Why is there a Swedish Tartan Army? We have no IKEA
Norse trio fell for national team after meeting fans
THREE Swedish nurses have become the toast of the Tartan Army after giving up supporting their perfectly good national team – in favour of Scotland.
And they described their journey as proud members of the Tartan Army as “life-changing”.
Elin Eidenstedt, Ida Sjolander Brander and Erika Johansson, aged between 29 and 31, have jetted across Europe to watch their adopted team play in five matches in the past year and have joined fans in Lithuania ahead of tonight’s crunch World Cup match.
The trio, who call themselves the Swedish Tartan Army, discovered their passion after meeting a rowdy bunch of Scotland fans in Malta while on holiday last September.
Scotland were playing a World Cup qualifier and the girls had so much fun with the travelling fans they went to Glasgow to watch the team play Lithuania the next month.
Elin said it was partying with Scots revellers at a bar a few days before the Malta match which ignited their love of Scotland.
She said: “We danced, sang and talked all night and we made so many friends. We had so much fun. It was a night I’ll remember forever.
“Visiting Scotland for the game was amazing too. It’s beautiful. The people are more welcoming. It’s not as sociable back in Sweden.”
Elin describes how being in the Tartan Army has helped her come out of her shell. The 31-year-old said: “It has taught me to be more sociable, confident and it encourages me to talk to people I’ve never met. I am more relaxed and I have learned just to be myself. It’s been life-changing.”
The first thing that struck the trio on their first encounter with the Tartan Army was the fervent pride Scots have for their country.
She said: “Scottish people love their country and are proud. In Sweden you can be proud, you just can’t come across as TOO proud.”
Elin laughs when asked about Scotland’s uneven performances but it doesn’t dampen their spirits too much while in the stands.
She said: “Obviously it would be more fun if they won more games.
“It surprises me that Scotland fans are always SO surprised that we support their team. I always ask them, ‘Why?’ You are so proud of your country. Why shouldn’t we?”
But the Swedes’ labour of love has not always been an easy ride. Elin admits she is still heartbroken as she recalls England’s last-minute equaliser against Scotland in June.
“I will never forget that,” she admitted. “It still hurts. They were so close to winning. I cried.”