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Following its uneven, but critically important, 3-1 win over Australia in its opening match, the U.S. Women’s National Team (the Lady Yanks) next face Sweden on Friday evening, June 12th, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Sweden, the 5th ranked team in the world coming into the tournament, surprisingly drew 3-3 with Nigeria in its opening match, so the Swedes will be desperate for a victory to ensure their place in the knockout round. As we get closer to Friday night, what do we know about the Swedes?
Sweden, or “The Kingdom of Sweden” as it is officially known, is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. It is the third-largest country by area, but with a total population of 9.7 milllion, it has a very low population density. So even in Sweden, those tall, beautiful blondes do not grow on trees.
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, with King Carl XVI Gustaf serving as the head of state. The legislature, like much of Europe, is chaired by a Prime Minister. Sweden also maintains a social welfare system that provides universal health care and advanced education for all of its citizens, so it can never be said that King Carl XVI Gustaf does not take care of his people.
In addition to providing social welfare within its own country, Sweden’s exports have also provided happiness to citizens around the world, especially in the United States. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or that book that you really were going to read until the movie came out and you decided not to bother, was written and takes place in Sweden. And of course, there is dreamboat actor Alexander Skarsgard, who starred on the incredibly popular HBO show True Blood, which managed to simultaneously entertain us and make us wish for the true death for being entertained by it. #TeamEric4ever.
But while Sweden has produced excellent writers and actors, its biggest contribution to to global culture has been with its music. First, it was ABBA, who came along in the 1970s and exploded on to the scene before living on forever as part of your parents’ record collection. Then, in the 1980s, there was Europe. Apparently they made several albums full of different songs, but only one has endured and it will live on infamy forever through the work of internationally renowned, but blacklisted magician George Oscar Bluth II.
ABBA and Europe would have been enough for most countries. But not for Sweden. For during the 1990s came around, a Swedish band came on the scene that would change the way that we looked not only at music, but life as a whole. That year: 1992. That band: Ace of Base. On the “Happy Nation” album, we were introduced to the holy trinity of 1990s pop greatness: “All that She Wants,” “Don’t Turn Around,” and “The Sign,” the latter of which opened up our eyes in ways that we had never previously dreamed of.
The Swedish National Anthem is called “Du gamia, Du fria” which translates as “Thou ancient, Thou free.” This operatic tune is a love song to the North, as there is a promise to never leave and fight until the death to preserve the homeland. Now that you know (probably more than) enough about the country itself, what about its football team?
First and foremost, there is at least one central character involved with the Swedish national team that we should all know very well: manager Pia Sundhage. Sundhage managed the U.S. national team from 2008 to 2012 before current manager Jill Ellis took over. During Sundhage’s run as manager, the U.S. won the gold medal at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and memorably finished runner-up in the 2011 World Cup. The parting of Sundhage and U.S. Soccer seemed generally amicable, as Sundhage wanted to return to her native Sweden, where she was named national coach later in 2012.
Or so it seemed until comments that Sundhage made about her former players were published on Tuesday in the New York Times. In the interview, Sundhage said if she was still coaching, star Abby Wambach would be on the bench and that U.S. captain Carli Lloyd was a "challenge to coach" and could be among the worst players on the squad. Well then. Sundhage is known for speaking her mind, but stirring the pot like this is an interesting tactical decision perhaps designed on motivating her new players. She also said that goalkeeper Hope Solo was one of the most challenging players she's ever worked with. Ok so not everything she said was crazy. But now Sundhage will be taking her intimate knowledge of the U.S. players and attempting to use it against them.
Sweden finished third in the 2011 World Cup and were runners-up in 2003, so this team is a forced to be reckoned with on the international stage. Its squad features several members who play for the ladies’ squad of well-known European clubs, including goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl (Chelsea), forward Kosovare Asllani and captain Caroline Seger (Paris Saint-Germain), and defender Nilla Fischer (Wolfsburg). But do not let your club associations fool you, in this tournament, they are still the enemy.
In its opening match, Sweden led Nigeria 2-0 at the half and looked poised to cruise to the top of the group, but Nigeria equalized within 8 minutes of the start of the second half. Sweden went ahead again thanks to substitute Linda Sembrant’s goal, but Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega salvaged a draw for the Super Falcons.
For the United States, victory on Friday would not only be a sweet revenge over their former manager, but would solidify their spot on top of the “group of death” with only one match remaining. Winning this group is critical, as a second place finish could lead to a match up with Brazil in the round of 16. So now that you know what we are up against, get yourself ready for Friday evening with your red, white, and blue attire and favorite American beverage. Let’s go Lady Yanks!
Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @thefootiegent
