Djurgarden are aiming for a historic upset as they prepare to take on Chelsea in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League semi-final — a match that marks the club’s biggest-ever European fixture and Sweden’s first appearance in a continental semi-final since 1987.
The Stockholm-based side booked their place in the final four with a remarkable extra-time win over Rapid Vienna, overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a stunning 4-1 victory in Austria. It was Djurgarden’s first quarter-final in European competition since they lost to Hibernian in the 1955-56 European Cup.
The last Swedish club to reach this stage was IFK Gothenburg, who went on to win the 1987 UEFA Cup.
Against Rapid, Djurgarden benefitted from an early red card for Mamadou Sangare and drew level on aggregate through teenage forward Keita Kosugi. Norwegian midfielder Tobias Gulliksen then fired two goals in extra time to seal the tie.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime feeling — almost impossible to believe,” said coach Jani Honkavaara. “But we believed, and the players believed too.”
Now, the Swedish side face their most daunting task yet — a semi-final showdown with two-time Champions League winners Chelsea at their 3Arena home in central Stockholm.
For 19-year-old Kosugi, the opportunity is both exciting and daunting: “I’ve never played a team like this. It’s going to be tough, but as a team, we can beat Chelsea.”
Djurgarden’s preparations, however, are complicated by a mounting injury list. Striker Patric Aslund and midfielder Oskar Fallenius remain sidelined, while veteran Albin Ekdal is unavailable due to not being registered in the Conference League squad. First-choice goalkeeper Jacob Rinne may also miss the tie after falling ill earlier this week.
Honkavaara, who only took charge in December after a coaching reshuffle, admitted: “It’s hard to believe we might face Chelsea with as few as 14 available players.”
Thursday’s clash is a far cry from the club’s turbulent past. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, Djurgarden bounced between Sweden’s top two divisions and even flirted with financial ruin in the 1990s. One of their promotions in 1985 was aided by a young Teddy Sheringham, then on loan from Millwall.
These days, Djurgarden are thriving again, both on and off the pitch. The club sold out its 30,000-seat stadium in just 30 minutes for the Chelsea game. “We could have sold 10 times that amount,” said club spokesperson Olle Arnell.
Recent player sales, including Marcus Danielson’s 2020 transfer to China and Lucas Bergvall’s move to Tottenham, have helped stabilise the finances. Danielson is now back with the club and has played a vital role in their Conference League run, which began in the second qualifying round against Luxembourg’s Progrès Niederkorn last July.
A win over Chelsea would leave Djurgarden one game away from a first-ever European final and a chance to become only the second Swedish side to lift a continental trophy. The final will take place in Wroclaw on 28 May, against either Real Betis or Fiorentina.
Though Chelsea remain overwhelming favourites, Djurgarden’s fairytale campaign and underdog spirit have captured attention — and another shock win would surely spark wild celebrations for a club long associated with Sweden’s vibrant nightlife scene.
