GETTING TO KNOW: MJÄLLBY AIF

Based in the small coastal village of Hällevik, Mjällby are one of the most remarkable success stories in European football, completing an extraordinary rise to win their first-ever Allsvenskan title in 2025 and qualifying for European competition for the first time in the club's history.

Mjällby AIF were founded in 1939 following the merger of two local football clubs. The club represents Hällevik, a fishing village in the Blekinge region of south-east Sweden with a population of around 1,500 people. Despite their small size, the club has become one of Sweden's biggest football success stories.

The 2025 season will forever be remembered in Mjällby's history. They stunned Swedish football by winning their first-ever Allsvenskan title, securing the championship with three matches remaining.

Their title-winning campaign was one of the greatest in the league's history: first Swedish championship, a league record of 75 points, just one defeat all season, and finishing 13 points clear at the top of the table. They also added another historic achievement by lifting the 2025/26 Svenska Cupen, defeating Hammarby 2-1 in the final to claim the first Swedish Cup in the club's history and complete a domestic double.

This achievement earned them a place in UEFA Champions League qualifying for the very first time.

Around a decade ago, Mjällby were battling financial uncertainty and looking to establish themselves as a stable club. Through smart recruitment, long-term planning and a philosophy centred on continuous improvement, they have steadily climbed the ranks of Swedish football before reaching the summit in 2025.

Lincoln Red Imps will visit Strandvallen, one of Sweden's most unique football venues. Located just a short distance from the Baltic Sea, the stadium has been Mjällby's home for decades and is renowned for its intimate atmosphere.

For this historic European campaign, UEFA approved Strandvallen to host the club's first-ever European fixtures. This tie marks another milestone for the Swedish champions. Having never previously competed in UEFA competition, Mjällby are making their European debut this summer, while the Imps continue to add to their extensive experience on the continental stage.

With a place in the next round at stake, the meeting promises to be another memorable occasion in both clubs' European journeys.