Swedish loss in fan match against Mexico: 'A bad rehearsal becomes a good premiere'

Swedish football fans experienced a tough 4-2 loss against a Mexican supporter team in Monterrey, in what was dubbed an unofficial "friendly" match. The game took place as a pre-World Cup warm-up for the Swedish contingent ahead of their national team's opening match against Tunisia.

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You usually say that a bad rehearsal leads to a good premiere.

The Swedish team, assembled by the supporter association Camp Sweden, comprised fans who did not know each other prior to the game. Musician Mats Sandahl, who scored the first goal for Sweden, commented, "You usually say that a bad rehearsal leads to a good premiere." He expressed hope that his goal would bring good luck to the Swedish national team.

Around a hundred Swedish supporters gathered at the private leisure club Sociedad Cuauhtémoc y Famosa to cheer on their team. Sandahl, who plays for Stocksunds IF in Sweden, admitted, "We should have pressured those Mexicans more." He hoped his goal would translate into a positive outcome for the main Swedish squad.

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We should have pressured those Mexicans more.

One of the Swedish fans, nurse Jeanette Malmborg, 57, from Gothenburg, shared her positive experience in Monterrey. "You feel so welcome in Monterrey. Mexicans are so friendly," she said. She and her husband decided to travel to Mexico after seeing Sweden win qualification matches. "Something like this only happens once in a lifetime," Malmborg stated, highlighting the unique nature of the experience.

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You feel so welcome in Monterrey. Mexicans are so friendly.

Pelle Nilsson Núñez, 50, a board member of Camp Sweden, described the supporter match as a success due to the enjoyment factor, despite the heat making play difficult. Unbeknownst to the Swedish team, several players on the Mexican side were former professional players, including one who had played for the Mexican top-tier club CF Monterrey. "The Swedes did really well. I will root for you against Tunisia," said Milton Montañez, a welder who played for the Mexican team.

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Something like this only happens once in a lifetime.