Sweden got off to a dream start by winning their first game of the 2018 World Cup 1-0 against South Korea, thanks to a penalty from captain Andreas Granqvist, meaning they matched Mexico at the top of Group F with three points.
So happy were the Swedes that the supporters who travelled for the game managed to drink up most of the beer in the city centre before a ball had even been kicked, according to reports.
“Yup, some places had already run out by yesterday. The city has never had to arrange something on this scale before, so they've been completely taken by surprise,” the Swedish Football Association's head of security Martin Fredman told Sportbladet.
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If the Swedes were thirsty before kick-off, then they were only going to be even more in the mood for a party following their perfect start to the World Cup.
“The beer in central Novgorod ran out today after the Swedish success. That alone shows how many of us there are here and the party atmosphere there is,” supporter Carl Eriksson told local newspaper Corren on Monday following Sweden's win.
Despite a heavy head or two the Swedish fans now face a near 2,000 kilometre trip south to Sochi, where Sweden face reigning world champions Germany on June 26th. That game is their chance to secure qualification for the knockout round if they can pull off the difficult feat of claiming a further three points with a win over the Germans.
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