Raków Częstochowa have flown out of the blocks in this qualifying campaign, scoring seven goals across two wins, and they bring that momentum into a home fixture against a Hammarby side that will field a heavily rotated side. The Swedish visitors have struggled on the road, with…
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Sign inRaków Częstochowa and Hammarby FF meet for the first time in their history on Thursday, August 6, 2026, in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. The first leg of the tie is set to be played at Raków’s usual Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków home, a 5,500-capacity ground in Częstochowa, kicking off at 17:00 UTC.
Raków will be without two experienced players for the first leg. Greek central defender Stratos Svarnas is sidelined through injury, as is Polish midfielder Karol Struski. Manager Marek Papszun will need to reconfigure his side, with the defensive pairing likely to lean heavily on the likes of Bogdan Racovitan, who featured in the previous qualifying round. Vladyslav Kochergin and Jean Carlos are expected to continue offering creativity from midfield.
Hammarby have an injury concern of their own, with forward Sourou Kone ruled out. The Swedish side will look to their other attacking options to provide an away goal, a crucial currency at this stage of European qualification.
The return leg at Stockholm Arena is scheduled for August 13, making this first encounter a tense tactical battle where neither side will want to concede ground.
Raków have established themselves as regular competitors in UEFA qualifying rounds in recent years, and their compact Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków has often proved a difficult venue for visiting teams. The Polish side has previous pedigree in the Conference League, and their squad retains European experience in key areas. Fran Tudor and Michael Ameyaw have both logged significant minutes in the early qualification rounds this season, while Mahir Emreli offers a goal threat. A long-term standout, Erick Otieno, continues to shine in Poland and remains a player capable of influencing the tie from the left flank.
Hammarby travel with their own European memories to draw upon. The Swedish club has a reputation for passionate away support, and while their recent European record has been mixed, they carry the experience of facing high-profile opponents on the continent. With the Allsvenskan season well underway, Hammarby’s match sharpness could pose a real test for the home side. The visitors will be mindful that an away goal would fundamentally shift the dynamic ahead of the second leg in Stockholm.
With Svarnas missing for Raków, the home side’s reshuffled back line will be under scrutiny. Bogdan Racovitan is likely to anchor the defence, supported by goalkeeper Kacper Trelowski, who has played every minute of the Conference League campaign so far. Hammarby, shorn of Kone, must find alternative routes to goal, increasing the importance of their midfield runners and wide deliveries. The tactical duel between Raków’s attempt to control possession and Hammarby’s threat on the counter-attack may well determine the complexion of the tie.
With the second leg in Stockholm just one week later, both managers will balance ambition with caution. The winner of this tie moves one step closer to the Conference League group stage, a prize that carries significant financial and sporting weight for both clubs. For now, all focus rests on a tight first leg in Częstochowa where fine margins are likely to prove decisive.
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11Raków Częstochowa
Coach: Dawid Kroczek
Hammarby FF
Coach: Kalle Karlsson
