SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

The Silver Medalist's Promise: "We Will Tear It Down"

It was a long time since Sweden was so close to breaking down the Chinese ping-pong wall. China's superstar Ma Long is impressed by the new generation of blue-yellow table tennis stars. It's a relief to have won, he says after the tight Olympic Games final.

» Updated: 21 August 2024

» Published: 09 August 2024

The Silver Medalist's Promise: "We Will Tear It Down"
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

In the four previous Olympic Games finals in team events, China's men lost a total of eleven sets. Sweden took six sets – in three matches.

It was still a Chinese 3–0 victory and their fifth consecutive team gold, but the Swedish players felt that they were close to disturbing the mighty table tennis nation.

We really noticed that they were scared. Truls (Möregårdh) got a deciding set against Fang (Zhendong) and you can really see how much it means to them, says Kristian Karlsson, who himself lost the doubles together with Anton Källberg.

I've never seen Ma Long celebrate like when they won the doubles.

Won everything

Ma Long, the greatest table tennis player of all time, also praises the Swedish effort.

It's a very strong team. Just the fact that they reached the final shows that they're in top form. And they never give up. There were a lot of great balls out there and the difference between victory and defeat hung perhaps only on a few balls, says Ma Long.

He has won everything that can be won. And so far, he has never lost a major championship final against Sweden.

So is he happy that the new generation of Swedish players has taken up the baton after icons like Jörgen Persson and Jan-Ove Waldner, and now challenges China seriously again?

I can't say I'm happy. But the Swedish team is a classic, really strong team. In the past, it was often Sweden against China in the big finals.

New chance in two years

He admits that it was a relief when the Olympic gold was secured. In China, gold is the only thing that counts. Kristian Karlsson believes at the same time that there is something in the Swedish successes that triggers the Chinese.

I think Ma Long has six out of six possible Olympic golds. But they want a challenge too, it can't be fun to win too easily all the time.

The 33-year-old Swede is sure that the wall will soon be breached again. The next chance comes in the 2026 World Championship team event.

It will take a few more matches, but we're on the right track. During my lifetime, I believe we will breach it.

What's missing for you to beat China?

We're on an upward trend. If you compare with the World Championship semi-finals in Halmstad (2018), we're significantly closer. And it feels like the margins are smaller in table tennis now. There are more upsets than 5–10 years ago. If it continues in the same trend, it speaks for everyone else.

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

More news

United turned against the bottom team – hattrick for Diallo
1 MIN READ

United turned against the bottom team – hattrick for Diallo

Competition moved after LA fires
1 MIN READ

Competition moved after LA fires

Ayari behind the win – sank Ipswich
1 MIN READ

Ayari behind the win – sank Ipswich

Veterans shone in Swedish premiere crush
3 MIN READ

Veterans shone in Swedish premiere crush

Åslund back after seven weeks: "A real blow"
2 MIN READ

Åslund back after seven weeks: "A real blow"

The Fans Showed Support – Victory for Crisis-Hit Rögle
1 MIN READ

The Fans Showed Support – Victory for Crisis-Hit Rögle

Giant Upset – Star Eliminated by 19-year-old
1 MIN READ

Giant Upset – Star Eliminated by 19-year-old

After the Brain Injury – Holmlund Bets on Swimming
1 MIN READ

After the Brain Injury – Holmlund Bets on Swimming

The Swedish Sensation: "I haven't felt this good"
2 MIN READ

The Swedish Sensation: "I haven't felt this good"

The Swedish sensation: "I haven't felt this good"
2 MIN READ

The Swedish sensation: "I haven't felt this good"

Austria confirms: Will recruit Northug
1 MIN READ

Austria confirms: Will recruit Northug

World Championship in danger – lack of snow may stop Swedish star
2 MIN READ

World Championship in danger – lack of snow may stop Swedish star

Sjöström crushed the opposition – sixth prize
1 MIN READ

Sjöström crushed the opposition – sixth prize

Lindsey Vonn fell during downhill training
1 MIN READ

Lindsey Vonn fell during downhill training

The Swede's Olympic medal is tarnishing: "A bit annoying"
3 MIN READ

The Swede's Olympic medal is tarnishing: "A bit annoying"

Despite the announcement – the women's national team to Gamla Ullevi
1 MIN READ

Despite the announcement – the women's national team to Gamla Ullevi

Slow-starting Sinner advances in Melbourne
1 MIN READ

Slow-starting Sinner advances in Melbourne

Confirmed: Beach Volleyball Stars Compete in Sweden
1 MIN READ

Confirmed: Beach Volleyball Stars Compete in Sweden

Niclas Bergmark gets dialysis – needs a new kidney
1 MIN READ

Niclas Bergmark gets dialysis – needs a new kidney

18-year-old star fell in thriller
1 MIN READ

18-year-old star fell in thriller