Now we do this – infinity is our great adventure
Sweden entered the WC last night.
Aftonbladet Kultur’s Jack Hildén and Minna Höggren set out in the Stockholm night to capture a WC summer when everything is still possible.
22:54
MH: It’s completely empty on the subway platform, how the hell is it possible that they managed to “exacerbate” the problem on the red line? Jack is always early and I’m always late. When I arrive at Sturehof in my Sweden jersey from Intersport’s children’s section, it turns out that Jack has brought a dead microphone. He had a job!!!! The staff receives the small box with the microphone that needs to be charged with grim supervision. Amateurs.
23:05
JH: Ordering two glasses of cava with an excited thought of filming and giving Memory when she gets here. The first thing that happens, however, is that a tourist, possibly Russian, asks: “Are you the famous Swedish chef?” Thinking about saying yes but don’t dare, don’t even dare to point at that little curly guy next to me who is in “Sweden’s Master Chef”. He has glassy eyes and seems to be there with his family.
23:19
JH: Gets a “chat” with Djurgården’s former sports manager Boss Andersson. Which of course goes against everything I stand for. But he’s supposed to be in the SVT studio at seven in the morning and if I interpret him correctly, he’s supposed to stay 24 hours, he was also at “Boda” yesterday, that is Thomas Bodstrom and is behind.
23:50
MH: Laughed out loud when Jack ran towards Bosse without a mic with only Sportbladet’s puff cover in hand. There is no culture puff because we rarely leave our desks. Tonight is the exception. Jack drinks so damn fast. Japan have equalized against the Netherlands, the microphone is charging, it’s a good vibe at Sturehof, perfect charging with seafood platter. “This is a bit like being at Expressen’s culture party,” says Jack. “It feels wrong to be out because it’s Monday, but you still stop at Stureplan.” Jack orders his second tequila.
00:33
JH: Minna vibrates with restlessness at the prospect of interviewing some fags in Sweden shirts, and of course I want to go meet her. Personally, I feel that the job is done – I have already spoken to Voldemort alias Bosse Andersson, who I thought was annoyingly nice. Have to take cover behind the classic fraternization that the World Cup is supposed to mean – we are a country now, not a club team. Now it’s time to humiliate ourselves at Sturehof before we move on.
01:23
MH: I’m about to lose it because the mic bastard isn’t working. We walk along Kungsgatan and the only thing you hear is the sound of the cleaning truck and some distant human noise in the form of “we are guuuul and we are blue”; apocalyptic much. Now it’s off to the South. This is going to be a cultural text but I’m really here mostly to be Jack’s alibi so he can be off tomorrow. When we arrive at the subway, it is closed. I thought the whole city was living under a state of emergency? We get to take an electric scooter to Söder. Jack is a true boomer and has never ridden and screamed like a girl when it “goes too fast”, oh my god. Isn’t kick off soon?
02:05
JH: The string of terrible bars on Folkungagatan – that’s where you end up whether you want to or not. Ivory Coast-Ecuador 0-0 at half-time. Just writing that makes me shiver with love for what is the World Cup.
03:08
MH: Omg it’s getting light outside. I love staying up until the sun returns, many get anxiety from it but I feel I value my youth. Maybe because Jack starts talking about what it’s been like for him to become a parent. I thought it felt like in “Sex and the city” when Miranda storms out of the room because her friends only talk about dicks and men, but now it’s children and their sleeping routines. I’m happy for Jack, but even when Sweden is playing in the World Cup, I can’t avoid talking about the offspring. Snore. The photographer Stephen appears and saves me. And the wonderful guys Hugo, Noel, Liam who called in sick to watch the match. But Central bar closes soon and we meet the bright milky sky outside the bar, the starting line-up has been released. Now we do this.
03:22
MH: There is an absolutely incredible atmosphere at Trädgården. Ugh now I’m hit with that deep love for humanity. The first person I recognize in the crowd is Lawen RedarKnight of the Garden. I love Lawen Redar!
03:31
JH: Took for granted that the roar that rose when we got out of the photographer’s car was some kind of “rigged” sound that the Garden had fixed via speakers placed in the bridge. But it was really people who stood and shouted. Unbelievable! It actually feels “international”. This is the first time I’ve been to the Garden where it doesn’t just feel like one or more guards want to kill me. But maybe this is what “after ski” is.
03:59
JH: I’m getting hungry but I’m reborn! The collective excitement is like balm for the soul. Why don’t we do this every weekend. Time for kick-off.
04:06
JH: The euphoria is quickly replaced by; “disgust” is probably the wrong word, but when they play “Olé” chants for every session that goes right after six minutes, I can feel that it’s not for me. Then steps Yasin Ayari into the picture. Minna buys sausages of course. Too bad for our angle, fun for everyone else.
04:21
JH: Abominable dawn, not to say daylight. Secondary chemical anxiety sprung from going home from closed open airs. Without chemistry.
04:23
MH: After my chicken burger, I’m getting tired. Can’t we just call it now?
04:51
MH: Half. Furious that Jack wants to go home. Now we’re doing this right??? He thinks we should watch the match from home. So. Fucking. Low. The sun peeks through the clouds. I’m ready to leave Jack behind. Earlier in the evening I said that we have to get “In motion” off Karin Boye in some way. Jack sits down with his computer and ties up his sack ready to go home. I refuse to accept that and am writing this as an alternate ending. It stands for damn 2-1?? Anything can happen?? At Trädgården is everything a dream? Jack goes to the toilet and I think this is when it happens. Now he leaves me behind. A jacked-up person scolds Jack. It’s only half time, after all. Markolio is played in the speaker.
05:04
JH: I wish you could leave me behind. I’m used to a wonderful existence where I leave everyone without saying goodbye. Now it’s Minna plus photographer and a pretty strong legitimate objection that we have to finish what we started. But what can I say – it’s at this point that the generational differences make themselves felt and those who have a life often want to go home to it.
05:15
MH: Jack calls some cheering supporters whores for chanting.
MH: We shake hands that Jack gets to go home if it’s 3-1
JH: Ayan says that Viktor Gyökeres is like a big colossus – she doesn’t mean it in a good way. A minute later he scores. It doesn’t take anything away, it just highlights his bluntness compared to Isaac’s elegance.
MH: Jack goes home.
05:49
MH: The little morning sun has gone into the clouds, it will be 4–1 and then 5–1. People start moving home or get on a Voi to work. I’m proud of us, that the Swedes (except Jack) pulled together. We are Sweden’s cultural life, and we love it. Infinite is our great adventure.
Jack Hildén is a writer and temporary deputy culture director at Aftonbladet.
Minna Höggren is a writer at Aftonbladet’s culture. In 2024, her debut book “The Love Gap – Dating and Science” was published.
