Greatest European Night

My Greatest European Night

IFK fan Ola Billger has bitter-sweet memories of arguably his side’s greatest ever game

Issue 12

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

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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.

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

Greatest European Night

My Greatest European Night

IFK fan Ola Billger has bitter-sweet memories of arguably his side’s greatest ever game

Text Link

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

Read the full story
Sign up now to get access to this and every premium feature on Champions Journal. You will also get access to member-only competitions and offers. And you get all of that completely free!

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.

IFK Göteborg 3-0 Barcelona

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. 

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