Sweden has given Ireland more Eurovision points (223) than they have any other country
We, on the other hand, have only given them 154 points
Stopped us going to the World Cup in South Africa
Swedish referees have been responsible for missing every catastrophic handball that has cost Ireland in World Cup playoffs
Politicians
Whenever Ireland is berating itself for doing something badly, it's never long before someone stands up and says "Well in Sweden, they do things this way..."
Annoyed England down the years
Sweden went a remarkable 44 years without losing to England. Incredible given that the two teams seemed to face each other roughly every fortnight
Helped a generation of Irish people get interested in tennis
Well, okay then, Wimbledon.
Given us one of the most revealing football autobiographies in recent years
In a genre populated by Wayne Rooney's pap, Ashley Cole justifying himself and Rodney Marsh telling old jokes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's autobiography was revealing, engaging and highly acclaimed. It was slightly coyer than Antonio Cassano's autobiography as indeed all autobiographies are.
"I didn't have a relationship with the coach" - on his time working with Pep Guardiola
"Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi always obeyed without protesting. They were like schoolboys" - characterising the Barcelona players attitude to Pep Guardiola
'I yelled at him. "You have no balls"' - recalling an encounter with Pep Guardiola
Abba
If the nation of Sweden could be condensed into a pop quartet, two males and two females, then you could scarcely do better than Abba
Sven and Ulrika
The original and best of Sven's dalliances in England was an all-Swedish affair. Faria Allam was only a poor man's Ulrika.
Ikea
Hopefully, the Swedish defence will be taken apart with a minimum of fuss, packed up and sent back to Stockholm
The Blowtorch, Ship Propellers and Zippers
The films American Pie, Titanic, and (think of some film where a blowtorch is used) would have been very different were it not for the pioneering work of Swedish scientists.
Given the world the "2nd Worst Player in Premier League History"
Youtube credit / WOODDDDDDDYALUFC2
Given the world this goal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAgt0McGg50
Youtube credit / FootballNewsPreviews
