"Sometimes you're worthless and not worth winning"

Last season's playoff failure still lingers. Färjestad's World Championship center Linus Johansson is seeking revenge. Sometimes you're worthless and not worthy of winning, he says about last season's flop.

» Published:

"Sometimes you're worthless and not worth winning"
Photo: Tommy Pedersen/TT

Share this article

Färjestad star doesn't want to use the word revenge when talking about what's coming and what has been.

But it becomes clear during the conversation that it's what it's about.

Färjestad put themselves in a golden position after winning the series last season. Then it was a flat fall and direct elimination after 0-4 in matches against a rejuvenated Rögle in the quarterfinals.

Linus Johansson was clear with self-criticism after the elimination and it's still there. He means that there are different ways to lose:

There's no one else to blame, it was our own fault. We got a bit comfortable for a while, even if you didn't realize it then, and it hurts hard, he says.

"Perform in a different way"

What lessons did you draw?

It's about how you want to perform, what keys we need to add during the season to have a transition to more playoff hockey. I think we have a good grasp of that together with the sports manager and coach that we want to perform in a different way, he says.

Färjestad is one of the gold favorites again this year.

Victor Ejdsell's move to Lugano is a loss, on the other hand, they got to keep World Championship gold forward and scoring league winner David Tomasek despite NHL rumors. Homecomer Oskar Steen, 26 years old, is a dream acquisition and the exciting Viktor Lodin from Oskarshamn.

"Angry and irritated"

Linus Johansson talks warmly about both the goalkeeper and defender lineups and about the forward group, he says:

I think we have damn good forwards, angry and irritated on the ice who can create some chaos, who have an emotional commitment and a very high skill level.

Speaking of skill. Tre Kronor put together a star-studded World Championship team in the Czech Republic this spring with 18 NHL players, including megastars like Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, and Rasmus Dahlin.

Linus Johansson was one of three SHL players who took a World Championship spot and the only one of the trio who played all matches.

It's clear that it's a feather in the hat that I do something that works on an extremely good level, he says.

Even though gold was the goal, the final bronze was Sweden's first World Championship medal in six years.

The World Championship in May next year is played in a newly renovated Globen and he wants to be there.

It would be a big thing, absolutely a dream, it would have been awesome to play a third World Championship.

2023-24, SM-gold: Skellefteå, regular season: Färjestad.

2022-23: Växjö/Växjö.

2021-22: Färjestad/Rögle.

2020-21 Växjö/Växjö.

2019-20: Cancelled/Luleå.

2018-19: Frölunda/Färjestad.

2017-18: Växjö/Växjö.

Tags

Author

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

More news

Henrik Larsson Sets Personal Best but Misses Direct Semifinal Spot

Henrik Larsson Sets Personal Best but Misses Direct Semifinal Spot

Felicia Granat's Cruciate Ligament Injury Sidelines Her for 2025-2026 Season

Felicia Granat's Cruciate Ligament Injury Sidelines Her for 2025-2026 Season

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold Out for Weeks with Injury

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold Out for Weeks with Injury

Björn Borg Opens Up About Cocaine Addiction in New Autobiography

Björn Borg Opens Up About Cocaine Addiction in New Autobiography

Tokyo World Championship: Humidity Challenges Asthmatic Runner

Tokyo World Championship: Humidity Challenges Asthmatic Runner

Beijing Criticizes Police Directive Alongside Allsvenskan Clubs

Beijing Criticizes Police Directive Alongside Allsvenskan Clubs

Footballer Thomas Partey Denies Rape Allegations in London Court

Footballer Thomas Partey Denies Rape Allegations in London Court

Andreas Almgren Pursues World Championship Medal in 5000 Meters

Andreas Almgren Pursues World Championship Medal in 5000 Meters

Jakob Ingebrigtsen Set to Compete in 5,000 Meters at World Championship

Jakob Ingebrigtsen Set to Compete in 5,000 Meters at World Championship

HockeyAllsvenskan Playoff Format Changes for Upcoming Season

HockeyAllsvenskan Playoff Format Changes for Upcoming Season

UK Sprinter Reprimanded for Religious Headband at World Championship

UK Sprinter Reprimanded for Religious Headband at World Championship

Shooting Near Beach Volleyball Arena in Brazil Alarms Olympic Stars

Shooting Near Beach Volleyball Arena in Brazil Alarms Olympic Stars

Lisa Lilja Retires from Sprinting, Partner Thobias Montler Confirms

Lisa Lilja Retires from Sprinting, Partner Thobias Montler Confirms

Thomas Partey Booed During Villarreal vs Tottenham Match

Thomas Partey Booed During Villarreal vs Tottenham Match

Police Mask Ban Directive in Allsvenskan Sparks Anger and Concern

Police Mask Ban Directive in Allsvenskan Sparks Anger and Concern

Lucas Bergvall Shines in Champions League Debut for Tottenham

Lucas Bergvall Shines in Champions League Debut for Tottenham

Västervik Triumphs in Rain-Interrupted Speedway Final

Västervik Triumphs in Rain-Interrupted Speedway Final

Luleå Stages Dramatic Comeback to Win SM Final Replay Against Brynäs

Luleå Stages Dramatic Comeback to Win SM Final Replay Against Brynäs

Möregårdh Leads Eslöv to Victory in Table Tennis League Opener

Möregårdh Leads Eslöv to Victory in Table Tennis League Opener

Gyökeres Injured but Plays On as Arsenal Wins Champions League Opener

Gyökeres Injured but Plays On as Arsenal Wins Champions League Opener