How Swede It Is
Soccer star Chris Lofgren gets his kicks at Nazareth
Who says Volvo, Ikea, and meatballs are Sweden’s greatest exports? Nazareth soccer star Chris Lofgren '10 (Höllviken, Sweden) turns heads on campus with snazzy clothes, and on the soccer pitch with a fake-out that sends opponents scrambling.
"He steps over the ball, then flips it back behind the other leg. It's a deceptive move that eludes his defender," said coach Danny Gilbertson. "He's got a left foot that could open a can of baked beans."
With other players from England, Bulgaria, Ghana, and Ecuador, the men's soccer team is its own global village. At one point, the coach claims, Chris wanted to change his name to Chrizinho to sound like he was from Brazil, home of the world's greatest players.
"It's funny," Gilbertson said. "He's a Swedish kid who wears Italian clothes and wishes he were from Brazil."
We tracked Chris down over the summer in his hometown of Höllviken to find out how he gets his kicks:
So what's Höllviken like?
It is a quiet, small town right by the beach. Full of life in the summer, and pretty dead in the winter.
What do you miss about Nazareth?
I miss soccer and my team, and I wish the season were much longer. I also love the fact that all my Naz friends live within five minutes of me. I miss my friends, my everyday life, and all the random activities that take place on campus.
Does your signature move have a name—maybe the "Swedish switcheroo"?
I suppose we could call it "The Lofgren," even if I stole it from pro player Zlatan Ibrahimovic!
What do you do for fun in Rochester?
Downtown is usually a fun and safe bet. Then there is "the mixer"! You can't say you're a Naz student until you have been to your first mixer.
Do you have a nickname?
A couple of my teammates call me Leo, as in Leo DiCaprio. They ask me about Titanic, put pictures of DiCaprio in my locker, and comment on my hair.
More Q & A with Chris
So what's different about living in the United States?
A lot of things are different. Your highways have more lanes, and I was a bit worried at first when I started driving. You turn right when at a red light, we don't. The problem was that nobody told me! Our sales tax is included when a price is listed, yours isn't. Because of that, I did on several occasions come short of cash when buying groceries or clothes. It's everyday things that are weird to me and natural to Americans.
What misconceptions do Americans have about Sweden?
Blonde and blue eyes! I'm sure it used to be like that, but it's not anymore. We have plenty of nationalities in Sweden these days. It is very multicultural. Americans think we all have IKEA furniture, live for meatballs, drive Volvos, love ABBA, and have at least one sibling named Inga or Sven. It's all the stereotypes, basically.
But aren't you glad they know something about your country?
People mistake Sweden for Switzerland all the time. People have asked me if Roger Federer is my hero, if I know how to make Swiss cheese, and if I can get a good deal on fancy watches. At first I tried to explain the difference, but now I just play along.
Do Americans play soccer differently?
Based on the games I have played here over the past three years, American soccer focuses more on athleticism. It is important to hit the weights, be strong, and run fast. It is a very physical game, and maybe not as technical and patient as the European version. When I first came here I struggled to adjust, but now I don't know which one I prefer. Technical soccer is amazing to watch, but it is hard to beat raw athleticism.
What's your game ritual? Any lucky charms?
I always have a handful of raisins and two pieces of Juicy Fruit in my mouth before running out on to the field. And I have a necklace with a seven on it, a cross, and a little token that says "believe." A friend made it for me and I never take it off. Seven is my lucky number, and my idol from when I was a kid (Eric Cantona of Manchester United) had that number when he played.
Any U.S. slang that surprised you?
Maybe not a phrase, but a way of being. When someone says "How's it going?" in Sweden, you usually respond by stating how you feel. In the U.S., you just say the same thing back. That just doesn't make any sense to me. When I first came here I used to stop what I was doing (usually walking) and reply. By the time I was done the person asking was long gone!
What's a Swedish phrase we'll need if we travel to Höllviken?
A unique word to the Swedish language is "lagom." This means that you don't have too much, or too little. You have just the perfect amount.
What in your room says Sweden most?
Well, my keyboard has the Swedish letters å, ä, and ö on it.
