Hunts CL title – but misses the Olympics: "Tough decision"

In the holy days, Eric Johansson plays his career's first "final four" with Kiel. Then he lies on the operating table – and misses the Olympics. It was an incredibly hard decision to make, something I didn't decide on a night, says the 23-year-old from Eskilstuna.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 07 2024

Hunts CL title – but misses the Olympics: "Tough decision"
Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

I the holy week, Eric Johansson plays his career's first "final four" with Kiel.

Then he lies on the operating table – and misses the Olympics.

It's not entirely easy to know which leg to stand on just now if you're Eric Johansson.

On the one hand, the tall left-hander is one of all the stars being interviewed at the player's hotel in Cologne before a weekend that can be something more than usual. "Final four" awaits in the Champions League, where Johansson's Kiel is fighting for the title, which the club has already won four times – last in the 2020 pandemic edition.

Saturday evening, Kiel will play a semifinal against Barcelona.

On the other hand, it's no fun waiting for Eric Johansson when the weekend is over. Already on Tuesday, he'll be lying under the knife at home in Kiel, where a bone fragment is to be removed from the patella tendon in his left knee. Then comes rehabilitation for 8-10 weeks, and the Olympics in Paris will have to be followed from the TV sofa.

It was clear already when national team coach Glenn Solberg recently presented his bruttotrupp before the Olympics.

The whole season has been a mix of sweet and salt for Eric Johansson.

In the national team, he didn't quite reach his maximum level in the EM, which ended with Swedish bronze after the heavy semifinal loss to France.

In the Bundesliga, Kiel finished fourth, while Johansson was recently named the best left-hander in "the world's best league".

And in the Champions League, Kiel was on its way out with thunder and lightning in the quarterfinals against Montpellier. But the 11-0 loss on the away leg was followed by a 10-0 home win in Kiel. The decisive goal was scored by Johansson.

The final weekend in Cologne also means the last night with the gang for team-mate Niclas Ekberg, the 35-year-old who is moving back to Ystads IF after the season.

The men's Champions League is traditionally decided in the Lanxess Arena, the handball temple in Cologne, with seating for around 20,000 spectators. The semifinals will be played on Saturday and the bronze match and final on Sunday.

Saturday, 3:00 PM: Magdeburg-Ålborg.

Swedes in Magdeburg: Mikael Aggefors, Oscar Bergendahl, Felix Claar, Albin Lagergren, Daniel Pettersson.

Swedes in Ålborg: Jesper Nielsen, Lukas Nilsson, Fabian Norsten, Jack Thurin.

The match: A special match for Swedish midfielder Felix Claar, who has been voted player of the year in Magdeburg during his debut season in the club. Claar came from Ålborg, where he played for three seasons. Magdeburg is the reigning Champions League champion, Ålborg has never won but was in the final in 2021.

Saturday, 6:00 PM: Barcelona–Kiel.

Swedes in Barcelona: Jonathan Carlsbogård, Hampus Wanne.

Swedes in Kiel: Niclas Ekberg, Eric Johansson, Karl Wallinius.

The match: The two most successful clubs in the tournament's history: Barcelona has ten titles, Kiel four. In Barça, Hampus Wanne has the chance to become Champions League champion exactly ten years after he won with Flensburg. In Kiel, Niclas Ekberg – champion 2020 – hopes to put a perfect point on his 12-year time in the club.

2022-23: Magdeburg.

2021-22: Barcelona.

2020-21: Barcelona.

2019-20: Kiel.

2018-19: Vardar.

