SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Olympic Heroes in Agreement: Want Persson to Continue

After the Olympic Games success, the table tennis players agree that they want Jörgen Persson to remain as the national team captain. He's more than welcome to stay, says Anton Källberg. It's been going extremely well since he arrived. I don't think it's a coincidence. He's welcome to continue, says Kristian Karlsson.

» Updated: 25 September 2024, 01:53

» Published: 10 August 2024

Olympic Heroes in Agreement: Want Persson to Continue
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

The day after the team silver, Källberg, Karlsson, Truls Möregårdh, and Persson were celebrated at Sweden Arena. Dignitaries from the Swedish Olympic Committee and sponsors basked in the silver glow.

SOK chairman Hans von Uthmann gave a speech and conveyed a greeting from King Carl XVI Gustaf, who was out at the canoeing events.

The pingis heroes posed for selfies and hit a few balls. They were swept around among the crowd under the scorching sun.

The night was fun and pleasant. We partied a bit until the morning hours but still got some sleep, says Källberg.

Pizza and kebab

The menu featured pizza around midnight and then a kebab when the sun had already risen over Paris.

With Möregårdh's individual silver and the team's medal of the same value, the trio creates pingis hysteria back home. Now it's a matter of striking while the iron is hot. Already in October, the next championship, the European Championship in Linz, Austria, awaits.

Källberg believes that much suggests that the same players as in the Olympic Games will play there. But who will lead them? Jörgen Persson's contract as national team captain expires with the Olympic Games – and it's not certain that he will continue.

We'll see, this is the fourth year. Now I'll just enjoy this a bit with the guys. Then we'll see what happens, said Persson after the team final against China.

Källberg emphasizes how important Persson is.

He brings a vast amount of experience that few in world pingis have. He has been in hot situations himself. He can sense it during matches and is not so nervous.

Conveys calm

He doesn't stress, he has a calm that he conveys to the team. He supports and believes all the time that it can go even when we're behind, like against Japan in the semifinal. He showed no signs of giving up and made me believe in it.

Is it important that he continues?

One can only speculate, but he has reaped fantastic successes. Olympic Games, European Championship, and World Championship medals in almost every championship. Those successes don't come by themselves.

Kristian Karlsson agrees.

- He contributes with so much experience and knowledge. He has almost done everything that can be done in table tennis. It's a security to have him with us at major championships and big matches.

- That's where his expertise shines through.

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

More news

Won the LPGA Tour – Took Home a Historic Prize Sum
1 MIN READ

Won the LPGA Tour – Took Home a Historic Prize Sum

Åberg climbed – Norlander saved the card
2 MIN READ

Åberg climbed – Norlander saved the card

Italy defended the Davis Cup title
1 MIN READ

Italy defended the Davis Cup title

Tough start for Amorim – drew against bottom team
2 MIN READ

Tough start for Amorim – drew against bottom team

Klingberg leaves Frölunda – bound for Finnish club
1 MIN READ

Klingberg leaves Frölunda – bound for Finnish club

Confirmed: Premier League Club Fires Coach
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Premier League Club Fires Coach

Unlikely Hero Saved Värnamo in the Qualification Thriller
2 MIN READ

Unlikely Hero Saved Värnamo in the Qualification Thriller

Talent Success: "Major International Breakthrough"
1 MIN READ

Talent Success: "Major International Breakthrough"

Swedish victory in European Championship rehearsal – star back
2 MIN READ

Swedish victory in European Championship rehearsal – star back

Snow chaos as Östersund stays in Superettan
3 MIN READ

Snow chaos as Östersund stays in Superettan

The Success: Takes Career's Fourth Podium Position
2 MIN READ

The Success: Takes Career's Fourth Podium Position

Andersson's performance - won big again
2 MIN READ

Andersson's performance - won big again

Johaug had to give in after a fierce battle
1 MIN READ

Johaug had to give in after a fierce battle

The Upset: Canadian Defeated the Swedes
2 MIN READ

The Upset: Canadian Defeated the Swedes

Won the title – after five second places
1 MIN READ

Won the title – after five second places

Verstappen World Champion – for the fourth year in a row
2 MIN READ

Verstappen World Champion – for the fourth year in a row

Pettersson picked up points – in chaotic win
1 MIN READ

Pettersson picked up points – in chaotic win

Swedish player helped Crosby reach milestone
1 MIN READ

Swedish player helped Crosby reach milestone

The Swede climbs after fine golf round
2 MIN READ

The Swede climbs after fine golf round

Manchester City's slump is getting deeper - overwhelmed by "Spurs"
1 MIN READ

Manchester City's slump is getting deeper - overwhelmed by "Spurs"