SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Golden Confidence Boost: "Almost Flawless"

Has it finally happened for one of Sweden's big gold hopes in the Olympic Games? After two straight losses, David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig delivered a statement of strength: a 2–1 win against previously unbeaten Cuba and a secured quarterfinal spot.

» Updated: 09 September 2024, 14:16

» Published: 04 August 2024

Golden Confidence Boost: "Almost Flawless"
Photo: Robert F. Bukaty/AP/TT

It's great that we won this match. They won all sets in the group and have been really good. It feels fantastic that we could beat them, says Jonatan Hellvig.

The spectacular arena at the foot of the Eiffel Tower is made for Olympic Games fairy tales with happy endings.

It can still become that for Olympic debutants David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig.

The 22-year-old star players were the best in the world during the spring, came to Paris as one of Sweden's gold hopes and in the premiere against Australia, they achieved their 18th straight victory.

Two straight losses

Then it temporarily stopped.

Two straight losses in the group stage finale, against Qatar and Italy, meant unbeaten Cubans Noslen Diaz/Jorge Alayo in the round of 16.

It was just a matter of reloading. We're good when we play our game and dare to believe in it, says Åhman.

The Swedes won the first set in a landslide, 21–11, in front of the enthusiastic and loud crowd, where the majority supported Cuba.

"Lots of mistakes"

Nice to have such a good start to the match. We played almost flawlessly in the first set and they made lots of mistakes. But we knew it would get tighter in the second set and that we wouldn't get as many free points, says David Åhman.

That's what happened.

The Cubans went up to 18–16, but Åhman and Hellvig came back and had several match points – without being able to decide.

Instead, Cuba forced a deciding set thanks to 28–26. In the third and final set, Sweden took command directly and didn't let go.

15–11 means that the medal hunt continues for the Swedish duo, next in the quarterfinals against Brazil or the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Our goal before was to reach the quarterfinals. It feels fantastically fun that we're there, says Jonatan Hellvig.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Grant near the top in LPGA finale
1 MIN READ

Grant near the top in LPGA finale

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal
1 MIN READ

Quick Hero - Arsenal to Quarterfinal

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Frida Karlsson Competes in the Swedish Premiere

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"
2 MIN READ

Hammarby's anger after the celebration: "Disgusting"

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"
2 MIN READ

Frustrated Frölunda fell: "Worst we've done this year"

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Guardiola Extends with Manchester City

Sweden in European Championship final after thriller: "Proud and happy"
1 MIN READ

Sweden in European Championship final after thriller: "Proud and happy"

Blytung comeback for Åberg: "A bit rusty"
2 MIN READ

Blytung comeback for Åberg: "A bit rusty"

Hammarby set a new attendance record: "Love every single one"
3 MIN READ

Hammarby set a new attendance record: "Love every single one"

Referee suspended after Isak-miss
1 MIN READ

Referee suspended after Isak-miss

Super strikers in qualifying – Värnamo equalized late
2 MIN READ

Super strikers in qualifying – Värnamo equalized late

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"
2 MIN READ

Sjöström's Criticism: "Would Have Been a Worthy Winner"

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal
1 MIN READ

Tough for Team Edin - misses European Championship semifinal

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case
2 MIN READ

Roberts: Nothing is broken in any case

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere
2 MIN READ

Rookies get a chance in the World Cup premiere

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury
1 MIN READ

MFF confirms: Dahlin has a cruciate ligament injury

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst
1 MIN READ

Operated on after horror injury – testicle burst

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere
2 MIN READ

Guide: Everything you need to know ahead of the distance premiere

Haak's Joy: Gets to Defend the Title - in Sweden
1 MIN READ

Haak's Joy: Gets to Defend the Title - in Sweden

Poromaa misses the Swedish premiere
1 MIN READ

Poromaa misses the Swedish premiere