Sverige, Sverige, Sverige!

That was the rallying cry heard this past Sunday along Avenyn, one of the wider thoroughfares in Goteborg. The city had blocked off part of the street and set up jumbo screens suspended from cranes so that the Euro 2008 football (soccer) match between Sweden and Spain could be watched by the masses.

And watched by the masses it was. As was the match against Greece on June 10. Chanting, silly hats, national pride, consumption of copious amounts of alcohol. Yes, football is the national sport here. We enjoyed watching the game along with the crowd. But, we didn't have the stamina to stay for the whole game. Indian food was calling us back to our favorite restaurant. How could we not heed the call of that chant?

Chants of Sverige! were heard Wednesday night as well. That is, up until the game ended. Sweden had failed to score 1 point against Russia which would have advanced them into the next round. And, so, Sweden was out. I guess Swedish sports fans will have to put away their jerseys and silly hats. At least until curling season starts up.

An interesting perspective on the geopolitical implications and uniting powers of football can be found here.