Football fever has gripped the globe and the big question on everyone’s lips this weekend is, “is football coming home or is it going home?” Quinyxers from our offices in London and Stockholm have given us their predictions for when Sweden and England meet in the World Cup quarter finals.
But first, what makes the relationship between the UK and Sweden so special and one that’s continuing to thrive and flourish?
At Quinyx, we launched in the UK back in 2014. In four short years, we’ve grown rapidly and now work with some of the country’s biggest brands, helping them enjoy work with a mobile-first workforce management solution.
It’s been a natural fit with there being a huge amount of synergy between the two countries. In fact, at our very Workforce Management Day held in London earlier this year, Torbjörn Sohlström, Ambassador of Sweden to the UK, told the audience how the countries have always benefited from a strong trade relationship which has now been boosted even further by a boom in the tech industry.
And over on the Swedish embassy’s podcast it says: “There is an an evident tech bridge between UK and Sweden and the traffic is high. Both London and Stockholm are widely described as the tech start up capitals and the Silicon Valleys of Europe.
“Many Swedish startups move to London, the capital with the biggest pool of international talent, the highest number of $1 billion businesses and venture capital investment in Europe. Tech industries, and the unprecedented exchange of people, jobs, capital and ideas, are quickly reshaping the present and future trading relationship between Sweden and the UK.”
From IKEA and ABBA through to Spotify and Skype, it’s hard to miss the influence of Swedish culture in Britain. Equally, for many Swedes there’s a love for everything British...especially football with the game we know and love today evolving from Britain in the mid-19th century.
To say there’s a lot riding on Saturday’s World Cup quarter final would be an understatement. For both England and Sweden, there’s a chance of making the semi finals for the first time in a generation. Sweden were last there in 1994 with a team including the likes of Henrik Larsson, Tomas Brolin and Stefan Schwarz while England’s last appearance in a World Cup semi final was in 1990, losing on penalties to Germany.
Our offices are truly multinational and, as the anticipation builds, there’s definitely a friendly tension in the air with one side convinced ‘it’s coming home’ and the other very happy to respond with ‘you’re going home.’
So what outcome should we expect? We spoke to Quinyxers in our Stockholm and London offices to get their thoughts and here's what they said…
Name: Mikaela Clavel
Position: Marketing Campaign Specialist
Nationality: Swedish
What do you like most about English culture and working with colleagues in the UK?
I love the social atmosphere and the good banter in the office.
What's your prediction for the game?
Since I vote for a Swedish win and because it has shown that England have had problem to win against Sweden in the past, I’ll say 2-1 to the Vikings :)
Name: Tom Webb
Position: Customer Onboarding Team
Nationality: British
What do you like most about Swedish culture and working with colleagues in Sweden?
The daily enthusiasm and the consistently high morale! All my peers are very driven professionals but know how to have fun!
What’s your prediction for the game?
England to win on PENALTIES!!!!
Name: Elin Hammenfors
Position: Business Development Manager
Nationality: Swedish
What do you like most about English culture and working with colleagues in the UK?
All day Saturday pub hangs and the banter I have with my English colleagues. The fact that they are super impressed by our language skills and overall Vikingness also helps.
What’s your prediction for the game?
In order not to fall in the same trap as the Brits always do, I won’t go for a clear Swedish win. I think this game will come down to mental strength and teamwork, which I hope will be to the Swede’s advantage. Soooo 2-1 to Sweden, but it will be tight!
Name: Galem Jabbar
Position: Customer Success Manager
Nationality: British
What do you like most about Swedish culture and working with colleagues Sweden?
I love that we can incorporate aspects of Swedish culture, like fika and 30 day annual leave.
What's your prediction for the game?
I have faith in the Three Lions and predict a 2-1 win! Football’s coming home!
Name: Erik Paulsson
Position: Business Development Manager
Nationality: Swedish
What do you like most about English culture and working with colleagues in the UK?
I love the diversity of people and culture, everyone is easy going.
What’s your prediction for the game?
1-1 and a penalty shootout where Sweden wins, obviously.
Name: Tommy Tonkins
Position: Content Writer
Nationality: British
What do you like most about Swedish culture and working with colleagues Sweden?
Every Swede is always cool, calm and collected...much like their football team. Nothing is ever too much trouble, their positivity is infectious and there can never be too much coffee or candy. What’s not to love?
What's your prediction for the game?
It’s going to be tough. We’ve never done well against Sweden and their defence looks awesome. But we’re still going to win. 2-0 England!
Of course the World Cup is also one of the busiest times for many businesses and, for companies who work outside of standard ‘office hours,’ such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, we know games like this can have a significant impact on their operations.
Check out this article from our CEO & Founder, Erik Fjellbjorg, where he outlines five steps that companies should be taking to ensure their business doesn’t suffer during World Cup fever.
Whoever you’re supporting, we hope you enjoy the game and may the best team win!