Gothenburg, Sweden – BK Häcken enters Sunday’s Damallsvenskan opener riding a wave of momentum, having already secured a spot in the Swedish Cup final and taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first leg of their Women’s Europa Cup semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt. The team boasts an impressive seven wins from seven matches, with a remarkable goal difference of 34-2. But for head coach Elena Sadiku, navigating the demands of multiple competitions isn’t about tactical tweaks. it’s about understanding her players.
“I have to constantly assess the players’ mental and physical load, not just focus on the tactical aspects,” Sadiku explained. “I require to take those impressions into account, especially in such an intense period. And at the same time, emphasize what I think is most important.”
Häcken’s strong start to the year is built on a foundation of talent, particularly the dynamic duo of Monica Jusu Bah and Felicia Schröder. Sadiku emphasized the importance of their contributions both on and off the pitch.
“they are two people who bring tremendous energy to the team, whether through laughter, dancing, or whatever,” Sadiku said. “They have a decent relationship with each other, and I have a good relationship with them. They are fantastic people, and when they are doing well, I know they will perform well. They have high ambitions, and we are constantly working on balancing the details so they are ready to take the next step.”
A recent glimpse into the team’s atmosphere revealed Jusu Bah and Schröder spontaneously breaking into dance in a hallway, prompting a playful rebuke from Sadiku: “Girls, you can’t be dancing up here!” The moment underscored the positive environment Sadiku has cultivated.
“They have very specific qualities that make them stand out in the Damallsvenskan, but also make them very good in Europe,” Sadiku continued. “But they could never do what they do without their teammates. We’ve built a way of working that allows them to score most of the goals, but it’s also important to say that we are a unit.”
Sadiku is fully supportive of Jusu Bah and Schröder’s potential moves to bigger clubs. “From day one, I told them I would make our environment here better so they are ready to take the next step. If there’s one thing I want in my coaching career, it’s to be part of players’ journeys. When I spot players succeed, I love my job. So, if they are ready to depart this summer, I will be happy and proud for them. I will only congratulate them.”
Despite the impressive 34-2 goal difference and an undefeated record under Sadiku, the coach isn’t letting success go to her head. She acknowledges that external opinions exist, but chooses to focus on what she knows to be true.
“We were behind against Djurgården but came back to win 3-1. In that match, they were the favorites, according to people. They had won 1-0 over Alingsås, 1-0 against BP, and 4-2 against Norrköping. Then I thought, ‘Okay, that’s a motivator for us.’ Let people talk, and we’ll show it on the pitch.”
Sadiku admits there’s been plenty of talk surrounding her team. “I’ve heard things, but it’s just fun when people talk. But to have a goal difference of 34-2 with a relatively new team, when we have seven players out and seven new ones in… we have players who didn’t even play last season. People have barely talked about Jennifer Falk, a very important player for Häcken, being gone. Then I realize we’ve come a long way as a team. People have probably forgotten about that.”
When asked what criticisms she’s been hearing, Sadiku responded, “That we haven’t impressed, that we haven’t done this or that. But 34-2 speaks for itself. Let them talk, I feel. I know we are in a process and have a lot to build on. At the same time, I know it’s looked patchy at times, but we’ve had to rotate a lot. A lot has happened in the first few months, and I’m proud of what we’ve done. So, people can continue to talk, it’s just fun. We’ll focus on our game.”
The 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of the Women’s Europa Cup semi-final was particularly satisfying, but Sadiku remains unfazed by external validation. “I don’t care about that, I let people talk. Because I know where the team stands, that’s the most important thing. And I’ve been an expert myself and say what I want. I just think it’s fun that people are talking when we have 34-2 so far in our competitive matches.”
Media and fellow coaches are already tipping Häcken to defend their SM-gold (Swedish Championship) title. Sadiku shares that confidence, identifying Hammarby and Malmö FF as their main rivals. “Looking at the pre-season, Hammarby might be the biggest competitor, but the fact that Malmö finished third in their Swedish Cup group doesn’t necessarily mean much in the Damallsvenskan.”
Häcken has a chance at a remarkable treble this year – the Damallsvenskan title, the Swedish Cup, and the Women’s Europa Cup. When asked which title she would prefer, Sadiku didn’t hesitate. “All three, or?” she said with a smile. “It’s silly to choose. Winning titles with this team would mean so much, winning all three would be magical.”
Though, Sadiku acknowledges the biggest challenge facing her team is the demanding schedule. “Now, ahead of the premiere against BP, I need to help the players switch gears after the tension of this week’s match against Frankfurt, and after BP, we need to switch gears again for Frankfurt. We also need to uncover a balance in rotation, because if we rotate too much, the relationships on the pitch can become disjointed. That’s the biggest challenge for us right now.”
Häcken’s Damallsvenskan campaign kicks off on Sunday against BP. The team will then quickly turn their attention back to the second leg of their Women’s Europa Cup semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt. The pressure is on, but Elena Sadiku and her team appear ready to embrace the challenge.
Next Up: BK Häcken will face BP in their Damallsvenskan season opener on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Following that, they will travel to Frankfurt for the second leg of their Women’s Europa Cup semi-final. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage.
What do you think? Can Häcken pull off the treble? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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