At the bandy
What a night! Smiling Bajen faces at last as the first Bandy match of the Swedish season saw Hammarby’s bandy team narrowly beat Broberg 6-5.
Hammarby Bandy
There is something very different about the atmosphere at Bandy. I cannot put my finger on it but I urge all foreigners in Sweden to give Bandy a try. Its very friendly, a mixed crowd, some very funny characters and an exciting sport. Hammarby were losing 5-4 in the last few minutes and they turned it around to win.
Hammarby Bandy supporters
This is actually part of the old stand. The 'old boys' didnt want to leave their old stand so they left a bit of it behind for them!
Of course it wasnt all laughs last night as there were a minute silence for Per Svensson. This was a nice touch by the club and from what I hear Per is going to be sadly missed at the club.
Minutes silence
At half time we were kindly invited into the VIP section of the supporters tent. This was great, they served whisky as well as beer, and even Bandy Coffee which is laced with spirits, just to keep you warm you understand. I had on my long johns and winter socks but it wasnt that cold in the end, it was probably a game too soon for that. I have learned though that in Sweden you never leave anything to chance as far as the weather is concerned.
The boys with the Bandy World Cup
Yours truly with the Bandy World Cup
We watched the second half from the corner really close to the players, the action was intense and some of the challenges seemed bone-crunching.
Hammarby Bandy
After the match we camped in the Southside Pub on Hornsgatan to watch Leicester beat QPR. It was one of those magical nights which wasn’t planned. We left at chucking out time and I was rather tipsy. The boys bundled me out of a cab at Gullmarsplan and I took a rather lovely walk home.
At one point during the football I popped off for a korv and met two Broberg fans, you can see them in the photos, quality guys considering they had lost, turns out they are also Everton fans. Söderhamn is about 300kms north of Stockholm, it only has 26,000 inhabitants and as there is no Hockey or football team then they are fanatical about Bandy.
broberg fans!
Take a look at the rest of the Hammarby Bandy photos, have a look at the characters and if you are an exile in Stockholm then get down to Zinkensdamm one night, you wont regret it.
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Aww that looks heaps fun! But really cold.