Football: HJK eliminated from Champions League after battling PSV

Helsinki Football Club (HJK) was eliminated from the Women's Champions League qualifiers after a 3-1 defeat to Dutch side PSV in Luxembourg. The loss means no Finnish clubs will compete at the highest European level this season.

PSV's forward Liz Rijsbergen was in formidable form, scoring two goals within three minutes in the first half to give the Dutch team a commanding 2-0 lead. HJK managed to pull a goal back in the second half through Iiris Holmström, briefly raising hopes of a comeback.

However, Rijsbergen quickly extinguished those hopes, completing her hat-trick in the very next minute after Holmström's goal. This sealed the victory for PSV and HJK's exit from the Champions League.

The second qualifying round was played as mini-tournaments. HJK had previously defeated Luxembourg's Racing in their semi-final on Thursday. Despite the final loss to PSV, HJK's earlier victory ensures they will continue their European campaign in the Europa League qualifiers. The first leg of the Europa League qualifying round is scheduled for September 23rd, with the second leg on September 30th.

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HJK voitti torstaina oman välieränsä luxemburgilaista Racingia vastaan, joten finaalitappio PSV:tä vastaan ei päätä Klubin eurokesää.