UWCL: Emma Kullberg ready for special BK Häcken reunion as Inter make Champions League history

UWCL: Emma Kullberg ready for special BK Häcken reunion as Inter make Champions League history Inter will make history on Tuesday as they make their first-ever appearance in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) league phase . After overcoming VfL Wolfsburg in a dramatic qualifying tie, Inter secured their place among Europe’s elite and will begin their UWCL campaign against Swedish side BK Häcken at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza. For Emma Kullberg however, the tie carries an added significance. The defender played for the Gothenburg-based side in 2021 and is ‘looking forward’ to facing her former club. “We will prepare as we always do and focus on what we can do to win the game,” she said. “Of course for me it’s a special game, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m happy and it will be very fun to play against Häcken.” Inter are also set to face Austria Wien, OL Lyonnes, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Arsenal during the league phase, and Kullberg is relishing the challenge ahead. Inter reach UWCL league phase for first time Embed from Getty Images Inter’s qualification represents a landmark moment for the club, with the Nerazzurre reaching the UWCL league phase for the first time in their history. The former Brighton defender admits she is excited to be part of a moment that will go down in the club’s history. “It feels very exciting. I’m very happy for this. There is a lot of good teams that we’re going to play against, and it will be a good challenge for us. But I’m super happy for being here.” The Italian club secured their place in the competition after overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Wolfsburg, winning the second leg 3-1 after extra-time before prevailing on penalties. Inter, however, are no stranger to European football. This season’s historic qualification comes after Inter’s first-ever European campaign last season, when they initially competed in UWCL qualifying before dropping into the inaugural Women’s Europa Cup. They reached the round of 16 before falling short against the very team they are preparing to face in their Champions League debut. Although Kullberg was at Juventus last season, she believes Inter’s first taste of European football will help them push on this campaign. “I think all the experiences that you get will will help you in the future, and we are playing against teams outside Italy, and sometimes there is another style of play that you will play against,” she said. “So yeah, I think that they played these games last year, it’s experience that we can bring into this tournament, to Champions League.” Preparing to face her former side Embed from Getty Images Kullberg could hardly have been handed a more personal opening fixture than BK Häcken — her final Swedish club before she moved to England. “It’s of course a special game playing against my former club. But that’s a good team, individuals and collective like a squad. So I think it’s gonna be like tough in many ways.” Despite her previous experience with the Swedish club, Kullberg doesn’t believe she possesses any secret information that could give Inter an advantage. “I wouldn’t say I have insights, but I know that Häcken is a really good team,” she said. “I’ve been watching their games, so I don’t have inside information, but of course, from watching them play, maybe they can help me to prepare for the game.” With Inter looking to avenge last season’s Europa Cup exit, Kullberg is instead concentrating on what her side can do to secure a positive start. “I think we will prepare as we always do, focus on what we can do to win the game,” she said. “Of course for me it’s a special game, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m happy, and it will be very fun to play against Häcken.” After Häcken, they will travel to face OL Lyonnes and Real Madrid, while Man City and Arsenal await later in the campaign. However, Kullberg is refusing to allow those bigger fixtures to serve as a distraction. “Right now, we’re focused on the next game. I think that is very important. Of course, it’s good to look further ahead also, but right now for us it’s the next game that is in focus and what we can do the best for that particular game.” Has Kullberg played UWCL football before? Embed from Getty Images Inter’s players may be new to the UWCL league phase, but Kullberg brings considerable European experience from her previous clubs including Juventus. Her most recent UWCL campaign came with Juventus last season, when she featured throughout their European run, including their play-off victory over Benfica and subsequent last 16 meetings with Wolfsburg. While she acknowledges that Inter’s first appearance makes the occasion even more significant, she insists the feeling of playing in Europe’s premier club competition never changes. “Of course, it’s a little bit more special just because it’s the first time for Inter,” she explained. “But I love playing the Champions League games, and I’ve always done that, so for me it’s always a special feeling and honour to be here, and we have to fight to be here.” Inter’s qualification is also significant beyond the club itself, with the defender hopeful that their presence in the competition can contribute to the development of women’s football in Italy. “The football here in Italy is developing and I want it to continue,” she said. “I want Italy to have a lot of teams in Champions League in the future, so I hope we can do the best as we can here, and then we see.” Where can I watch the UEFA Women’s Champions League? For viewers at home, you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions. The first round of matches get underway on Tuesday 22nd September. Inter Milan will open their UWCL debut campaign against BK Häcken on Tuesday with kick-off at 17:45pm (BST). Related articles from Her Football Hub: Serie A Women’s Cup final: Redondo-inspired Juventus prevail on penalties after dramatic fightback ‘You always have a choice’: Tessel Middag speaks out against Saudi Arabia’s influence on football Serie A Women’s Cup round-up: Roma run riot as Juventus edge out Inter