SK Brann’s women’s team advanced to the group stage of the Champions League in football on Wednesday. It is the top and most generous company for women’s teams in Europe. And Brann is the first women’s team to have made it as the tournament is now. In the draw, it became clear that they end up in a group with Lyon, Slavia Praha and St. Pölten. The firewomen listened intently when the draw was made. When Brann was placed in the group, there was wild jubilation. Then the whole team pointed to Andrine Hegerberg, who gets to meet her sister Ada Hegerberg and Lyon in the tournament. – We have met three times previously. There is always something special about it, says Andrine Hegerberg. She is out with an injury, but will work hard to reach the Champions League. – I will do everything I can. I don’t want to miss this. She herself is satisfied with the draw. – We must have respect for the teams. I see hope in this group, it’s almost what we hoped for. Focus on every match – Everyone at this level is a very good team. We have to be at our best, says coach Martin Ho. The coach says it doesn’t matter to him who they meet first. – We have to meet everyone anyway. We have to focus on this game, and then we’ll see how far it takes us. There was cheering around the tables when Brann got his group on Friday. Photo: John Inge Johansen / news Captain Cecilie Redisch Kvamme believes the time ahead will be very exciting. – I see it as a new opportunity for us to show off against good European opposition. She describes being qualified as unreal. – I don’t think we fully understand how big what we are involved in is. It’s historic and really cool to be part of, says Kvamme. Great experiences for the girls, the team and the city But unlike men’s teams who manage to qualify for either the Champions League, the Europa League or the Serie A, and who receive a solid sum of money for participating, there is less for the women’s teams. Bodø/Glimt’s men’s team secured over NOK 110 million for having reached the cup game before the round of 16 in the Conference League. Brann’s women’s team is left with around 3.5 million for having reached the group stage. General manager Christian Kalvenes of SK Fire expects most of it to be lost during travel. – Economically speaking, it does not have much significance. The income is not greater than it will cover the costs we get, he says. To BA, he has described a “zero game”. – The costs obviously vary depending on who we hire and where we are going. But hotels and travel cost money, and we envision a “zero game”, meaning that it will cost us around 300,000 euros to go with the squad and managers to three away matches in Europe, he told the newspaper. – But we can get extra income with the public here, by winning matches. But the big thing is to create great sporting experiences for the girls, the team and the city. From next season, UEFA funds will be increased. – We must appreciate the experiences and create an experience, so that next time we will be able to recreate this type of experience. He thinks the group is exciting. – It is not a given who will be number two in this group. Swedish club lost money The Swedish club Rosengård was in the group stage last autumn. They beat Brann in the qualification. But despite meetings with FC Barcelona themselves at Camp Nou, the whole thing was a losing project, according to Sveriges Radio. – We are in the red when it comes to playing games in the Champions League, sporting manager Therese Sjøgran told the state channel. LSK Kvinner has previously participated in the Women’s Champions League. Then the tournament was structured in a different way. According to Aftenposten, they simply lost money playing their way to the round of 16 final. – The sums of money today are considerably higher than when we were involved. And if they manage to create buzz about the matches, sell lots of tickets, and travel sensibly, I don’t see them losing money, says general manager of LSK Women, Stein Ellingsen. Ingrid Stenevik after the 2-0 victory in the qualifying match for the Champions League in football between Brann SK – Glasgow City at Brann Stadium. Now await bigger tasks in Europe. Photo: Tuva Åserud / NTB
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These teams meet Brann in the Mesterligaen – news Vestland
