Hammarby are lone first-round Intertoto survivors

Last season, two first-round Intertoto teams made it all the way through that tournament and into the UEFA Cup: Ethnikos of Cyprus and Maribor of Slovenia. This year, neither of these made it past the second round, and there is only one hero of the minnows this season, Hammarby of Sweden. Although the official Intertoto Cup is given to the team that goes the farthest into the UEFA Cup from all the Intertoto rounds, I’d like to suggest a special award for the team that goes farthest from the lowest possible start, the very first round of the Intertoto Cup. That hypothetical award, which remains temporarily without a title … and only exists in my head … goes to Hammarby. Congratulations, or as they say in Sweden, Grattis!

And speaking of underdogs, let me also congratulate Iraq, who won the Asian Cup today. So many in the world were pulling for you - great job.

Category: Europe, Intertoto Cup, Tournament News, UEFA Cup

Tags: Asian Cup, Europe, Hammarby IF, Intertoto Cup, Iraq, Sweden, Third Round, Tournament News, UEFA Cup

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