Aberdeen secured European progress on their return to rain-soaked Gothenburg if not the glory night of their previous visit.
The Dons moved into the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League despite a 2-0 defeat by 10-man BK Hacken.
Aberdeen moved through to a clash against Austria Vienna or Icelandic side Breidablik thanks to a 5-3 aggregate win.
Second-half goals from Martin Olsson and Leo Bengtsson gave the Swedish side hope but a red card for Patrik Walemark undermined the hosts’ comeback.
Aberdeen beat Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final on a similarly wet evening in Gothenburg 38 years ago and a first-leg display that rekindled memories of their 1980s heyday set up the chance to enjoy a happy return.
They had plenty of chances to secure a better result but it was job done in the end.
Stephen Glass’ side survived some early pressure before beginning to dominate.
Christian Ramirez had several chances, producing a fresh-air swipe from the first, being denied by the goalkeeper after a clever Jay Emmanuel-Thomas through ball and then having a curling effort held.
Emmanuel-Thomas came closer after good skill in the box and a shot that drew a smart stop from the goalkeeper.
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Lewis Ferguson had an excellent header pushed away from the corner as the Dons ended the half on top. But they suffered an early blow after the break when Emmanuel-Thomas went off with a clash of heads. Brighton loan player Teddy Jenks came on.
Hacken took the lead in the 51st minute when Olsson played a slick one-two and finished well after sloppy possession play from the visitors.
Funso Ojo soon missed a glorious chance to level on the counter-attack when he completely missed his kick under no pressure from eight yards following a square ball by Ramirez.
Joe Lewis soon made a brilliant one-handed stop but the Swedes moved two ahead midway through the half after catching Aberdeen out with a ball through the middle of the Dons centre-backs with Andy Considine appealing in vain for offside.
Lewis tripped Bengtsson and the midfielder sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.
Walemark soon had a minute of madness though, getting booked twice in quick succession, the latter time for catching substitute Jack MacKenzie in the face with an elbow.
There was a string of yellow cards for both sides including one for Glass and another for Declan Gallagher – before the defender came on for his Aberdeen debut – with seven players booked in addition to Walemark.
The pressure was off Aberdeen now and they came close to scoring on several occasions.
Ferguson saw a free-kick pushed wide, Considine could not turn home a driven ball from Ramirez, and substitute Jack Gurr had an effort saved.
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