They say that absence makes the heart grow, so that may be why no love is lost between Sweden and Finland in the international circle.

The two Nordic nations have met annually for an international friendship since 1992, with Finland leads the match directly to the head 17-11, but when they meet again on Sunday it will be the second time in three months. This is because the two national troops already squared in August for EM semifinal, a game like Team Sweden train 22-14.

This means that this year’s traditional rivalry conflict will have a clearly different meaning than before, and will serve both as an upgrade for both sides ahead of their medal game at the end of the month and a chance for some sweet revenge from Finns.

“I have lived in Sweden since 2002, been a part of these games on and off all the time I have been here, and no matter what age group you play with, whether it is junior national team or senior national team, it is always a great thing to play Finland “, Explained Team Sweden head coach BD Kennedy as his team prepared for the match.

“Usually you play once in October and you have 12 months to think of revenge or to play each other again, but obviously a lot was at stake from an international perspective to win the semi-final. What it added to the rivalry between Finland and Sweden was enormous. Both teams are preparing for medal rounds in a couple of weeks and what is added above the normal rivalry I think sets up for a meaningful, exciting game. ”

While Finland will surely be justified by avenging their loss in the semi-finals, Sweden will have much more to think about. With a chance to tackle Italy on the 31st for one shot on the other European title in the country’s history, Sunday will be about ironing out all the drugs in the preparations. It was their last match against Finland which showed many of them, which Swedes went down 14-0 early due to some crucial errors. They will need to be cleaned quickly, but it was his team’s ability to strike back that has Kennedy the most confident on the way into the week.

“What I am probably most proud of is that no one panicked. We stayed and focused on just doing what we needed to do and we came up with the pieces we needed to win the game, he says. “It shows a lot of gravel. It shows a lot of focus and shows a lot of determination. ”

Team Sweden QB Phil Juhlin finds running room Photo: Jari Turunen

Some of these early mistakes can be abbreviated to lack of experience Sweden has gifted an extremely talented young core. This is another opportunity to get used to them on the international stage and more than usual will probably get a taste of it on Sunday.

Kennedy’s philosophy as coach of the national team is that no player should be on the list who can not trust to play meaningful snaps and everyone will have their opportunity to prove that he is right in this. The line-up will be almost identical to the semifinals, but the substitutions will come much faster and furious in the rematch.

“We have a lot of young players, so the list will be very similar, but there will also be some guys in the game that we want to watch and make sure we keep them on the European Championship list,” Kennedy explained. “We want some guys who have not played a match since the semi-final match in August to get some reps and some action. We will enter the game with the idea that we will play them all, because we have to see them in action. ”

The coach is happy to admit that the strategy will be a sensitive balance, with more than a little risk of getting stuck and looking ahead by a tough opponent. However, this will be a test for all his players to shoulder and the coaches will note who can be present and focused on the goal.

“What I am trying to emphasize, what we are trying to emphasize as staff is just to focus on the present, because that is the key. You can not go into this game and think about the game in a few weeks. You have to go into this game and know that every moment is itself, “Kennedy stressed.

“Now there may be something to shoot for. If I play really well, I can get on the EC list and secure my place. Sure, there is some of it in the background, but in my opinion you need to be able to focus on the moment and the task to be a championship player.

Everyone must perform to strike Finns and that’s how Kennedy wants it, giving his team a chance to become a cohesive unit in time for its biggest game in more than a decade and a half. While the anxiety is Sweden gets stuck and looks ahead, the coach sees himself back on the long road they have traveled. He can think of no better second to last stop on the hunt for gold.

“This journey started already in 2019 and it has been a wild journey with COVID. I can honestly say that I felt that the team we had organized in 2019 was really, really special. We’ve lost some guys, we’re missing some guys, we’ve added some new guys and we’re marching on, we’re here now during the last month of this trip, ”Kennedy thought. “Leading to the European Championships with the opportunity to play Finland in the traditional Finnkampen is a good way to end this journey.”

Team Sweden meets Team Finland on Sunday 17 October at 12.00 The game will be broadcast live on AFI.tv.