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Goteborg begin Bjorklund reign by cancelling out first-leg loss to Levadia in UECL

Adam Bergmark-Wiberg scores the first of his brace
Adam Bergmark-Wiberg scores the first of his braceInts Kalnins / Bildbyran Photo Agency / Profimedia

IFK Goteborg began life under new head coach Joachim Bjorklund by progressing in the UEFA Conference League (UECL) with a 3-1 away victory in Estonia against Levadia Tallinn, securing a 4-3 aggregate win.

Levadia 1-3 IFK Goteborg (3-4 on aggregate)

A 2-1 home defeat in the first leg of this second qualifying round tie played a role in Stefan Billborn being replaced at the start of the week by his former assistant, Bjorklund, who watched his side set up a meeting with Belgian side Genk in the next round.

But it could have been a much more comfortable night for Blavitt, who could have levelled the tie before the break, but Tobias Heintz was unable to convert a penalty in first-half added time, as Karl Vallner made a strong save.

The visitors finally went ahead on the night and level in the tie shortly before the hour mark, as Noah Tolf slotted the ball through to Adam Bergmark-Wiberg, who scored the first goal of the Bjorklund era by lifting it over the goalkeeper.

Goteborg had the chance to win it in normal time when they were awarded a second penalty in the 88th minute after a foul by Vallner, but again the goalkeeper was unbeatable from the spot, denying Sam Larsson from 12 yards.

That meant extra-time, and just three minutes in, Bergmark-Wiberg continued to be a thorn in Levadia's side, reacting quickest to bundle in a rebound after Vallner saved from Tiago Coimbra.

And the avoidance of an embarrassing exit was confirmed 10 minutes later - Larsson atoned for his penalty miss by playing a measured pass through for Saidou Alioum to guide into the net.

Maximilian Skvortsov pulled a goal back for Levadia in the 121st minute, but that was too little too late for the Estonian side.

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