Tele2 Arena was turned off, Carolina's "Through It All" thundered from the loudspeakers, and Caroline Seger walked out onto the mat with former teammates and other friends on both sides of a long blue mat.
At the front stood Marika Domanski Lyfors, the long-time national team coach who has been struck by a malignant brain tumor that cannot be operated on. The two were united in a warm and emotional hug.
"So proud"
It was clearly tough, but fine. I've said all along that it's been incredibly important for me that she would be present, so I'm so grateful that she had the energy to share that moment with me, says Caroline Seger and continues:
It will be forever in both my heart and when we can look back. Then we'll have that memory together.
Domanski Lyfors had recorded a video greeting, which rolled on the big screen.
I'm so proud that I got to take you out to the national team in 2005. You came like a whirlwind, one might say, to the squad at the European Championship 2005. You said you would decide the entire European Championship, you didn't do that, but you conquered the entire football world.
In the stands, Soft Hooligans – the women's national team's supporter club – had a blue and yellow tifo with the text "Forever our captain" and Seger in half-body. Over 12,000 spectators were present when the national team secured European Championship play next summer with a big win against Serbia.
They've also been on a journey. Where it's just grown and grown. Getting to experience that journey with them has been unique, says Seger about the supporter support.
"Terribly tough"
The farewell has almost been going on for a year. First in Málaga a year ago after the last national team gathering and now in November with the club team Rosengård after the seventh SM gold of her career.
Now Seger is definitely closing the book on her long playing career.
Terribly tough. It's only now when you land, come home, and there's nothing left. There's no celebration, there are no matches, there's no camp or any SM buckle to chase. It's really over.
It's hard to take in, she says.
It will take time for me, and I know it will also come in waves of emotions. But I'm aware of it, and it's just a matter of hanging on, as best I can. It will be empty, definitely.
Born: March 19, 1985, in Gantofta (39 years old).
Position: Central midfielder.
Club: Rosengård.
Home club: Gantofta IF.
Senior clubs: Stattena 2001–2004, Linköping 2005–2009, Philadelphia 2010, Western New York Flash 2011, Ldb FC Malmö 2011, Tyresö 2012–2014, Paris Saint-Germain 2014–2016, Lyon 2016–2017, Rosengård 2017–2024.
International caps/goals: 240/32.
Merits in selection: Olympic silver 2021 and 2016, World Championship bronze 2023, 2019, and 2011, European Championship bronze 2005, 2013, and 2022, Diamond Ball 2009 and 2019, SM gold with Tyresö 2012, with Ldb Malmö 2011, with Linköping 2009, and with Rosengård 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. League winner in the USA with Western New York Flash 2011, French champion, cup winner, and Champions League winner with Lyon 2017.
