By Lizzy Snell
Media Intern
The border battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin is well-known in the Midwest. But take a trek across the Atlantic and you will hear about an infamous border battle between Sweden and Norway.
The 24th annual SCHWAN’S USA CUP, presented by PUMA has attracted teams hailing from both countries. Athletes from Sweden and Norway are well aware of the rivalry and were more than willing to dish out jokes against the opposing side.
“What separates man from the apes?” asked U16 KFUM player Torbjoern Stoerkersen, 15. “The Swedes!”
Lars Kullerud, 16, another KFUM player briefly explained the Swedish-Norwegian history.
“Yeah, see the thing is the Swedes, they have stolen a lot of our land, and we want it back,” he said with a smile. “And we’re starting a war, along in the next month. So you just tell them to be ready.”
In the early 1800s, Norway was ceded to Sweden as part of the Treaty of Kiel. Norway however, declared its independence, adopted its own constitution and elected a new king. Sweden invaded Norway in order to uphold the treaty. A short war followed, and ended with a personal union between the two countries which lasted until 1905 when it was peacefully dissolved, per Norway’s request.
A second joke used by KFUM was one that the U14 and U15 Azalea girls’ teams from Sweden had already told.
“Why do Swedes always crawl on their knees in the grocery shops?” Kullerud asked. “To search for low prices.”
When Kullerud was told that the Swedish girls had already used the same joke against Norway he cried out, “They’re lying!”
Rudbeckianska, the U19 boys’ team from Sweden said the rivalry is oftentimes overplayed a bit, but it does exist.
“The Norwegian players are jealous of us because we’re better in soccer,” said Asos Amin, an 18-year-old Swedish defender. “That’s why they make jokes.”
Amin added that Swedish soccer players do not need to make jokes, because their soccer skills will speak for themselves.
“The Swedish national team is always better,” he said. “Swedish soccer is better. Sweden is always in the finals.”
Max Berglund, 19, a midfielder for Rudbeckianska and was quick to add that Rudbeckianska won this year’s Schwan’s USA CUP Weekend Championship, the 2007 Weekend Championship, the 2006 Weekend Championship and Week Championship.
“Four titles in two years,” Berglund said grinning.
Left: Max Berglund (center) of Rudbeckianska from Sweden moves the ball past the Woodbury Predators in Thursday's afternoon game. Rudbeckianska will try to earn bragging rights against Norway when playoffs begin on Friday.
But KFUM has had success at Schwan’s USA CUP as well. KFUM played in the tough U16 vElite tournament during this year’s Schwan’s USA CUP Weekend Tournament. They qualified for the semifinals before losing a tough overtime shootout to Bermuda.
Rudbeckianska finished 2-1 in round robin play and will start playoffs Friday morning. KFUM will start their playoffs against Ramapo Valley Torna, from New York on Friday. Both Azalea teams finished second in their preliminary groups and will also start playoffs on Friday.
Only on Saturday afternoon, when championship medals are handed out, will it be determined who won this year’s border battle.
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