SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Möregårdh against Sweden-slayer in Olympic quarterfinal: "Uneasy"

Truls Möregårdh has given Sweden a dose of table tennis fever. But tonight's Olympic Games quarterfinal opponent Omar Assar gives no good vibes. Omar will take very many of my first attacks and I will feel that I'm getting anxious, says the 22-year-old.

» Updated: August 12 2024

» Published: August 01 2024

Möregårdh against Sweden-slayer in Olympic quarterfinal: "Uneasy"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Truls Möregårdh will not soon forget his long Wednesday in the Olympic table tennis arena in Paris. First, an early upset against Chinese world number one Wang Chuqin, ten hours later a new victory against Taiwanese Kao Cheng-Jui.

Now Möregårdh has a medal scent, but humility is great before the quarterfinal against veteran and Sweden-familiar Omar Assar. The 33-year-old Egyptian, with a past in, among other things, Halmstads BTK, knocked out Mattias Falck in the Olympic Games three years ago and has also two wins against Möregårdh, including last year's World Championship.

It's going to be a nervous match, but I hope I find a solution. If you've lost twice before, it means you have a tough opponent, says Möregårdh.

Flew in after the upset

The Swede had strong support from the stands when the quarterfinal spot was secured. Mom Lena and dad Calle were on site since earlier, girlfriend Leah and brother and coach Malte flew in hastily to Paris as soon as the world number one was knocked out in the morning.

And national team captain Jörgen Persson hopes that Truls Möregårdh can surf further on the wave of success. Even if Assar – 22nd on the world ranking where Möregårdh is 26th – is not a dream opponent.

Truls is playing so well and has created a huge self-confidence after these two good wins. He's in good shape, it's just about trusting his game, says the former top player.

Möregårdh, mentally drained after two tough Olympic matches in one day, aimed at the same time to gather strength before the late evening match (start 21.00) against Assar.

I'll try to sleep as long as I can and then walk around and be restless and wait for the fun.

"Varies very much"

Assar arranged his quarterfinal spot via 4–2 in sets against Kazakh Kirill Gerassimenko.

He (Assar) varies very much. He looks pretty bad sometimes and then five balls in a row he can be fierce. It's going to go up and down in the match, says Möregårdh.

Sweden's last Olympic medal in table tennis was taken by Jan-Ove Waldner 24 years ago, a silver in the men's singles in Sydney.

Truls Möregårdh, Sweden-Omar Assar, Egypt.

Hugo Calderano, Brazil-Jang Woo-Jin, South Korea.

Felix Lebrun, France-Lin Yun-Ju, Taiwan.

Harimoto Tomokazu, Japan-Fan Zhendong, China.

Tags

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

More news

Denmark Shines in Nations League Win Over Portugal

Denmark Shines in Nations League Win Over Portugal

Mbappé Returns but France Stumbles in Nations League Quarterfinals

Mbappé Returns but France Stumbles in Nations League Quarterfinals

Oskarshamn Rallies to Overtime Victory Against Karlskoga Again

Oskarshamn Rallies to Overtime Victory Against Karlskoga Again

Luleå Triumphs 4-0 Over Växjö After Costly Penalty in Quarterfinals

Luleå Triumphs 4-0 Over Växjö After Costly Penalty in Quarterfinals

Investors Back $100M Global Women's Seven-a-Side Football Venture

Investors Back $100M Global Women's Seven-a-Side Football Venture

Visa Issues Sideline Swedish Shot Putter Axelina Johansson from World Championship

Visa Issues Sideline Swedish Shot Putter Axelina Johansson from World Championship

Putin Congratulates IOC's Coventry, Eyes Russia's Olympic Return

Putin Congratulates IOC's Coventry, Eyes Russia's Olympic Return

Tarjei Bø's Illness Threatens to End Career Without Final Race

Tarjei Bø's Illness Threatens to End Career Without Final Race

Japan Secures Spot as First Team in 2026 World Championship

Japan Secures Spot as First Team in 2026 World Championship

Paralympic Bronze Medalist Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich Faces Career Halt

Paralympic Bronze Medalist Nicolina Pernheim Goodrich Faces Career Halt

Kirsty Coventry Elected First Female IOC President, Emphasizes Communication

Kirsty Coventry Elected First Female IOC President, Emphasizes Communication

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Robin Olsen Reflects on National Team Journey Ahead of World Championship

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

Boston Celtics Sold for Record $6.1 Billion to Investment Consortium

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

New Threats Target Damallsvenskan Players, Swedish Stars Abroad

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Sweden Clinches Playoff Spot in World Championship with Win Over China

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Zeneli Brothers Set for Emotional Clash as Sweden Faces Kosovo

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Lucas Bergvall Illness Puts Luxembourg Match Start in Doubt

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Eddie Jordan, Former F1 Team Owner, Passes Away at 76

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Leksand Restructures Team Amid Economic Challenges

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Experts Weigh In: Who Will Claim Hockey Gold in Sweden?

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Michelle Coleman Retires from Swimming, Embraces New Beginnings

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

Filip Gustavsson Shines with Fifth Shutout as Minnesota Dominates Seattle

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

HV71 Dominates Modo with 5-0 Victory in SHL Playoffs

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Rolfö Shines with Key Assist in Barcelona's 4-1 Victory Over Wolfsburg

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Alexander Isak's Future: Can Top Clubs Afford the Billion-Kronor Star?

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Maja Dahlqvist Shines with Second Place Finish in Tallinn Sprint

Imane Khelif Eyes Olympic Gold in LA Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks

Imane Khelif Eyes Olympic Gold in LA Amid Trump's Controversial Remarks

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Alexander Isak's Historic Goal Ends Newcastle's 70-Year Title Drought

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Sweden Misses Podium in Mogul Skiing World Championship Finals

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Ebba Andersson's Second Appeal Denied by Ski Federation

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Norwegian Soccer Captain Speaks Out on Gaza Conflict Before Israel Match

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

Chelsea Star: "Autism has benefited me"

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

After the Success: Former U20 Captain Called Up

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Came out in 2021 – still receiving death threats

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Manchester United plays rivalry match – in Stockholm

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Åberg eliminated from Tiger Woods' league – fell in semi-finals

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Billionaire supports cross-country skiing stars with "million amount"

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

Östersund on the Brink of Withdrawal – Needs Million Amount

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Farewell of the Football Podcast Becomes a Documentary Series

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"

The Swede behind the dream period: "Shows great character"