Janne Hammarbäck Collection

Ahead of the 1992 UEFA European Championship in Sweden, Solna police officer Jan-Erik "Janne" Hammarbäck was called in to a meeting with national team manager Tommy Svensson. The subject of the meeting was a brand new role within the squad – the position of "team police officer". His experience from working in Solna, particularly in relation to high-risk matches and his contact with AIK's supporter group Black Army, was considered to make him especially well suited for the assignment. Janne himself has recalled with a twinkle in his eye that he was mostly "useless" when it came to working the derby matches.
What began as a new assignment became the start of a unique journey. Janne remained in the service of the national team for a full 22 years – a natural and cherished member of the Swedish national team family. During those years he experienced 295 international matches, countless championships and some of the most memorable moments in Swedish football history.
His strongest memory was from the magical World Cup summer of 1994, when the Swedish national team delivered one of the most beloved performances in Swedish sporting history, claiming the historic World Cup bronze medal in the United States. This auction features several iconic objects from that era – items immortalised through newspaper chronicles, photographs and stories from a Swedish football miracle.
In his role as head of security and team police officer, Janne became a reassuring constant for players and management alike. Lars Lagerbäck has described him as one of the finest leaders he has had the privilege of working with. The esteem in which Janne was held within the squad is clearly reflected in the many personal gifts and dedications that accompanied him through the years – objects that bear witness to friendship, respect and strong bonds forged behind the scenes.
A particularly close relationship developed between Janne and Zlatan Ibrahimović following the latter's international debut in 2001. Janne visited Zlatan during his professional years in both the Netherlands and Italy and is said to have played an important role in persuading him to return to the national team following his suspension in 2006. Among the auction's most personal objects are several items and gifts that Zlatan himself presented to Janne over the years.
In this themed auction, Karlstad-Hammarö Auktionsverk presents a unique collection of sports memorabilia from Jan-Erik Hammarbäck's long and eventful time with the Swedish men's national team. Personal gifts from players sit alongside mementoes from some of the most iconic moments in Swedish football history. For collectors, football enthusiasts and nostalgics alike, this is a rare opportunity to come close to Swedish sporting history – and perhaps carry with you a small piece of the dream of the day when the national team once again strikes gold in the USA.