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STOCKHOLM’S stunning Friends Arena opened its doors for the first time on November 14, and fans attending the Scandinavian SGP on September 21 are in for something special. The 50,000-seat arena, complete with retractable roof, was packed to the rafters for an international friendly match between Sweden and England.


The likes of Antonio Lindback, Freddie Lindgren and Andreas Jonsson will have some way to go to match the legendary status the country’s footballing darling Zlatan Ibrahimovic already holds at the venue.


His astonishing four-goal haul against Roy Hodgson’s men, crowned


by the propeller kick many are dubbing the greatest goal in history, will take some beating when the SGP series comes to town. But the speedway action will definitely generate more noise, as the


incredible sound created by the roof will be at its best with four 500cc bikes roaring around inside the Friends Arena. It does lack the same city-centre feel supporters enjoy at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.


The neighbouring shopping mall is still being built and fans face a 20-minute walk from the Solna Centrum T-bana station to get there. Without the aid of signs and stewards, tens of thousands of people would never have found their way through the housing estate you have to navigate to make the out-of-town stadium. But don’t let that put you off. Sweden’s new national stadium is one of the jewels in the SGP crown. When you add the Friends Arena to the stunning city of islands where vast array of shops and nightlife meet the history and splendour of the old town, Stockholm is a must-see stop on next year’s calendar.


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