There was 40 minutes to go before Spain’s first game since their World Cup victory. Sweden’s players had been warming up on the Gamla Ullevi pitch in Gothenburg for the opening Women’s Nations League (WNL) fixture. Some fans had come to the stadium early. When the Spanish players came on, it sounded like a full house.
The players emerged from the tunnel with their eyes fixed on the pitch, but they immediately looked up in surprise, staring into the stands.
The Swedish fans began to shout, to cheer the players, to give them a standing ovation – the one the World Cup-winning team deserve, the same team that eliminated Sweden in the semi-finals in Auckland.
Banners went up among the crowd of Swedish fans: “Se acabo (It’s over)”. “With you, Jenni and La Roja”.
It was an ovation beyond a star sewn onto their chest. It was the hero’s treatment they deserved for getting through another challenging week, the fifth successive one since the World Cup final on August 20. It was the first opportunity to receive recognition for their bravery and struggles.
Prior to the game, both sets of players had promised joint action and they delivered. After the national anthems, the Spanish and Swedish players came together, fists raised and a banner spread between them: “Se acabo…
