En engelsman och bandy
(Foto H. Liljeberg)

An Englishman's first encounter with Bandy!

So this is it - the game of Bandy. This was our second trip to Sweden. Our first trip -to renew our friendship with Hans Liljeberg and Erik Hjelte - was in the summer of last year. "You must come over in the winter next and see our Bandy team - Falu BS", they said.

So here I was on a cold (by English standards!), snowing, Sunday afternoon to watch Falu BS take on the men from Västerhås, in the compact Lugnets stadium. Being familiar with the game of hockey the rules didn't present a problem - in fact this is more like hockey on ice than ice-hockey. Despite the warnings of our friends the ball wasn't difficult to follow - even through the thick snow that was falling quicker than it could be removed from the playing surface. So much so that the game was changed to three, thirty minute periods to accommodate breaks for snow clearing, on a day when the English footballing prima-donnas (wimps) would have had their agents negotiating a day off!

Hans, who has been watching Falu BS since 1966 - two years before he became addicted to West Bromwich Albion FC (my home team), explained that on a day without the snow the game would be played a lot faster and more along the ice. Even with the snow the game was fast and skilful - its speed and movement makes for great spectator sport. And here was Falu BS (my adopted Swedish bandy team) sitting on top of the table taking on the rest of Sweden and beating them.

A word of praise for the goalkeeper, who brought off a stunning last period save - I thought football goalkeepers were a little mad, but to
face that ball screaming at you head height and opposition players, who all looked like giants bearing, down on you at great speed. Well that either takes great courage or a little insanity - or, perhaps a balance of the two? Anyway, perched on my crutches - thanks to a fall causing a broken leg in Leksand two days earlier, Lynda (my wife) and I thoroughly enjoyed our baptism to a new sport. I can fully understand the enjoyment that bandy followers gain from watching their heroes battle it out with the opposition.

After cruising into a deserved three goal lead it was disappointing to let in two late goals and cause some concern for the home supporters, who occasionally raised a few "football like chants" to encourage their idols. The game ended with Falu BS still on a fantastic unbeaten run and then the draw for the play-off competition. Lynda identified a new hero for herself - young Patrick Anderbro, who reminded her of Niall Quinn (Sunderland and Ireland goal scorer). But for me it was the Russian, Sergei Obuhov who caught the eye converting Falu's good approach play into goals - just as Lee Hughes does for West Brom!

FBS still top dogs in Sweden - yes, or as the Falun newspaper interpreted the initials - "Fucking Bäst i Sverige". Now, I wonder how that translates into English? Thanks to Hans, thanks to Hans dad, Åke - especially for those welcome hot drinks during the game! Thanks Falu BS - for a great afternoon of sport. See you again soon, and good luck for the rest of the season - you deserve to be Champions !

Lynda and Tony Vass
Purley, ENGLAND