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

Share this article

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

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Falls Short in US Open Final
1 MIN READ

Swedish Junior Lea Nilsson Falls Short in US Open Final

Häcken Misses Penalty and League Lead in 1-1 Draw with Kristianstad
2 MIN READ

Häcken Misses Penalty and League Lead in 1-1 Draw with Kristianstad

Swedish Canoeist Melina Andersson Wins Gold at Marathon World Championship
1 MIN READ

Swedish Canoeist Melina Andersson Wins Gold at Marathon World Championship

Verstappen Secures Pole Position for Italian Grand Prix at Monza
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Secures Pole Position for Italian Grand Prix at Monza

Kosovare Asllani Scores Historic Goal in London City Lionesses Debut
1 MIN READ

Kosovare Asllani Scores Historic Goal in London City Lionesses Debut

Emil Krafth Supports Alexander Isak Amid Transfer Controversy
3 MIN READ

Emil Krafth Supports Alexander Isak Amid Transfer Controversy

Hammarby Tops Damallsvenskan After Crucial Win Over Malmö FF
3 MIN READ

Hammarby Tops Damallsvenskan After Crucial Win Over Malmö FF

Swedish Referee Decision Sparks Controversy in Euro Championship Loss
3 MIN READ

Swedish Referee Decision Sparks Controversy in Euro Championship Loss

PSG Frustrated After Ousmane Dembélé's Injury in France Match
1 MIN READ

PSG Frustrated After Ousmane Dembélé's Injury in France Match

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78
1 MIN READ

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match
2 MIN READ

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown
2 MIN READ

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia
1 MIN READ

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final
1 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk
1 MIN READ

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer
3 MIN READ

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer