Euro 2012: Little Stockholm prays for win

 
15 June 2012

Hundreds of Swedish expats were praying for victory over their adopted country today as they gathered in a church in Marylebone to watch the match against England.

The Ulrika Eleonora Church has been decked out in the national colours of yellow and blue.

Caretaker Oskar Wanehag, 23, said it was one of only two Swedish churches in the UK and an important hub for London’s 50,000-strong Swedish expat community.

“It’s like a community centre,” he said. “It’s not just us — the Swedish church does this abroad, we have this in Berlin and other places. We won the Eurovision Song Contest — let’s hope we can get a similar result.”

Chaplain Anders Rune, 34, who moved to London from Stockholm two years ago, said he was “very excited”. “In my heart I’m hoping for a 2-1 win, but my mind says maybe a draw is more realistic,” he said.

The church is in Harcourt Street, known as “Little Stockholm” as it is close to the Swedish Embassy and the Swedish Chamber of Commerce.

Tickets to watch the game in the Harcourt pub across the road, another expat favourite, sold out in days. Bar worker Stina Thanner, 19, from Gothenburg, said: “We have a lot of Swedish flags. English ones too. And of course Kopparberg cider. It’s going to be buzzing.”

The Nordic Bar, in Fitzrovia, is also preparing for a throng of Sweden fans. Chantal Duncan, who works behind the bar, said: “I’m a big football fan and I’m one of the few English people working here. I think I’ll stay neutral.”

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