The legendary Swedish football coach Sven-Goran Erikson was buried today in his hometown of Torsby in southwestern Sweden.
Erikson died on August 26 at the age of 76, eight months after announcing that he was suffering from pancreatic cancer.
In the Friksande church, Erikson's coffin was displayed, covered with white flowers and surrounded by large candles. The service in English and Swedish was attended by 600 dignitaries, including Eriksson's 95-year-old father, family members, members of the Swedish royal family, friends and former footballers and coaches including David Beckham, Roy Hodgson and others.
Hundreds of worshipers gathered on the lawn in front of the church, who watched the service on a big screen.
The service began with music on the piano and organ, then the numbers "Sailing", "Candle in the Wind", "Volare" were performed, and in a moving sermon, the priest Ingela Alvski said that Erikson was a loving father, a good salsa player and that he never late, that he liked routine and discipline, but not vacations.
"Sven-Goran was mentally strong, even in trouble. He had an iron will and never gave up. Despite his illness, his last months were full of life," she said.
After the service, the casket was taken out of the church, and Torsby club members formed a guard of honor. In a white car, the procession arrived at the Kolsberg Museum, and the brass band performed "You'll Never Walk Alone" as well as "Bare Neccessities".
Erikson's good friend Bengt Berg gave a speech next to Lake Frinken, as well as family members, and around 200 mourners enjoyed some of the famous coach's favorite dishes.
During his career, Eriksson won 18 trophies and led 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Leicester, Roma and Lazio, and was the first foreign coach on the bench of the England football team.
His last words were published posthumously: "Don't give up. Life should always, always be celebrated".
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