The national football team lost 4–0 to 4–3 and escaped with just the shock against Algeria. But over time – and perhaps already now – it will be the lasting memory of the three goals from a guy who before the match had scored two goals in 27 international matches.
And note, he is a defender, albeit an offensive one, but not Alexander Isak or Viktor Gyökeres. When they were not there, he stepped forward, the 31-year-old who has only recently become a recurring name in a Swedish national team eleven.
First 1–0 and then 2–0, both with his right foot.
The evening was completed when Alexander Bernhardsson's fall gave a penalty a few minutes into the second half. Yasin Ayari took the ball, but handed it over to Sema.
Big thanks to Ayari
I want to direct a big thank you to him. It is he who is the penalty taker today and he gives me it. It was out of love. I did not ask. He just gave it to me and said "Of course you take it, brother", Sema says.
3–0, with the left foot this time.
King Ken, says national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has seen what Sema wants and can and given him the trust Sema has lacked over the years from one or another coach.
He loves to play in the national team. I hope he has a good pre-season. Because we want players who play every week, Tomasson says.
Team-mates enjoyed Sema's success.
We love Ken, his joy is infectious, his smile from ear to ear, Anton Salétros says.
”Tough for many years”
When Ken Sema comes to the so-called mixed zone and meets the journalists, he says he does not know where to start. Whereupon the words flow out like bubbles of joy.
I am extremely proud, happy. This is big, very big actually. This I will always remember. I know where I have been. It was tough for many years, but I have always come here, been positive and rubbed on for years.
Today I scored a hat-trick for the Swedish national team in football. It will not become much bigger, Sema says and it is seen and heard that he is genuinely moved.
As always, the family was on the stands.
They have always been there for me, regardless of whether I play or not. Nice to be able to pay back, Sema says.
It was the second time in his career that he scored a hat-trick.
The first time was in Ljungskile and it's been quite a few years since then.
The match ball had him with him into the locker room. As is the custom, the one who scores a hat-trick gets the ball.
It's going home to Norrköping, he says.
