UEFA Europa League Update: Brann Moves Forward, Hacken Heads to UEFA Conference League

Brann advances to next round

Brann edges out Hacken 2-1 on aggregate in UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round.

Hacken's Victory Not Enough to Progress

Despite securing a win in Norway, Hacken fell short of advancing in the UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round. The Swedish side's victory wasn't enough to overcome the 2-1 aggregate deficit, handing Brann a spot in the next round.

Brann Holds On for Aggregate Win

Brann successfully defended their 2-0 lead from the first leg, ultimately winning the tie 2-1 on aggregate. This result sends Hacken to the UEFA Conference League, a tough pill to swallow for the Swedish team.

Tough Road Ahead for Hacken

Hacken's home loss to Brann in the first leg put them in a difficult position, and despite their recent Europa League experience, they couldn't overcome the deficit. The team had shown resilience in their previous round, knocking out Anderlecht, but their recent form hasn't been ideal.

Stats and Facts

Some key stats from the matches include:

• Aggregate Score: Brann won 2-1 on aggregate, with Brann winning the first leg 2-0 and Hacken winning the second leg 1-0.

• Goals Scored: Brann's Saevar Atli Magnusson scored a brace in the first leg, giving them a strong foundation.

• Recent Form: Hacken's form has been inconsistent, with four goals scored and 13 conceded in their last five games. Brann, on the other hand, scored nine goals in their last five matches.

• Head-to-Head: The teams have shown different strengths in their recent encounters, with Brann's potent attack and Hacken's defensive frailties being key factors.

The match could've been all but wrapped up within minutes if Etrit Berisha, the Hacken goalkeeper, hadn't pulled off some sick saves, first denying Felix Myhre and then Saevar Magnusson in rapid fire. Before the 15-minute mark, Berisha was at it again, making an insane save to his right, giving his team a lifeline after his defence gifted Eggert Gudmundsson way too much time and space in the box.

Seger i returmötet mot SK Brann 🐝

BK Häcken besegrar SK Brann efter en stark insats i Bergen, men tyvärr räcker det inte till för att nå Europa League. Istället väntar playoff till Conference League nästa vecka på Hisingen.#bkhäcken pic.twitter.com/6Ok5BxwuA5

— BK Häcken (@bkhackenofcl) August 14, 2025

As the pressure mounted, Hacken stepped up their game, generating scoring opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the half. Mikkel Rygaard and Julius Lindberg put Matias Dyngeland, the Brann goalkeeper, to the test with some promising attacks.

The Swedish team effectively capitalized on their pressure, converting it into a crucial goal that reignited their chances in the tie. With just seven minutes of the first half remaining, they managed to score, albeit under fortunate circumstances, as Denzel De Roeve inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Hacken's anticipated resurgence in the second half never materialized, despite their promising setup. The Svenska Cupen champions strangely went shotless after the break, with Adrian Svanback's header, arguably their best chance, flying just wide.

In a dramatic finale, Brann almost sealed the win with a penalty in added time. A scramble in the Hacken box led to VAR awarding the hosts a spot-kick. Niklas Castro stepped up, but Berisha's stellar night continued with a crucial save, guessing the direction correctly to deny Castro.

Berisha and his teammates fell short, failing to halt Brann's progression to the UEL Playoffs against either AEK Larnaca or Legia Warsaw. Instead, Hacken will compete in the UECL Playoff Round, facing the loser of the UEL match between CFR Cluj and Braga.