The long-standing national team manager, previously the captain of the Swedish women's football team, was struck by a brain tumor last year. The tumor is malignant and cannot be operated on, and she will never be declared healthy again, says Marika Domanski Lyfors now.
I'm feeling pretty good, I think. I've been through some treatments and I think I've handled them well. Unfortunately, it's not like I'll get healthy, but I'll try to be one of those who live a little longer, says the 64-year-old in an interview on TV4's "Efter fem".
With all the love I get from very many, I think it can make a difference. These are my days now, and I'm trying not to stay at home and think about maybe dying soon.
"Means a lot"
Football still means a lot to me, it always has. Her impact on the sport has not gone unnoticed, and on Thursday, she was awarded Football Channel's honorary award, which is presented together with the Swedish Football Association to someone who has made significant contributions to Swedish football.
I think everyone should feel that they are part of this award. I could never have done all this without everyone I've had around me. I'm happy. It also means a lot in this situation I'm in, says Marika Domanski Lyfors.
Dreams of the European Championship
Except for a short stint abroad – she led China in the 2007 World Championship – she has been part of the Swedish women's national team since 1991: as a scout, assistant captain, and captain. And since 2008, in a comprehensive leadership role.
The goal is to follow this summer's football European Championship in Switzerland on site.
I hope I'll feel a little better, and I hope I'll be able to work a little in the spring, and be part of the European Championship finals in Switzerland this summer. That's as far as I've dared to think.
"Few Swedish coaches have led a blue-yellow national team to the World Championship final. Even fewer have won World Championship silver, two European Championship silver, two Olympic Games silver, and three World Championship bronze. As a uncompromising defender and midfielder, she won two Swedish championships and three cup titles, but it's primarily the successes as a leader that are unparalleled. The 2003 World Championship silver is the highlight after a narrow loss to Germany, and this year's award winner has not forgotten the questionable free kick behind the Germans' winning goal. Since 2008, leadership has been exercised from behind the Swedish bench as national team manager, and many have been able to benefit from the experiences and competence of one who knows what it takes at the highest level. She has tirelessly fought to drive women's football forward and has been a constant when Sweden has secured a spot in the world top.
Source: TV4.
Marika Domanski Lyfors was born on July 17, 1960 (64 years old).
She has been the national team manager of the women's football team since 2008. Domanski Lyfors was the captain of the women's national team from 1996 to 2005 and led Sweden to European Championship silver in 2001 and World Championship silver in 2003.
She was also the captain of China's women's national team in 2007 before returning to the Swedish Football Association.
She was married to the former captain Ulf Lyfors, who passed away in 2022.
In April 2024, it was announced that the 64-year-old had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Domanski Lyfors has since undergone surgery, and after follow-up tests, it was confirmed that the tumor cannot be operated on.
