Sweden's men's table tennis team has been eliminated from the World Team Championships in England. Taiwan won the quarterfinals 3–2.
"It sucks. We had the chance, but the margins weren't with us," says national team captain Marcus Sjöberg.
The loss is particularly unfortunate considering how things looked earlier in the championship. In the group stage, Sweden beat the tournament's heavy favourite, China, for the first time in 26 years.
Shoulder problems
In the quarterfinals against Taiwan, Sweden found themselves in trouble straight away, with two straight losses: first Truls Möregårdh, then Anton Källberg. World number two Möregårdh, who has been struggling with a shoulder problem, lost in straight sets to Taiwan's star Lin Yun-Ju.
"I think I did well against Lin. I could have done a little better. I tried, but I couldn't today because of my shoulder," says Möregårdh.
World Cup debutant Elias Ranefur reignited Sweden's hopes by beating Feng Yi-Hsin 3–1. When Möregårdh then won his second match, everything came down to a fifth, deciding match.
Paying tribute to the debutant
There, Lin Yun-Ju proved too tough even for Anton Källberg, who lost in three straight sets.
Bitter. But we have to pay tribute to Elias Ranefur, who is doing great, and for my part I am satisfied, says Truls Möregårdh.
Sweden are eliminated by the loss. Taiwan will face Japan in the semifinals.
