The grandstand of Nya Ullevi arena shook from the applause, stamps and whistles from the
capacity crowd when the 35th Opening Ceremony welcomed the world to Gothia Cup 2009. Johan Boding, the host of the night, began with the words “Welcome world” and got a huge response. The evening became more emotional when the first 13 nations marched in and received a standing ovation from each of the 52,000 spectators in the stadium. Like doves of peace white dressed girls carried each nation’s flag high and proudly. And behind them followed players from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Georgia.

Expectant smiles on decorated faces from the red-yellow-black Germans on the top of the grandstand all the way down to the green Brazilians in the front arena stalls. Their expectations were fulfilled explosively when the song “I Kissed A Girl” rocked the stage away. Pictures flashed by on a gigantic TV screen and showed famous figures from the football world celebrating and embracing. The football party was going and Johan Boding gave the audience a question to think about during the show. What is the Gothia Cup?

Time for the next 16 nations to enter the arena. Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Malaysia, Marocko. The Opening Ceremony changed when the march was over. A moment of silence past away in no time when the tones of “Thriller” started to beat from the stereo loudspeaker. The musical tribute to the king of pop was performed by 400 dancers. All wearing black and white clothes, hat and a single glove, dancing to the classic moves of Michael Jackson.

One gang of football players had waited long enough. It was time to enter the green stage of grass. Congo, Kenya, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia. Even though players, leaders, parents and friends from 63 countries gathered at the stadium without understanding each others languages, it didn’t prevent the atmosphere at the stadium. The Opening Ceremony talked the language everybody understands, singing and dancing. The field turned black when the referees were honoured with their own parade and referee song.

Mimmi Sandén made the audience go crazy by performing the great song “Hero”. Afterwards it was finally time for Mexico, Moldavia, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Accept musik there was also a competition. The competition was in Guitar Hero and broke world record when 52,000 stood up and waved with their coloured plastic flags at the same time.

There were even more high quality music. The successful pop-soul singer Agnes Carlsson, also winner of the Swedish Idol, sang her hit song ”Release Me”. The evening continued with the song “Thank You For loving Me” to honour all the parents for their invaluable participating in their kid’s life. Back to what Gothia Cup I all about. Six young players swore an oath on Arabic, French, German, Spanish, Swedish and English. In front of the eyes of football representatives from all over the world, the swore to always respect each other.

Five nations were left. The nations with the largest numbers of participants, England, USA, Norway, Germany. And finally with an ocean of applause, to the tones of “Final Countdown” and “Mamma Mia” – Sweden! A gigantic Swedish flag was folded up and floated in the air over the green field. The best way to finish a party like this is of course to answer the question that everybody, after this show, has their own answer to. What is Gothia Cup? Gothia Cup is champions, all the champions who participate just by being here. ”We Are The Champions” will never be better than when 52,000 real fighters sang it together and finished by screaming out their joy to a fantastic show of fireworks. Girls and boys, make shore you have your best week of your life here with us at Gothia Cup!

Text: Julia Peric
Photo: Carl Sandin