Hammarby won the Swedish Cup semifinal match against IK Sirius after a penalty shootout, advancing to their first Swedish Cup final since 2022, according to official match reports. The match ended 3-3 after regular and extra time, as confirmed by multiple media outlets, and Hammarby will face either Gais or Mjällby in the final on May 14, a club spokesperson stated. The match was played at Stockholm's 3Arena, lasted 120 minutes plus stoppage time, and featured six different goal scorers, the club said, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter.
Hammarby goalkeeper Warner Hahn saved two penalties in the shootout, a key factor in the victory. Multiple reports indicate Hahn used a psychological tactic by positioning himself far left to confuse Mohamed Soumah during the shootout, a move that contributed to his success. Hahn attributed his confidence to extensive penalty training during the previous summer for a European match against Charleroi, where he saved ten penalties, as he explained in post-match interviews. After the match, Hahn led chants with the home fans using a megaphone, a club official stated, celebrating the hard-fought win with supporters.
Sirius substituted goalkeeper Ismael Diawara late in extra time for penalty expertise, a move that backfired as Diawara conceded all four Hammarby penalties in the shootout, according to match statistics. The decision to substitute Diawara was pre-planned by coach Andreas Engelmark, as reported by major media outlets. Diawara had been a cup hero for Malmö FF against Hammarby in 2022, major media outlets noted, but this time his introduction did not yield the desired result.
Sirius reached the Swedish Cup semifinal for the first time in twelve years, major media sources said, and aimed to reach their first-ever cup final, according to multiple reports. The team had built confidence with strong cup performances, including beating IFK Göteborg in the quarterfinals with Isak Bjerkebo scoring the winning goal, major media outlets noted. Bjerkebo was a constant threat during the match, multiple reports indicate, and Sirius performed well in the first half, with an aggressive defense and quick transitions, though Hammarby improved in the second half. "Of course we can beat Hammarby. But their team is very good," Bjerkebo said, reflecting on the team's efforts and the challenge posed by the opponent.
I learned a lot from the older players at Hammarby, but I'm not particularly emotional about facing my old club.
Hammarby improved in the second half, scoring through Markus Karlsson and Montader Madjed, multiple reports show, turning the tide after a strong start by Sirius. There were 2,000 Sirius supporters at the match, major media sources reported, though overall attendance figures have not been confirmed, indicating a spirited away following despite the loss.
Several Hammarby players were ill before the match, including captain Nahir Besara and Montader Madjed, major media outlets said. The exact illness affecting the players remains unclear, but it added to the team's challenges. Besara nearly vomited and played through cramps during the match, according to major media reports, showcasing his determination. Victor Lind, a new signing for Hammarby, struggled in his first start, multiple reports indicate, with specific reasons for his difficulties not detailed, suggesting adjustment issues in a high-pressure game.
Frederik Winther played as a center-back alongside Victor Eriksson, with both praised for their partnership, multiple reports state, highlighting a solid defensive effort despite the goals conceded. The teams split wins in their two Allsvenskan meetings last year: Hammarby won 3–2 at 3Arena, and Sirius won 3–1 at Studenternas, major media sources reported, adding historical context to the rivalry. Oscar Krusnell, a former Hammarby player now at Sirius, noted learning from older players at Hammarby but isn't strongly emotional about facing his old club. "I learned a lot from the older players at Hammarby, but I'm not particularly emotional about facing my old club," Krusnell said, downplaying any personal stakes in the match.
Skoglund sees the semifinal as 60-40 in Hammarby's favor, major media outlets reported, though detailed strategies discussed by Skoglund for Sirius have not been disclosed. The outcome of the other semifinal between Gais and Mjällby is pending, leaving Hammarby's final opponent uncertain as they prepare for the championship match.