The Swedish men’s national team meets Azerbaijan in the EC qualifiers, which are played away in the capital, Baku. Even though it has already been clear that Sweden’s EC chances are completely gone, it is a special match that will be played on Thursday.
In addition to being the national team captain, Janne Andersson’s last match, it is the national team’s first match since the terrorist attack in Brussels, where two Swedish supporters were killed.
– It’s a special collection, says Football Channel’s Olof Lundh.
Viaplay, which broadcasts the match, has chosen for security reasons not to send its staff to monitor the match on site.
“The safety and security of our employees always comes first for us,” writes Viaplay’s press spokesperson Ruben Labbé to Sportbladet.
“The terrorist act in Brussels was a terrible situation for all those affected and our employees on site,” he writes further in an email to the newspaper.
Swedish supporters on site
According to the Swedish Football Association, 52 tickets have been sold to Swedish supporters via the supporters’ club. Union captain Janne Andersson has described those who go to Baku to see the match as “heroes”.
– If people come to Baku, I can say they are heroes, based on the fact that we have nothing to play for. There are many people you would like to thank very much. They are people with big hearts who have supported us in various ways, says the union captain at a press conference.
Increased security before the match
The soccer channel’s columnist, Olof Lund, is in Baku to cover the match. He describes the atmosphere as “special” before the EC qualifying meeting.
– It is clear that players and managers were affected by what happened in Brussels, he says.
According to Olof Lundh, security has been tightened ahead of the EC qualifying meeting.
– There are some new routines. For example, it has not made public where the national team lives, as has traditionally been done in the past. It’s simply more security.
Supporters in place
One of the Swedish supporters who went to Baku to follow the national team is Erika Eriksson. She was also in Brussels to cheer on the national team when the terrorist act occurred.
– You ride with a little tension. It’s not the same as before, says Erika Eriksson, dressed in the Swedish national team jersey.
– In some way, it feels like you want to stand up for your national team, and stand up for Sweden.
Increased vigilance
Erika Eriksson says that she thinks about security and is more vigilant than before.
– You are more thoughtful about how you are dressed, how you move, and have more control than before. You will not be dressed as before and will not be festive and mobile as before.
She knew one of the victims, and one who was injured in the terrorist attack in Brussels, she says.
– I do it a little bit for their sake, I also feel actually.
– Somehow we have to move on. We are a big football family and we want to continue this life that we live. We don’t want to give way.