On Wednesday, Elmer Andersson, who together with Jacob Hölting Nilsson forms the world's best beach volleyball pair, was forced to withdraw from the tour competition in Malmö due to an injury.
Alfred Mjörnheim was quickly called in as a replacement.
"I needed to cancel on my girlfriend," he says, laughing.
"I had promised to come and visit her, but that didn't happen. She was completely understanding," he says.
Despite the lack of preparation, the newly formed team performed well once they got out on the sand, winning 2–1 in the first group match against Trummer/Sponer from Austria.
It may not have flowed as it usually does in all situations, but it was nice to tear off the band-aid, says Jacob Hölting Nilsson.
The hip-injured Elmer Andersson stepped in as coach instead when Jonatan Hellvig formed a new pair with Anton Andersson, who had to step in for a knee-injured David Åhman. After a tight second set, they took home the first group match 2–0 against Anfiloff/Maurice from the Netherlands.
They are both experienced blockers, but managed to agree on the role.
That's a plus, says Anton Andersson.
The group-stage finals for both Swedish teams await on Friday afternoon. A total of six Swedish teams are participating in the tour competition in Malmö.
