Jacob Bergstrom hopes to extend Mjallby's Cinderella run against Slovan Bratislava

Jacob Bergstrom never imagined sharing a pitch with stars like Yaya Toure, yet the 31-year-old striker went from amateur leagues to scoring on his Champions League debut for Mjallby. After joining the club in 2018 and working at Subway until he turned full-time professional at 24, he contributed to Mjallby's historic league and cup double. The team, based in the tiny fishing village of Hallevik, now prepares for a third-qualifying-round clash with Slovan Bratislava, whose new manager is former Champions League winner Toure.

Bergstrom, who lives in Hallevik with his wife and two children, cycles to the seaside stadium Strandvallen, where a festive atmosphere greets each European match. Fans from the whole region flock to the village, turning the encounter into a community event. Even if Mjallby fall short, the club is assured of a place in the Conference League, giving Bergstrom further chances to face top talent.