Englishman guides Ostersund from 4th tier to Europa League knockout rounds

A former English-league journeyman has steered a minnow from the fourth tier of Sweden's football pyramid into the final 32 of the Europa League.

Ostersund, which hails from a northern outpost better known for winter sports, won 2-0 against Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk on Thursday to confirm its passage into the competition's knockout rounds. Along the way, manager Graham Potter has overseen victories against Galatasaray, PAOK, and Hertha Berlin.

Ostersund's opener was scrappy, with former Middlesbrough trainee Curtis Edwards' cross adjudged to have been turned in by Zorya's Dmytro Grechyshkin. The second effort was a lot more palatable thanks to the mazy dribble Saman Ghoddos sculpted before rocketing a 25-yarder past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Potter, perhaps leaning on his MA in leadership and emotional intelligence from Leeds Metropolitan University, has used innovative methods to draw the best from the dilapidated outfit he inherited in 2010, including having his players stage a production of "Swan Lake." Three promotions and a maiden triumph in the Svenska Cupen followed. Now, potential dates with clubs dropping out of the Champions League - a contingent that could feature Atletico Madrid - are on the horizon.