The rare joy of Swedish football

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I’ve only seen a Swedish team play live on two occasions, the national team, at Hampden, twice. The first was in 1977. Kenny Dalglish was still very much a Celtic hero at the time but back then I was captivated by Ronnie Glavin, who, for me, provided as much thrill as his more celebrated team mate.  Ronnie was subbed early in the second half but it was Joe Craig who made the headlines after coming on as a late substitute to make his international debut.

I was far back in the Celtic end but memories of Dalglish crossing from the right wing and Joe stooping low to head into the net from close range – his first touch of the ball – remain vivid.

I’ve a few great Swedish football memories of TV coverage: Gothenburg in the 1986 European Cup semi-final against Barca.  The Swedes were 3-0 after the first leg but wilted in Catalonia and lost out on penalties.  The neutrals were disappointed.  Gothenburg fared better the following season, edging Dundee United in the Uefa Cup final (I was disappointed again).  Heady days for both.  I recall cheering the same team on in a Champions League qualifier during our barren 90s, when European pleasure was taken second hand.

There are some who would tell you Swedish football is in dire straits.  Gothenburg, once the regional superpower, are currently 11th in the league, but Sweden has a rare joy, a league title competed for by up to a dozen teams.  The Allsvenskan has produced seven different champions in the last seven years, in fact, it is a bit like Scotland, without Celtic or former club Rangers (remember them?).

Clubs live within their means, have an absolute connection to their communities and thrive knowing that genuine talent will be rewarded with a league title. Aspirational Scottish clubs must dream of this status….

Looking forward to tomorrow night. The script is written for Tony Watt to ‘do a Joe Craig’.

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1,341 Comments

  1. mighty tim

     

     

    14:07 on 28 August, 2012

     

     

    If Brown ( groin ) Commons and Rogne (ankle ) doubtful for tomorrow and Kayal and Ledley already out, what will our line up be ?

     

     

    Forster

     

    Mathews Wilson Mulgrew Izzy

     

     

    Forrest McCourt Wanyama Twardzik Sammi

     

     

    Hooper

     

     

    Not sure if we have many options left. I appreciate that young Tony may come on but cannot see him start. Getting a bit concerned about midfield IMO we look a bit lightweight.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    —- ——- ——

     

     

    Brown & Commons both in full training session mhate so hopefully it’s just mind games.

     

     

    Brown – http://www.snspix.com/7688403/print/7688403.html

     

    Commons – http://www.snspix.com/7688401/print/7688401.html

     

     

     

    HH

     

    /Bishop B

  2. Som mes que un club on

    £26!!!!! For a ticket to watch St Johnstone v Celtic on 15th Sep.

     

     

    And they wonder why crowds are dwindling….

     

     

    Disgusting.

  3. Looking at the Scottish league tables………

     

    Wondering how the Glasgow teams are doing, and it makes good reading eh!

     

    The Tic top of the SPL…………

     

    The Harry Wraggs top of Div 1…………….

     

    Then the bloody Bully Wee let’s the place down by only being 3rd in Div 3 (with the Spiders 5th)……….

     

     

    From the Green Citizen 2012

     

     

    Regards & Hail Hail

     

    TBM

  4. Som mes que un club on

    Or in other words,

     

     

    “Lets make fans of CFC pay for the missing Sevco fans”

     

     

    GTF.

  5. Som etc

     

    Isn`t it the case that most entertainment —– dining out, pub ,theatre—-costs at least that?

     

     

    JJ

  6. Hello..

     

     

    Long time Lurker, who along with quite a few i read, received his password this Morning, after a wait of a good few Months, is delighted to be part of the best club forum in the World.. Is it ok to come in ??

  7. Vogue :-)))

     

     

    The Homer…..brilliant – thanks.

     

     

    HT – didn’t know that. It might it me a pint or two – cheers.

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Estadio

  8. What were the circumstances that had the BOLD Hamish mentioned above turning out for Celtic pre season tour >25 years ago.

     

     

    I asked this on TheZombietaxcase when Sheep fans were talking about opposition players they liked. Someone backed me that Hamish did a stint for us but cant recall anyone

     

    knowing why and who against.

     

     

    And NO i am not confusing the bold Hamish with Roughie

  9. SOT

     

     

    Yes Lynn’s became The Gate. Now gone.

     

     

    I think the Spring Inn has gone also.

