Board games, bracelets and bike rides - how Sweden avoid boredom at Euros

Straits Times

06-07-2025

CHAM, Switzerland - Sweden may spend most of their time focusing on football at the Women's Euros but in their downtime defender Magdalena Eriksson and her teammates are doing everything from playing board games and making bracelets to going on bike rides to avoid boredom.
However, when the games or deck of cards come out so too does Eriksson's competitive streak, which means in the time earmarked for relaxation there is another battle to win.
"Who do you think?" Eriksson said laughing when asked who the sorest loser in the team is, before pointing to herself.
"Actually, there's a lot of them -- maybe I'm the most outspoken in that way, but I think many, many in our team are really sore losers," she added.
Asked who the worst losers in the squad were, midfielder Hanna Bennison was not afraid to name more senior teammates.
"I would say Magda, Filippa (Angeldahl) and (Johanna) Rytting Kaneryd," the 22-year-old told Reuters. "I'm competitive but I'm not like a bad loser or a bad winner. I'm pretty relaxed and chilled."
Headquartered in a hotel in the picturesque Swiss town of Cham specifically designed to meet the needs of elite athletes, the Swedes feel they have the facilities and tranquillity they need, but the solitude does pose occasional problems.
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"As you can see, around here there is not much to do, but we have a village close by and a lake. Last night, we took some bikes down to the lake and had a swim, so we try to do these things to get out of this place a little bit as well," Eriksson said.
The weather has been so hot in Switzerland lately that players have been staying out of the sun to save energy, which has meant finding other ways to spend their time at the hotel.
"Sometimes we play games, we also make bracelets, like with plastic pearls, yeah? Otherwise, we have just been watching all the other games. Usually we sit together in the players' lounge and watch together," Bennison explained.
"We're following the games and watching the games, and we're training," Eriksson said. "We're focusing on recovery and gym, so I think, for the moment, we're finding things to do. And yeah, we're really enjoying this beautiful country."
With Eriksson nursing an unspecified injury that saw her miss the opening 1-0 win over Denmark, the hotel's gym and recovery facilities are essential as she seeks to regain fitness for the remaining Group C games against Poland and Germany.
"I think from a physical point of view, we have everything we need here to be at our best when the game comes, so it's a great facility in that way," Eriksson said.
Despite the Swedes' innate love of winter sports, none of them have paid a visit to the hotel's ice rink yet.
"I have not been out on the ice, and I shouldn't be -- then I might get another injury! No, I haven't heard of anyone who's been down there yet," Eriksson said. REUTERS