As seen in Sweden

[Cate Fox]

Weather a bit dull today. Decided to have a look at some of the other stadiums around the city. The new National Stadium is under construction; we didn't think there was much point going there, but it could be seen from the pendeltåg station at Solna:

Then on the bus to the RÃ¥sundastadion, the current Swedish national stadium and the home of AIK. This is the North Stand as it appeared on our approach:

Couldn't find a gate open anywhere. We visited the AIK club shop but they said everybody was on holiday and they didn't have access to the stadium. We thought we were in when we found a door open - stairs and a lift led up to the restaurant. Perhaps it will have a view over the pitch - but no, it wasn't even open. The best on offer was this view through the glass panel in its door:

More gates, more locks:

And then in the South Stand, we found a shop selling boots and trainers. And in the shop selling boots and trainers, we found a man with a key :icon_bigg

Another two grounds later - and hopefully some pics from tonight's game (if it ever stops raining) And I haven't forgetten the request for there to be one of Yann

Can I have one of Mr Oakley please

 

[Hazzman]

Love the Rasunda. Proper football ground. Shame when it's gone.

 

[SwedeFox]

Love the Rasunda. Proper football ground. Shame when it's gone.

True, it is quite nice actually. The south and north ends (those behind the goals) are much bigger than the other two, as you can see at Boc's pics, which makes for great atmosphere. Obviously not when Sweden are playing but in a Stockholm derby.

 

[bocadillo]

Can I have one of Mr Oakley please

I think you're going to be out of luck. You should have put your order in earlier.

 

[Swissfox]

Can I have one of Mr Oakley please

The woman can be helped - just hold out until Wednesday, alright?

 

[bocadillo]

As we were leaving the RÃ¥sunda we realised that there was another stadium nearby. After a five minute walk we find that it is Skytteholm IP, the home ground of Vasalunds IF who we played tonight at Kristineberg IP:

Some of the Vasalunds juniors on an adjacent practice pitch. You will see a group in black in the shelter in the back ground of the second shot; we found out later that they were from AIK:

And we're still not far from the National Stadium:

Moving on again, we find where BG parks his car on his Stockholm trips:

Back on the train we noticed something very odd. I don't even know the word for it:

 

[bocadillo]

Off to Grimsta to see the ground of the team with a name which I utterly fail to pronounce; far too much of a challenge!

100% plastic but still needs constant attention from the groundsman:

One of the club officials came out to see us and told us that IF Brommapojkarna run 276 teams and have over 5,000 registered players. How would you like to administer that lot?

And 276 teams need a big trophy room:

 

[bocadillo]

On the way to the game we met this pair at the station. They flew out last Thursday but owing to the closure of Amsterdam (or was it Brussels?) airport, they missed the Mallorca game. They didn't land until just 10 minutes before the final whistle:

We know the trips coming to an end; it's the last game in Sweden - Leicester City v Vasalunds IF, the last named referred to as the away team by the hapless announcer.

Some pre-game pictures - we've had to keep schtum on the injury to David Nugent for the past 24 hours or so, but he's there now on his crutches for everybody to see. Very pleased though that it hasn't turned out to be as serious as some first thought:

The lads from Wigston decorate the East Stand:

Ian Stringer prepares himself for a chat about nothing in particular:

 

[Jeff]

we've had to keep schtum on the injury to David Nugent for the past 24 hours or so

Is that so the clubs we're trying to buy more strikers from didn't suddenly increase the asking price?

 

[bocadillo]

The fans take their seats:

Kaspar is sitting this one out:

Take a careful look at this man. Don't buy a second-hand car from him and certainly don't ever go to a football tournament which he organises:

 

[bocadillo]

Is that so the clubs we're trying to buy more strikers from didn't suddenly increase the asking price?

No. It's so the press bloke didn't kick us in the bollocks and get us banned from the ground.

 

[bocadillo]

Let's get this road on the show:

In the first half we had rain:

... and a little football but the score-keeper wasn't to be disturbed - so we didn't:

Ten changes at half-time and one of them brings Tunchev back into the action:

 

[Motown Fox]

So were the fans just on one side of the ground?

 

[bocadillo]

So were the fans just on one side of the ground?

The lads from Wigston stayed round the other side at least for a while.

 

[bocadillo]

The second half is only a few minutes old when Richie Wellens is flattened in the box. The crowd shouts for Yann to step forward but he's getting behind on Yoga practice so Stevie Oakley grabs the ball and plants it on the spot:

Another four goals later and the match is over:

Sven gets the troph... eeerrrr... a bunch of flowers from a friend of NF (apparently with it being the first year of the tournament, they haven't had time to get a trophy - and besides that the bloke that was supposed to have got it has been off-sick)

... while Top talks to the bloke from SkySports:

 

[bocadillo]

Moussa, Kermorgant and Tunchev spend a little quality time together in the ice-bath (no ice). Yuki has a bit of a paddle and decides it's not for him:

End of tour photos should follow now, but these lucky buggers are flying down to Munich tomorrow afternoon for a coach ride down through Austria to the foothills of the Alps. Meanwhile we're coming back to Stansted and won't be following them. So here are your end of 60% of the tour photos:

 

[bocadillo]

Sven and Top join in the fun:

 

[bocadillo]

And another one of Yann in case DD missed the first one:

And Cate - make sure you ask in timely fashion next time.

 

[bocadillo]

 

[Jeff]

Moussa, Kermorgant and Tunchev spend a little quality time together in the ice-bath (no ice).

There has been research that has shown that ice baths can do more harm than good. Ordinary cold water is OK, but not ice. But I'm sure people will keep doing it because it's the latest fad.
Not as ridiculous as people wearing those hologram wristbands that are supposed to have magical effects on your balance though. That's just stupidity.