Ten minutes before kick-off, my children called. I myself had not seen the reports of shootings in Brussels and they wanted to hear that I was safe. Something guaranteed, many Swedes at the Kung Baudoin stadium got to be part of this October evening. It took us a while to grasp what had happened.
Sweden was just about to step out on the field to play a European Championship qualifier against Belgium and even if it didn’t matter, it would be played. Earlier in the evening, Austria had won against Azerbaijan and thus the minimal hope of reaching the EC was gone for Janne Andersson. Every now and then it felt sad before the evening, but that EC miss quickly faded away.
Social media gave me and many others an all too clear picture of what had happened just over an hour earlier. It was difficult and painful to take in what was happening and what was being filmed. Belgian media stated that it was Swedish supporters who were shot, and it was information that Belgian police somewhat later confirmed.
Strange sight
It was incomprehensible that the match started, but afterwards we found out that neither Janne Andersson nor the players had been informed about the act of terrorism against Swedes. Nevertheless, it was strange to see a match played in front of a packed arena when you knew that Swedes had been killed shortly before the match.
Directly after the first half, national team captain Andersson and the players received information about what had happened. Their decision was immediately to break the EC qualification. Victor Nilsson Lindelöf spoke to the Belgian players and together they got through to suspend the match. Which was obvious when there was an act of terrorism.
It was chaotic outside the arena during the break and you realize how quickly fear and panic spread from terror. As the second half approached, many people remained outside the stadium eating hot dogs, drinking beer and smoking. Many had only then received information about what happened earlier in the evening.
We were out there and were supposed to be on TV4-Nyheterna. Suddenly everyone started running towards the arena. It was panic. It was probably nothing, but soon after that they put the King Baudoin stadium in lockdown. Brutal guards made sure to send people in and no one was allowed out. Ideally, one would go up one floor. The terror threat level was then raised in Brussels and the shooter was at large.
In retrospect, it was fascinating to think that no one checked bags on the way into the match arena. There is more control when you go in to follow a Swedish national team training at Friends Arena than there was in Brussels before the European Championship qualifiers. The city has nevertheless had some acts of terrorism.
Andersson broken down
About an hour after the match had been stopped, national team captain Andersson, who was completely broken down, and team captain Nilsson-Lindelöf sat down and gave an account of the surreal evening. They saw no point in the match ever being finished, but just wanted all the Swedes on site to get home safely. Andersson had a hard time taking in what had happened.
The Swedish supporters and most of the Belgians were still in place at the arena shortly before midnight. Most people out in the stands Some had come to the press room. The assessment then was that as long as the shooter was free, the Belgian authorities did not want Swedish supporters on the streets of Brussels. Understandable.
Imagine that the yellow Swedish national team shirt is suddenly a target for some groups in the polarized and torn world we find ourselves in. Of course, we have to wait for analyzes and explanations of the act. But it is sad that among the best that Swedish football has, its supporters, were suddenly in direct danger on this evening that was supposed to be about football.
Sad and tragic that Swedish supporters have become victims and suffer with all those affected and their relatives. It is difficult to accept that the act took place even if the images of a perpetrator walking around and shooting cannot be erased from the retina.