Figure 1.--Sweden was neutral during World War II. Unlike most of Europe, although the economy was hurt, there was a semblance of normality throughout the War. This meant that the Swedes continued to play sports like soccer. Here we see three prominent soccer players and one of their sons. The pres caption read, "'Massas' 4 årige son Stig får en första inblick i fotbollssparkandets svåra konst av Brageidolerna Erik Eriksson (kapten), Sigvard Hjärpe och pappan 'Massa' . Georg Johansson . Copyright BM-bild ." That means something like, "Massas" 4 year old son Stig get a first glimpse of soccer kicking the difficult art of Bragi Idols Erik Eriksson (captain), Sigvard Hjärpe and father "Massa". Georg Johansson. Copyright BM-image. The photograph was dated December 30, 1943.

Gymnastics was the first sport of anyimprtance in Sweden, a trend begun on the Continent. Football followed gymnastics. It was more of a British influence. The earliest football games we note (1870s). They seem to have been organized by the existing gymnastic clubs. The game rapidly became popular. Official ruleas appeared when clubs in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Visby (1885). The first international club match was played (1890). The first match with modern rules was played soon after (1892). The Svenska Idrottsförbundet Association organized the first Swedish national football tournament--Svenska Mästerskapet (1896). As a result of the Association, Gothenburg for many years was the dominant football town in Sweden. The Svenska Mästerskapet tournament was played until 1925 when the first national league, Allsvenskan, was founded. The IFK associations began playing football (1890s). The first Kamratmästerskap (IFK championship) in football was arranged (1901). Sweden was one of the few places in Europe where normal sports activities continued through World War II. Football has grown spectacularly after World War II, especially youth sports. There are currently around 3,300 clubs with 32,700 teams and some 1 million members. About half a million are active players.

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Created: 4:56 AM 11/12/2016
Last updated: 4:56 AM 11/12/2016