Sweden Denmark Rivalry Extends Beyond The Pitch

The Sweden Denmark rivalry on the football pitch is well known but these two Scandinavian nations have a competitive and comparative relationship that transcends mere sporting encounters. The Euro 2016 play-off game twixt the two countries in November might decide who goes through to the finals in France next year, but regardless of result this inter-nation rivalry is going nowhere.

Sweden Vs Denmark
• Euro 2016 qualifying play-off
• Rivalry between neighbors
• Sport, economy and the Muppets

There are a good number of neighboring nations that have an ongoing rivalry of one sort or another. The most notable examples tend to involve words like “skirmish”, “raid” and “airstrikes” but not all of them are so violent, and a good number merely extend to the level of somewhat cruel jokes, some mild political and diplomatic hijinx, as well as a distinctly nationalistic view of sporting encounters twixt the two. Some have even managed both with India and Pakistan apparently able to fight wars against each other in between Cricket matches.

The Sweden Denmark rivalry is thankfully not of the militaristic variety, and indeed the last time they were hostile in that manner towards each other is now nearly 400 years gone, the two nations linked by a 16km long bridge, they tend to keep it to minor instances of press agitation and sporting occasions. The Euro 2016 qualifying play-offs that have drawn the two nations together almost certain to be a focal point this November for anyone taking advantage of Sweden gambling laws to bet on the game at ComeOn! Sportsbook or Bet365.

However whilst fans of both sides in the Sweden Denmark rivalry are cheering their teams on towards France, and the teams are hoping some of the more unsavory moments of their shared football history don't repeat themselves, both sides will be aware that their proximity lends itself towards comparison by those, typically outside Europe, who are often surprised they're actually different places, albeit different places they're entirely unable to find on an unmarked map of the planet.

Sweden Denmark Rivalry Many Layered

The differences between these two nations are subtle but distinct and the Sweden Denmark rivalry has a good starting point in the fact that Sweden is entirely better known and enjoys a higher level of presence in popular cultural thought and the zeitgeist's backing track. Many of us grew up with the Swedish chef on the Muppets, spent our teen years day dreaming of Swedish blondes, and in our adult years secretly sing along to ABBA in the shower before we go for a day's shopping at IKEA.

The Danes may well consider this slightly unfair, making them the dull cousins as it were, but being the home of Lego is hardly competition, and mentioning Noma (arguably the best restaurant in the world) hails from Denmark just highlights how few people knew that in the first place. Danish successes tend not to be associated with the nation of origin, Swedish successes tend to fan the flames of popular reputation and they are forever gambling news coverage will spread the Swedish brand even further.

Oddly Danes are far more avidly Danish that this would suggest, their pride in their national symbols, their flag in particular, which is almost ubiquitous regardless of place or occasion, in a manner that the Swedes simply don't bother with. The Sweden Denmark rivalry does not sway into flag waving, the Danes have that sewn up already, although the Swedes do tend to take pride in what their countrymen make or sell, with IKEA not just being a export business, hugely successful at home too.

Frequently Both Mistaken For Elsewhere

Naturally beyond Europe the Sweden Denmark rivalry is somewhat blunted in evidence by both nations tending to be confused for completely different nations. Travelers relay tales of being accused of yodeling and eating cheese with holes in it up a mountain because some people confused Sweden with Switzerland, and the Danes have to put up with some people believing Danes speak Dutch and have a soft-drug, prostitution and wooden shoe fixation. It is therefore very much a private little feud.

In the real world Sweden enjoys slightly better economic circumstances which means rents are around 20% cheaper, consumer prices are 15% lower, and utilities are over 50% less expensive than in Denmark, with the Danes only really enjoying slightly cheaper beer by way of recompense in this fiscal Swedish Denmark rivalry, and Swedes turning up to drink cheap on weekends does nothing to help the situation. Of course those that like to bet on sports in Sweden won't worry about any of that, because they have Ibrahimovic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has so far failed to make a real impression on the Euro 2016 qualifiers which means he's overdue to do something spectacular and these mid-November games could be just the stage on which to do it, but whether he leads his national side out to victory or defeat the Sweden Denmark rivalry will continue on numerous levels of consciousness despite just how similar and friendly the two nations actually are. After all, this is football, and not something trivial like warfare.