  10. The Barca Mole

     

    I looked at the Tables as well and as I live in Arbroath I also had the pleasure of seeing them join Celtic and Thisle at the top of their respective tables. I had hoped the new wee team from Glasgow might make it an unprecedented quadruple but obviously yjey are not quite up to it.

     

     

    JJ

  11. I’ve got to sign off now for a spell but before I go can I ask if anyone else is starting to feel a little twitchy about tomorrow, especially if they score first? My sensible head tells me we will be okay, so why the twitches?

  12. Those who would sign del Piero at37 either have a better eye for a player than I have (eminently possible!) or subscribe to the ” other man`s grass is always greener” philosophy.

     

    ie “Scottish players bad; foreign players good”. It`s the way of things in Scotland.

     

     

    JJ

  13. HamiltonTim..

     

     

    Just South of ML6 at the mo, hunting beaver, then move North of the Monkland Canal to camp down for Winter.. :-)

  14. Som mes que un club on

    Jungle Jim

     

     

    I don’t doubt whatsoever that other forms of entertainment are available.

     

     

    But, please don’t suggest to me that £26 is value for money to watch a football match involving St Johnstone.

     

     

    The point I am making, perhaps not too clearly, is that we are being absolutely taken for one with the price of these tickets.

     

     

    Dundee United don’t charge £26, so how on earth can St Johnstone charge this?

     

     

    fleecedcsc

     

     

    p.s And what I haven’t mentioned on previous posts, is that there is a £2.50 handling charge to be added (for turning up in person to purchase!!!!!????) or else it’s £6 to have them sent Special Delivery.

     

     

    GTF

  15. itsabouttim

     

     

    I’m using canestan!

     

     

    Oh you said ‘twitchy’.

     

     

    Naw

     

     

    Biggest certainty since ‘let there be light’!

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Estadio

  16. South Of Tunis

     

    14:29 on

     

    28 August, 2012

     

    Del Piero ?

     

     

    37 and quoted as ” seriously considering ” signing for Sion FC

     

    —————————————————————————————

     

    Exactly – Switzerland FFS! He wants to play football not retire ….. come on Celtic, have a go!!!

  17. itsabouttim

     

     

    It`s because you are a Tim. Being raised amongst ra peepil, we are taught not to believe in our team. Only They can expect success.

  18. 67heaven … i am neil lennon..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors

     

     

    Hehe!! Definitely not!! Strictly teams wi more than 6months history for me.:-)

     

    HH

  19. Len Brennan/AsonOfDan

     

    Thanks for the updates. Just switched on Sky and they were giving it all 3 were serious doubts. Hope broonie and Kris make it would like Rogne in there too.

     

     

    HH

  20. There used to be a chinese pub in Duke street called the “Bang Wan Inn” next to the “Holy Fook” restaurant

  21. Hawkeye

     

     

    In the past I’ve met some of those beavers from ML6, they’re not to be trifled with. Head north soon as the weather breaks Bhoyo :-)

  22. pintaguinness

     

     

    Ma pal has just finished doing up a restaurant in Sauchiehall street ‘Thai-riffic’.

     

     

    Hail hail

     

     

    Estadio

  23. I’d like to see the following team line up at CP in the league at some point this season

     

     

    Fraser

     

     

    Matthews Rogne Fraser Chalmers

     

     

    Forrest McGeough F.Twardzik Slane

     

     

    Watt Gormley

  24. hamiltontim

     

     

    14:13 on 28 August, 2012

     

     

     

     

    You’re only on here two minutes and already you’re calling people huns!!!

     

     

    I like you already :-)

     

     

    ——————————————————————————————————–

     

     

    I’ve waited an eternity for my password reset but have felt every bit as part of it even though I couldn’t post! CQN has cost my work a fortune in wasted days! lol

     

     

    Now that I can post… where’s Declan been?? Would love to hear his insight on the goings on at mordor!

  25. godblesstommyburns on

    ASonOfDan

     

     

    cole sear

     

     

    the sixth sense

     

     

    i see dead people(playing football in bue jerseys)

  26. I see STV are running stories for the benefit of the Sevco hordes about how we crumble if Helsingborg get the first goal.

     

     

    I dont remember that happening against Helsinki?

     

     

    Once that roar goes up when the CL tune starts playing, there will be a trickle of yellow stuff running down the leg of more than one Helsingborg player.

  27. greenjedi

     

     

    I believe young Gormley was released at the end of last season.

     

     

    HH!!