t care about that. Torbjörn Nilsson scored twice before half-time, both high-class goals assisted by Johnny Ekström (pictured). Ekström had the brilliant nickname of Johnny Bråttom – Johnny in a hurry – and he also set up Tommy Holmgren for IFK’s third in the 59th minute.
