The Women's Europa Cup semi-finals are just around the corner. Here are our players to watch

Sparta Prague host Hammarby in the first leg of the Europa Cup semi-final on Wednesday, March 25 at Fortuna Arena, with the return leg set for April 2 at 3Arena in Stockholm. Here are the players from both sides to watch, selected by Queenballers.

The Europa Cup semi-final brings together two sides who both finished as runners-up last season. Sparta Prague’s route to the last four has been anything but predictable. Few tipped them as contenders at the start of the competition, but the Prague side has been one of the most intriguing teams to watch. Their round of 16 tie against YB Bern Frauen says it all — after a 3:0 home defeat, they pulled off a stunning four-goal comeback in the second leg.

Hammarby’s journey has been just as impressive. The 2023 Swedish Damallsvenskan champions eased past Ajax, but their clash with Sporting proved far more dramatic, ultimately decided on penalties. The Stockholm club has long been known for producing top talent, but lost several key players to WSL during the winter break. Even so, they still managed to progress in both the domestic cup Svenska Cupen and the Europa Cup ahead of the Damallsvenskan season, which kicked off on March 28.

Hallie Bergford (Sparta Praha ženy)

The American signing arrived at Sparta at the start of the season and made an immediate impact, scoring a hattrick on her competitive debut. The tall striker quickly showed the Prague club’s scouts got it right, adding another hat-trick in the Women’s Champions League qualifiers against Nordsjælland.

With her scoring record, Bergford has become a nightmare for defenders in the Czech league Fortuna = Liga — and Hammarby’s back line will need to be wary of her too. We also recently sat down with her for an interview on our YouTube channel, which you can look forward to.

Melina Loeck (Hammarby)

Hammarby lost their first-choice goalkeeper Mou Edrud to rivals Rosengård at the end of the season, paving the way for Germany’s Melina Loeck to step in as No.1. She quickly won over the Bajen faithful, most notably with her standout performance in the penalty shootout against Sporting in the Europa Cup quarter-finals.

Loeck is currently on loan in Stockholm from Brighton, but is getting valuable game time with the Swedish runners-up — along with the chance to test herself in European competition, something Brighton have yet to achieve in the WSL.

Nikola Harantová (Sparta Praha ženy)

The story of just 17-year-old Nikola Harantová is one worth highlighting. A Sparta academy graduate, she has quickly established herself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper despite her age. Over the summer, both of the more experienced keepers the club had been relying on suffered injuries, leaving Harantová to step in for the Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

The young shot-stopper impressed, notably saving penalties, and has held on to the No.1 spot ever since. Harantová has featured in every one of Sparta’s European fixtures and did not miss a single game during the winter phase, as Sparta went on to top the Czech league with a five-point lead and unbeaten. 

Alice Carlsson (Hammarby)

No Hammarby shortlist would be complete without their captain Alice Carlsson — a player who truly embodies the club. Despite interest from other European sides, she chose to stay, her loyalty underlining just how much Hammarby means to her. As she has said herself, the club is a core part of her identity — something no contract can replace.

The centre-back is the heartbeat of both the team and its defence. A reliable presence at the back, she is trusted by the coach, her teammates and the Bajen faithful alike. Very much in the mould of a Leah Williamson-type figure, she plays a key role not only on the pitch but in shaping the team’s mentality. Sparta’s attackers will have their work cut out against her.

Michaela Khýrová (Sparta Praha ženy)

When it comes to Sparta, Michaela Khýrová simply has to be included. With four goals and two assists, she is the competition’s most productive player so far. Most notably, she scored a memorable hattrick against YB Bern Frauen, overturning a three-goal deficit from the first leg and firing Sparta into the next round.

Her eye for goal is crucial not only for Sparta — where she has already scored eight league goals this season — but also for the Czech national team, where she is a regular starter.

Vilde Hasund (Hammarby)

A fan favourite among the Bajen faithful, the creative Norwegian midfielder Vilde Hasund stands out for her pace and perfectly timed runs into the box. Her ability to create chances is reflected in her numbers — she recorded 13 assists in the 2025 league season.

Much like Alice Carlsson, she is at the heart of the club. At Hammarby since 2022, she has won both the league title and the domestic cup, and also brings valuable Champions League experience into this tie, having been part of the squad that reached the group stage in 2024.