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Gothenburg in bitter Champions League exit

The Local Sweden
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Gothenburg in bitter Champions League exit

IFK Gothenburg were just six minutes away from securing a berth in the third Champions League qualifying round in Basel on Wednesday night.

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The Swedes went into the game as underdogs after a 1-1 draw at home. But as the clock ticked down in the second half Gothenburg led their Swiss hosts by 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

Robin Söder's second half goal looked to have assured IFK of a place in the next round but Basel, always a tricky proposition at home, had other ideas.

With twenty minutes to go, Scott Chipperfield equalized for the hosts. Gothenburg were still favourites to progress however by virtue of having scored more away goals.

But a hotly contested 84th minute penalty put paid to Gothenburg's hopes. Ivan Ergic made no mistake from the spot after the referee adjudged Hjalmar Jonsson to have handled the ball in the box.

Ergic was again on hand in injury time to put the fixture firmly beyond the visitors' reach, with the game finishing 4-2 to Basel.

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