Tags

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

More news

AIK Football Parts Ways with
1 MIN READ

AIK Football Parts Ways with Sports Manager Thomas Berntsen

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life
3 MIN READ

Coach Anders Torstensson Embraces Life with Cancer While Leading Mjällby

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Olofsson and Karlsson Lead Vegas to Victory Over Chicago

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina to Compete Under Australian Flag

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach
1 MIN READ

Brazil Parts Ways with Coach Dorival Júnior After Argentina Defeat

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to
3 MIN READ

Pontus Andreasson Leads Luleå to Semifinals with Overtime Win

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls
1 MIN READ

Swedish Ice Dance Duo Falls Short of World Championship Final

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates Finland 8-3 in Bandy World Championship Preview

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Triumphs Over Malmö 3-2 Without Captain Larsson

Genre image
1 MIN READ

IFK Göteborg Mourns Passing of Club Legend Nils "Tidan" Johansson

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to
1 MIN READ

Usyk Eyes Boxing Return to Support Ukraine and Reclaim Title

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman
2 MIN READ

Swedish Duo Hellvig and Åhman Shine in Beach Volleyball World Championship

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action
1 MIN READ

Bayern Munich Considers Legal Action Against Canada Over Davies Injury

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over
1 MIN READ

SHL Schedules Urgent Meeting Over Referee Criticism in Playoffs

Swedish Top League to Implement
1 MIN READ

Swedish Top League to Implement Personal Tickets to Curb Hooliganism

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to
3 MIN READ

Allsvenskan Kicks Off: What to Expect in the Premiere Round

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic
2 MIN READ

Swedish F1 Prospect Dino Beganovic Joins Hamilton in Bahrain Practice

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Cleared of Rape Charge Due to Insufficient Evidence

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for
2 MIN READ

Carlo Ancelotti Faces Trial for Tax Fraud in Spain

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake:
2 MIN READ

Swedish Footballers Flee Bangkok Quake: A Harrowing Escape

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship
1 MIN READ

Samuelsson Withdraws from Swedish Championship Due to Sore Throat

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's
1 MIN READ

Finnvedsvallen Cleared for IFK Värnamo's Allsvenskan Opener

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund
1 MIN READ

German Ski Jumper Philipp Raimund Skips Planica Due to Fear of Heights

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to
1 MIN READ

Färjestad's Viktor Lodin Suspended, to Miss Key Quarterfinal Match

Nylander Sets New Personal Best,
1 MIN READ

Nylander Sets New Personal Best, Eyes Loob's Swedish Goal Record

Hedman Shines as Tampa Bay
1 MIN READ

Hedman Shines as Tampa Bay Dominates Utah with 8-0 Victory

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges
2 MIN READ

Swedish Football Faces Sponsorship Challenges Over Fan Conduct

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted
1 MIN READ

Maradona's Agonizing Final Hours Highlighted in Trial Testimony

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals,
1 MIN READ

Djokovic Advances to Miami Semifinals, Sets New Masters Record

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Faces Quarterfinal Exit After Controversial Loss to Skellefteå

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7
2 MIN READ

AIK Forces Decisive Game 7 Against Björklöven in Hockey Allsvenskan

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes
2 MIN READ

Björn Scores as Chelsea Overcomes Man City to Reach Champions League Semis

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup
2 MIN READ

Shiffrin Clinches 101st World Cup Win as Swedes Struggle in Sun Valley

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World
1 MIN READ

Nordebäck Secures Spot in World Championship Final in Boston

Sweden Dominates Finland 13-1 to
1 MIN READ

Sweden Dominates Finland 13-1 to Reach Bandy World Championship Final

Hockey Legend Magnus Johansson Returns
1 MIN READ

Hockey Legend Magnus Johansson Returns to Linköping as Assistant Coach

Kinhult Ties for Lead at
1 MIN READ

Kinhult Ties for Lead at Indian Open on DP World Tour

Swedish Equestrian Federation Supports Falsterbo's
2 MIN READ

Swedish Equestrian Federation Supports Falsterbo's Decision to End Partnership

Sweden Faces Tough Group in
2 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Tough Group in European Basketball Championship

Malmö FF Eyes Third Straight
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Eyes Third Straight Title as Christiansen Returns Strong