Hibernian kick off European prep with 2-1 win over Brøndby IF
Hibernian finished their pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over Danish side Brøndby IF at Easter Road on July 19, 2026. Debutant Nathan Lowe scored twice in the first half to secure the win, marking a strong start ahead of their European journey.
What happened in the match?
The game began with Hibernian pressing high, and Lowe almost opened the scoring early when a defensive error nearly gifted him a chance. The striker didn’t have to wait long, though, as a defensive mix-up allowed him to pounce and slot home the opener. Just a minute later, Lowe doubled the lead with a near-post header from Martin Boyle’s cross.
Brøndby pulled one back just before halftime when Jordan Obita was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and Patrick Mortensen converted the penalty. Despite further changes in the second half, Hibernian held on, with Raphael Sallinger making a crucial late save to preserve the lead.
Why this win matters for Hibernian
This victory comes at a crucial time as Hibernian prepare for their European campaign. The match also served as a 10-year anniversary rematch of their 2016 UEFA Europa League qualifier against Brøndby, adding historical significance to the friendly. Head coach David Gray will take confidence from the performance, particularly the impact of new signings like Lowe and Adam Mayor.
What’s next for Hibernian?
With pre-season now complete, Hibernian will shift their focus to their upcoming European fixtures. The match also provided valuable minutes for summer signings Jason Kerr, Azeem Abdulai, and others, as Gray fine-tunes his squad ahead of the competitive season.
