Skål! How to play the Swedes at their own game
Having people round for tomorrow’s crucial England match? Show you’re a good sport by adopting a Scandi theme, says Dan Jude
If you believe the social media memes, the overexcited press and just about every English man, woman and child drunk on sunshine and optimism, football is, after 52 long years of hurt, coming home. England’s penalty heroes, led by waistcoated national treasure Gareth Southgate, are absolutely, positively, going to be lifting the World Cup trophy next Sunday. The quarter-final match, which kicks off at 3pm tomorrow, is set to become the most watched television event in recent history, with some 25million predicted to tune in across the country. Such is the clamour for a prime viewing spot that pubs have warned they’ll reach capacity hours before the game starts. So, unless you fancy staking a spot pre-lunchtime – before getting showered in warm lager should England score – now might be the time to start thinking about hosting your own World Cup viewing party. And during the hottest summer in living memory, a World Cup viewing party with a cool Scandi twist sounds infinitely more appealing that perspiring for several hours inside a clammy pub. You needn’t feel any shame about taking the best of what our opponents have to offer while supporting England either – the themed screening party is a growing trend (sales of mussels went through the roof when England played Belgium). What better opportunity, then, to jump on the bandwagon than against Sweden, a country with a rich culinary and cultural history? Here’s how to get the party started, Scandi style…
What to eat
Sweden may be famed for meatballs and Daim bars, but there’s a lot more to Scandinavian cooking that the Ikea café’s most popular items. A Scandi smörgåsbord, a type of Swedish buffet, is perfect for parties, as everything can be prepared in advance and there’s zero cooking required. To start off your smörgåsbord, stock up on