Schröder for Queenballers: “You’re never truly ready. You just grow into it”

Felicia Schröder is undoubtedly one of the brightest talents Swedish football has produced in recent years. Despite interest from abroad, including clubs in England, she has chosen, for now, to stay at Häcken. With her goal in the first leg of the final, the 18-year-old drew level with Michaela Khýrová and now has the chance to finish as the top scorer of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. For Queenballers, Schröder opened up about her decision to stay in Sweden and how the competition has helped her develop as a player.

Unlike the Champions League, the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup final is played over two legs. The first took place in Stockholm at Hammarby’s stadium and ended in a 1–0 win for Häcken. The return leg will be played on Friday, 1 May, at Häcken’s home ground.

It was Schröder herself who gave her side the advantage with the decisive goal. “It feels really special that we get to finish it at home, in front of our fans and our families. So yeah, both me and the team are really looking forward to it,” she said ahead of the decisive second leg.

Their opponent is Hammarby - club they know very well. The Stockholm-based side are one of Häcken’s fiercest rivals, competing with them not only in the league title but also in the Svenska Cupen. Unlike facing clubs from abroad, such as Sparta Prague or Eintracht Frankfurt, both teams know each other inside out.

A familiar opponent. Advantage or not?

For Schröder, that familiarity could prove to be an advantage.

“I think we know them really well, and they know us just as well: how we play, our style, our strategies on the pitch. That can definitely be an advantage. We’ve faced each other five times already this year, so yeah, it’s going to be fun. But at the same time, we’re rivals, both teams are at the top, so it’s going to be an intense game, with a lot of duels, I think,” she added.

Hammarby and Häcken also met in the 2023 Svenska Cupen final, around the time Schröder joined the club. Since then, she has grown into one of the league’s standout players.  Finishing as the Damallsvenskan top scorer last season and continuing her rapid development, something also reflected in her new contract.

“I think the first time was a big new experience for me. I had just come to Häcken from a much smaller club, so everything was new. There’s so much I’ve learned since then… it’s hard to pick just one thing. But I’d say maybe the physical side of the game, becoming stronger, and also learning to be smarter in how you move on the pitch,” she reflected.

With performances like these, it is no surprise that clubs abroad — including Manchester City — have shown interest. For now, though, Schröder is in no rush to move.

“For me, especially being young, it’s about making the right decisions and the right moves. At the same time, I don’t think you’re ever truly ready when you leave. You just have to deal with everything once you’re in it, and that’s when you grow into it. So for me, it’s about taking my time, not rushing anything, and hopefully making the right decisions along the way.

Right now, I feel like this is the right place for me. The club, the people around me, the way they support me, and the facilities here at Häcken. I feel like I’m improving and developing every day.”

The second leg of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup final between Häcken and Hammarby will take place on 1 May 2026, kicking off at 16:00.