Freddie Ljungberg watched "erotic movies" at Euros as sex turned his feet to jelly
Sweden coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback were forced to impose a strict sex ban on players leading up to Euro 2020 after Freddie Ljungberg admitted an unfortunate side effect
Freddie Ljungberg chose to watch erotic movies the night before a game rather than having sex due to an unfortunate side effect that came after he did the deed.
The double Premier League winning playmaker for Arsenal made 75 appearances for Sweden between 1998 and 2008, wearing their famous yellow shirt during Euro 2000 across Belgium and the Netherlands.
Although they finished bottom of Group B following defeats to the hosts in Brussels, a draw with Turkey and defeat at the hands of Turkey, it wasn't because of energy used up elsewhere.
Sweden coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback brought in a 'no sex' rule for players in the days leading up to the tournament, which suited the preparations of Ljungberg.
The former Calvin Klein model admitted at the time that intercourse left him far from match ready the following day, and found an alternative method of keeping himself entertained.
"After having sex the night before (a match), I lose all feelings in my feet," said Ljungberg in 2000.
"I'm totally empty. I can't control the ball any more. Instead I watch erotic movies the previous night. That doesn't affect my power."
Were Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback right to implement the ban? Give us your thoughts in the comments.
BBC Sport added that a similar ban was placed on England players during France 1998, with California-based Professor Todd Astorino rubbishing the practise before the 2018 showpiece.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “Our findings support studies which conclude that sex the day before exercise does not impact athletic performance.”
Adding that players might well have “had an improved response to stress, and increased emotional awareness” by taking part in sex before fixtures.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola laughing off an alleged sex ban at the club back in 2016 by saying: "It's impossible to play good football if you don't make sex with your partner!
"I never did that (ban it) and I would never ban that. If you are doing it... better players!"
Without the ban in place, City have won three Premier League titles across four seasons and were narrowly beaten by Chelsea to Champions League glory in May.
READ MORE: Teddy Sheringham says wild 20-man England bender was behind 'dentist chair'
READ MORE: England were almost 'expelled' from Euro 2000 after hooligans tore apart streets