Endless Support in Gothenburg

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Indonesians watch a match between Indonesia’s LKG-SKF team and Portugal\'s AF Alcoitao in the Gothia Cup 2019 at the SKF Arena, Gothenburg, Sweden, Tuesday (16/7/2019). Every year, Indonesians flock to the stadium to support the Indonesian team in the Gothia Cup. They are happy to see Indonesian children competing, especially if the children win. They can also mingle at the field so that even though they are far from the homeland, they are still very red-white.

The “Red and White” spirit remains alive in Indonesians residing in Gothenburg, Sweden. They have lived in the city for decades, but their hearts remain connected to their homeland. They continue to nurture their love for Indonesia, including by supporting Indonesian youth soccer teams in the annual Gothia Cup.

“Keep your spirits up and do not be afraid. They’re just bigger than you, but you are better,” Ida Tallberg, 55, told members of the Liga Kompas Gramedia (LKG)-SKF Indonesia team.

Ida, from Pangkalan Brandan, North Sumatra, came with around a dozen Indonesians, young and old. They supported the LKG-SKF Indonesia team in a match against host team Stangebro United 2 in the top 64 round of the Gothia Cup’s Boys 15 group at the SKF Arena in Heden, Gothenburg, on Thursday (18/7/2019).

The yells of support from Indonesians amid the thunderous shouts of locals enflamed the Indonesian soccer players’ spirit. Yells of “Indonesia! Indonesia! Indonesia!” were endless throughout the match.

The yells were understandably more muted compared to those of locals who supported the Swedish team. However, due to the Indonesian supporters’ consistent yells, spectators from other nations ended up sympathizing with them and helped support the Indonesian team.

The Indonesian spectators supported the team wholeheartedly. They were proud of the young players’ high spirits, even though they ended up losing the match 1-4. Afterwards, the spectators approached the players, who cried and regretted their loss. They encouraged the young players, saying that there was still a long road ahead of them in their soccer career.

“Thank you all for your support during our time here. We fought until our last breath, but we failed,” said LKG-SKF Indonesia team striker Muhammad Faiz Maulana, 15.

The Gothia Cup is an international youth soccer championship that was established in 1975. Many soccer superstars, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alan Shearer began their careers there.

Full support

The Indonesians’ support extended beyond the soccer field. They also gave their full support outside the match. After a match between LKG-SKF Indonesia and IFK Eskilstuna 2 in the top 128 round on

Wednesday (17/7/2019) evening, for instance, many helped right defender Adlin Cahya Prastya, 15, who suffered a knee injury.

They helped Adlin walk to the medic room and ensured that the medics attended to him. When Adlin had to be taken to the hospital, 80-year-old Adolf Teintang immediately tried to find a stretcher. Despite his old age, Adolf, who comes from Minahasa, North Sulawesi, and has lived in Sweden since 1965, never thought twice before helping.

“We love the children so much. They are ambassadors of the nation and the country. Through their achievements, they give Indonesia a good reputation abroad,” said Adolf, who has been a Swedish citizen since the 1970s.

Beyond all of that, Indonesians in Gothenburg always provided Indonesian meals for the players. This was very helpful, as many of the young players were unfamiliar with European dishes.

Office leave

In order to watch the Indonesian team playing, many Indonesians in Sweden took office leave. Ida, an assistant at a hospital in Gothenburg, took leave throughout July for a summer vacation and to support Indonesian youths playing in the Gothia Cup.

“We routinely meet once a month to dine or just travel around together. The gathering we waited for the most, however, is when we support the Indonesian team at the Gothia Cup. We gather and support the Indonesian team, as it feels great. We can shout together,” said Ida, who has lived in Sweden for almost 25 years.

Sports diplomacy

Indonesians in Sweden fully support sports diplomacy in order to promote Indonesia globally. Achievements in sports can accelerate the dissemination of a country’s positive image abroad.

Unsurprisingly, since the Gothia Cup’s establishment in 1975, Adolf has been a fiercest campaigner who urges the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm to bring Indonesian teams to the competition. Adolf’s dream of seeing Indonesians competing in the Cup was finally realized 10 years ago.

“It feels proud to see Indonesian youths competing in an international competition. Other people know that Indonesians can also compete globally,” said Adolf, who competed in judo in the fifth National Sports Week (PON) in Bandung, West Java, in 1961.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Players of Indonesia’s LKG-SKF team meet supporters after being defeated by Stangebro United 2 of Sweden in the Gothia Cup 2019 at the SKF Arena, Gothenburg, Sweden, Tuesday (16/7/2019). LKG-SKF lost 1-4 in the international tournament for teenagers, which has been held since 1975.

Many Indonesians who live in Sweden are married to locals, work in the country or go to university there. They come from various regions: Sulawesi, Bali, Java and Sumatra. They may be a small population of less than one percent of Sweden’s total population of around 10 million people, but they remain solid and tolerant.

“Due to our small community, we are tight-knit. Here in the land of other people, the presence of those from our own country means so much. So, I am terribly sad whenever I hear news from Indonesia about people being divided because of politics,” Adolf said.