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: August 21 2024

» Published: August 09 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

Grand Slam Track Launches with
2 MIN READ

Grand Slam Track Launches with 130 Million Kronor Prize Pool

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty After Speedway Crash

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three Goals Shy of Gretzky's Record

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over
3 MIN READ

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over Silence on Canada-US Tensions

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third Straight Win at World Championship

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety
2 MIN READ

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety in Hockey Equipment Industry

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines in Miami's Victory Over Washington

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash