Eriksson’s funeral was held in Torsby at Fryksände Church. Nearly 600 guests were about to lay the Swedish football coach to rest.
Swedish soccer coaching legend Sven-Göran Eriksson is buried on Friday in Torsby, Sweden.
Eriksson died at the age of 76 after a long illness three weeks ago. “Svennis” had cancer, which he was diagnosed with at the end of last year.
The funeral of Eriksson from Värmland was large according to his own wishes. Eriksson had hoped that the funeral could be a communal and joyful event and open to the public.
Around 600 guests had arrived at Torsby’s Fryksände church, of which 150 were invited as guests of honor. Hundreds of people also came to the church yard to follow the funeral, who watched the ceremony live on a large outdoor screen.
Among the guests of honor, among others, a football superstar and a former coach of “Svennis” had arrived in Torsbyhy David Beckhamas well as ex-player heroes of Swedish football, among others Glenn Stromberg, Glenn Hysen and Kim Kallstrom. The former head coach of the Finnish men’s national team and Eriksson’s assistant coach for a long time was also present Hans Backe.
According to the Swedish media, the occasion was warm and moving, in accordance with the wishes of the legend.
– Sven-Göran was never late, but preferred to be five or ten minutes ahead of schedule. It wasn’t in his nature to just take it easy while on vacation. Breakfast was always at 8 o’clock and a walk was done at 9 o’clock. He loved his routines and discipline, but he was also a fun person. He loved good food and drink and traveling in first class, the Funeral Chaplain Ingela Älvskog spoke.
– He was kind and did not cause problems for others. He was a loving father who always took care of his children.
At Sven-Göran Eriksson’s wish, several songs were performed at the funeral. Among other things, the hymn “Amazing Grace” was heard in the church, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”, Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind”, the Italian song “Volare” and Eriksson’s home country song “Värmlandsvisan” as the last song. After the song, Eriksson’s coffin was carried outside, the bearers were Eriksson’s children and grandchildren.