stad. Players feel the support of the fans – as well as external expectations.
The Swedish national team enters the European Championship as a top candidate.
– That’s something we have to talk about, says Olivia Shoof.
A band of determined and predictable national teams gathered on Monday at a stadium.
It’s a tournament lined up with favorite blue and yellow. Appreciation and interest in the women’s team increased.
The return match against Brazil next Tuesday at Friends Arena in Solna will be a new record match.
Christopher Lund, who is in charge of the fan club and fan recruitment for the Swedish Football Association, confirmed to Sportbladet that 30,000 tickets for the international match have been sold. This likely means that the previous audience record for the women’s team of 25,882 spectators has been broken.
Ytterforwarden Olivia Shaw Feel the attention and love of fans. This trend continued.
– It’s incredible. It’s been so many years now and 2019 was probably the first time we really felt: “Shit, Sweden loves us,” she continues:
– That was when we came home there after the bronze in the World Cup, and then it became very clear when everyone met in Gothenburg. Since then, it has continued there. The Olympics were great too. Even though we were so far away, there was a feeling that there were so many that followed us, so it was so much fun, that we hardly have to fight to break the record in Friends Arena which is unbelievable. I know we really struggled to beat it last time, and now it’s just a regular campaign, and it went really fast.
At the same time, you realize that gold of choice is new. It can be heavy to carry.
– It’s special because we haven’t been there before. This is something we need to talk about. It’s something different for us. We know that the European Championships are very difficult. Now there is Spain, there is England and Germany. We’re the candidates, obviously, but there are plenty of them too, she says but points out:
– That’s something we’ll talk about. We’re not so used to feeling like we’re favorites.
Rasmus Lilliblad, football psychological advisor, is on the management team.
league captain Peter Gerhardson Understand that reactions and emotions can vary. However, he himself landed in relief with the situation.
– I didn’t like the underdog mentality that was in BK Häcken. I’d rather be in a situation like this than anything else. Not everyone is sure to feel this way, but you have to accept the feeling, there is a higher chance of success.
When asked if Sweden wins the gold medal, the captain of the national team shook his head.
We don’t know, but the possibility exists. It feels good, says Peter Gerhardson.