It was a rainy and very wet performance at Estádio Algarve. As the match progressed, the excess water led to many situations where the ball simply stopped. The Czechs were the first to get on the scoresheet, with Quadri Adebayo Adediran scoring 15 minutes into the match. However, two goals in quick succession just before and shortly after the half-hour mark, scored by Jacob Bergström, turned the game in favor of the reigning Swedish champions. Shortly after, the goalscorer from Artis Brno was sent off, but the team was allowed to continue with 11 players.

In the second half, water played the main role as Bergström completed his hat trick—a back pass was halted by the water, allowing him to easily roll the ball into the net. Once again, the Czechs faced a watery dilemma, this time at the other end of the field when Vukadinovic rounded the goalkeeper, but the ball stopped in the water on the goal line. Instead, Zebedee Kennedy was able to set the final score at 4-1 a few minutes later. A fully deserved victory for Mjällby.

Text: Dag Solheim