Sunderland AFC were out in the community earlier this week supporting St. Anthony’s Catholic Academy as they held their annual European Day of Languages.
The day, which is aimed at raising awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity, sees students and teachers come together in a school-wide initiative to celebrate all European countries and languages.
Sunderland, of course, have a number of European players at the club from Italian ‘keeper Vito Mannone to German maestro Jan Kirchhoff.
And Swedish star Seb Larsson went along to get a hands-on experience of the day alongside SAFC Ladies stopper Hilde Gunn Olsen.
Larsson, 31, visited a number of faculties including music, during which he observed an outstanding ABBA tribute act, and physical education where the girls certainly had their shooting boots on.
Speaking to safc.com, Larsson hailed the event: “It’s always nice to come and see the kids so it’s always something I’m happy to do; their Swedish was good and I was very impressed.
“If you can put a smile on a few faces its great!”
Norway Under-23 international Olsen also joined in with the action, and she was equally at home at the local school.
“I had a really good day and the girls were really nice so I felt welcome right away.
“They knew how to say ‘good day’ and they knew how to say ‘thank you’, so I was happy with that; I love the fact they have an international week because the world is getting closer and closer together and I feel knowing cultures and countries from a young age is important.”