Bragging rights on the line at Kungsbacka

Sweden and Norway have a historical rivalry. Maybe most associated with winter sports where both countries have been very successful. But today the opportunity to get the bragging rights over their neighbours were abundant at Inlag in Kungsbacka, where around 30 games between Swedish and Norwegian sides took place.

One of these games were between Adolfsbergs IK and Trosvik IF in the Girls 14 category. Alicia, a player in the Swedish side Adolfsbergs IK talks about the rivalry between the two neighbouring countries.

“It’s definitely the biggest rivalry for us in Sweden, and the Norwegians have won too much now so we have to make sure we put a stop to it”, she says.

The fact that the Norwegians have won a lot lately is something people from both countries would echo in terms of the sport which both nations probably associate the rivalry most to – cross-country skiing. Where Norway have dominated for the last few years. But in terms of football the Swedes have the latest bragging rights. Going further than the Norwegians in this summers’ World Cup in France.

“It was nice that we went further than them. It’s always a bit of prestige in that” says Alicia.

Delin, Mina-Therese and Emilia are part of the Norwegian side Trosvik IF that Alicia and Adolfsbergs IK are facing. They agree that there is a rivalry between the nations.

“Yes there is. Of course we want to win and show who’s the best” they say.

Trosvik IF have already played two Swedish teams in the group stages. A win and a loss in their first two games means there’s a lot on the line for the upcoming game.

“We have to win with a few goals to make it to Play Off A” they say.

Unfortunately for Trosvik IF couldn’t get the win they needed. In a hard-fought game Adolfsbergs IK came out victorious. Getting the bragging rights in this particular Sweden/Norway clash. In terms of the other games between the two nations which took place at Inlag today the results between the both nations were close. Which mirrors the historic rivalry one would have to say.