Before Sweden’s European Championship qualifier against Belgium in October, three Swedes were shot in Brussels. Two people were killed. Their friend Pelle was injured but survived.
The men’s national team will carry out a demonstration in support of those affected and their relatives before the international match against Estonia at home at Friends Arena on Sunday – and now the players and leaders in Blue Yellow have met Pelle.
Photo: Swedish Football Association/Instagram
Left back Ludwig Augustinsson says:
– It feels absolutely right (to show support). It’s heavy. We met the third supporter who was shot yesterday. He was here to visit. I was taken.
– That you go to an international match in the national team jersey and then it happens there… it is clear that we should pay tribute to those supporters. I also think a lot about their families and loved ones, what they have had to endure. It’s terrible.
Pelle was present during the national team’s closed training at Friends Arena and was able to greet players and managers, the association’s press staff states.
– I told him that it means a lot that he was there and that he is incredibly strong who came by, says Augustinsson.
Backen plays every day in Anderlecht and Brussels in particular. He describes the incident in his home country as “unpleasant” and admits that the terrorist act led to many thoughts in his head.
How careful are you not to mention that you are Swedish in Brussels?
– I am quite careful. When I’m in different places, if I’m eating or taking a taxi or whatever, I think about it a little bit. It feels strange to have to do that. But that’s just how the world is right now. You lie a little low.
How does that affect your willingness to stay in Brussels and Anderlecht?
– After the first week and that shock, it has felt better. It feels like it’s a bit uneasy everywhere. Even here in Sweden. I don’t feel completely safe in Sweden either, to be completely honest. It feels like there are a lot of problems in the world. It’s a little uneasy here and there.
Union captain Janne Andersson comments on the meeting:
– We are grateful that Pelle took the time to come and meet us. It means a lot to players and managers. He is a very nice person with whom it was fun to talk while there were very strong feelings.
The Swedish Football Association has invited Pelle and relatives of those affected to the match against Estonia.
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