The Lions took long-awaited SM gold: "Completely wonderful"

When Oliver Berntzon grew up, he saw the speedway idols in Lejonen take the Swedish Championship gold. 15 years later, he is one of the club's star riders who secured the club's third championship title. Absolutely fantastic, a fairy tale ending to the season, he says.

» Updated:

» Published:

The Lions took long-awaited SM gold: "Completely wonderful"
Photo: Björn Larsson Rosvall/TT

Share this article

After the intended final day was rained off a week ago, the weather in western Småland finally allowed for a decision in the speedway final. That the return match was postponed for a week was nothing that bothered Oliver Berntzon.

Nice, actually. It felt good to wait for better weather, he says.

Visiting Dackarna started by quickly catching up with the four-point deficit they had after the first final match on their home track in Målilla.

Cold and nervous

But the gold favorite from Gislaved, who won this year's basic series, quickly responded to Dackarna's lively start. The home team managed three "fives" in four attempts and the gold grip was secured.

It was cold, nervous, up and down, summarizes Oliver Berntzon the second final match.

Dackarna tried to get back into the gold fight by winning a heat with 4–2 and the following one with 5–1.

After twelve of the evening's 15 heats, Lejonen led by eight points and could decide in the next one. And it didn't take long. The Polish duo Mateusz Cierniak and Kacper Woryna managed a five-pointer for the home club and the big gold cheer erupted.

The victory also meant a nice revenge for the loss in the Swedish Championship final in 2022 against Smederna.

A fantastic feeling, both for the club and for me. I've grown up here. This has been a dream for me and ranks on my top three list in my career so far, says Oliver Berntzon, who in 2021 returned home to his parent club after previously competing for, among others, Dackarna.

Large audience on site

The decisive final was watched by 6,375 spectators who created a high atmosphere around the track.

Fantastic, really. A fairy-tale ending to the season, says Berntzon.

Mateusz Cierniak, Dominik Kubera, and Oliver Berntzon were Lejonen's three top scorers for the evening.

Lejonen won the second final match with 49–41 and the final overall with 96–84. The gold was the club's first in 15 years and third overall. Dackarna, who became Swedish champions as recently as last year, remain at a total of seven Swedish Championship golds.

2024: Lejonen.

2023: Dackarna.

2022: Smederna.

2021: Dackarna.

2020: Masarna.

2019: Smederna.

2018: Smederna.

2017: Smederna

2016: Rospiggarna.

2015: Vetlanda.

2014: Vetlanda.

Tags

Author

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

More news

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

Stockholm Football Clubs Urge Police to Revoke New Mask Ban

Stockholm Football Clubs Urge Police to Revoke New Mask Ban

Allsvenskan Clubs to Benefit from Expanded Fifa Billion Fund

Allsvenskan Clubs to Benefit from Expanded Fifa Billion Fund

Kerr Secures High Jump Gold in Thrilling World Championship Duel

Kerr Secures High Jump Gold in Thrilling World Championship Duel

Alexander Isak Set for Potential Liverpool Debut Against Atlético Madrid

Alexander Isak Set for Potential Liverpool Debut Against Atlético Madrid

Jakob Ingebrigtsen May Skip 5,000 Meters at World Championships

Jakob Ingebrigtsen May Skip 5,000 Meters at World Championships

SHL Halts Red Bull Overtime Concept Amid Criticism

SHL Halts Red Bull Overtime Concept Amid Criticism

Ethan Katzberg's 84.70m Hammer Throw Sets Two-Decade Record

Ethan Katzberg's 84.70m Hammer Throw Sets Two-Decade Record

Maja Åskag Reaches Two Finals at Tokyo World Championship

Maja Åskag Reaches Two Finals at Tokyo World Championship

World Championship Qualifier Serbia vs Albania Moved to Leskovac for Safety

World Championship Qualifier Serbia vs Albania Moved to Leskovac for Safety

Andreas Kramer Faces Challenges at World Championship 800m Event

Andreas Kramer Faces Challenges at World Championship 800m Event

Armand Duplantis Celebrates World Record in Tokyo After Championship Win

Armand Duplantis Celebrates World Record in Tokyo After Championship Win

Norway Donates Match Profits Against Israel to Doctors Without Borders

Norway Donates Match Profits Against Israel to Doctors Without Borders

Engla Nilsson Debuts at World Championship After European Bronze

Engla Nilsson Debuts at World Championship After European Bronze

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Remain on Mountain After Accident

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Remain on Mountain After Accident

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record