Hair is gone, the spark remains.
Marika Domanski Lyfors will never be completely healthy from her cancer, the malignant brain tumor cannot be operated away, but is back in service as national team manager and ready for the European Championship in Switzerland.
It's fantastic. It feels like you're living in some way. I'm back at work again. I had the goal of getting here, says Domanski Lyfors at a press conference at the national team's European Championship base in Cham.
Players' support warms
The European Championship was nothing she dared to hope for over a year ago, when the cancer message came.
Not in the beginning, no. Then I thought a lot of other things, if you say so. But then when I felt better, I felt, when it had just been a year, that "now I will be able to handle everything that a championship entails".
Now she's feeling very well, she says. Being back in the national team, which has become like a family, contributes. Marika Domanski Lyfors has, apart from a short trip abroad - she led China in the World Championship 2007 - been a part of the women's national team since 1991: as a guardian, assistant national team captain and national team captain. And since 2008 in a overarching management role.
The support from the players has kept her afloat during the year. When she is to describe how much it has meant, tears come creeping.
Now I almost get goosebumps, says Domanski Lyfors.
It has given me such strength and so much love that I have still been able to do everything I wanted to do, despite medication and such things.
Surprised by accolades
Especially, she remembers a day in March in Stockholm earlier this year when masses of former players and national team leaders surprised her with a tribute evening.
I think we were 60 people there. It was fantastic. I knew nothing about it. There was so much joy and sorrow and laughter. It was intense.
And these players we have here in the team ... it's invaluable. It has given a life to this year, I can say.
The 65-year-old national team manager has had a few tough years behind her. Before the European Championship 2022, her husband, former national team captain Ulf Lyfors, passed away. It has given new insights.
I've always been quite brave and I think it's important to feel, even if the odds aren't that good. To never lose hope.
And then I have felt during this year that I have almost lived four days in one day. It has been nice.
Lasse Mannheimer/TT
Facts: Marika Domanski Lyfors
TT
Born: May 17, 1960 (65 years old).
Does: National team manager for the women's national football team.
Main merits as a player: SM gold with Jitex 1981 and 1984, victory in the Swedish Cup with Jitex 1981, 1982 and 1984.
Main merits as a coach: World Championship silver 2003, European Championship silver 2001, TT's prize for Sports Leader of the Year 2003, TV4's Football Channel's honorary prize 2025.
Leadership career: Tyresö FF 1989–1993, national team captain for the U20 national team 1991–1993, assistant national team captain for the A national team 1992–1996, national team captain for the A national team 1996–2005, national team captain for the U21 national team 2005–2006, national team captain for China's A national team 2007, Swedish national team manager 2008–.
