– It wasn’t quite what I had expected before the match, but when I scored the first goal, it felt like this was a day where I had a little flow and the puck was on my side, Lina Ljungblom told DN.
– But I couldn’t believe that there would be four goals, she continues with a laugh.
Although the Easter Eve match against Hungary was only the Women’s Crowns’ second World Cup match in Canadian Brampton, it was something of a fateful match.
The last two teams in Sweden’s group B are moved down to the B-WC, and with the Swedish loss in the opening match against Germany, the pressure on the Swedish team was great. The women’s crowns needed to win against Hungary or relegation would have threatened around the corner.
Thanks to the four-goal scorer Lina Ljungblom, and her collaboration with Sweden’s most talented player, 16-year-old Hilda Svensson, that threat was greatly reduced.
Sweden’s important victory against Hungary instead means that a quarter-final place is close.
– I think we have a calmness in our game throughout the match, but with that said we have things to work on and things that must be improved, says Ljungblom.
Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg/Bildbyrån
In the WC premiere Sweden took the lead already after ten seconds when 16-year-old World Cup debutant Hilda Svensson scored the 1–0 goal.
In the match against Hungary on Easter Eve, it took three minutes before the first goal of the match came, and this time too Hilda Svensson was involved.
The 16-year-old worked hard to get the puck and managed to deliver a well-balanced pass to Lina Ljungblom, who gave Damkronorna the lead with 1-0.
– The fact that we got to score a goal so early naturally created good energy, says Lina Ljungblom.
The first chain with Hilda Svensson, Lina Ljungblom and Hanna Olsson continued to convince after the goal.
Just over three minutes later, Ljungblom scored two goals, this time also assisted by Hilda Svensson.
Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg/Bildbyrån
Hungary retorted however quickly. Just over a minute later they reduced the score to 2–1, and when they got the chance to play in numerical superiority soon after, the 2–2 goal came.
Then Lina Ljungblom stepped forward again.
21-year-old answered for a hat-trick when she was numerically superior with her 3-2 goal, of course assisted by the talent Hilda Svensson, ensured that Sweden was once again in the lead
– Hilda and I find each other very well out there on the ice, but we shouldn’t forget Hanna Olsson either. She is absolutely fantastic to play with, says Lina Ljungblom.
Before the swinging and eventful period was over, Linnea Andersson had increased the lead to 4–2.
Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg/Bildbyrån
The rest of the match was not as goal-oriented or swingy, but Lina Ljungblom continued to have fun on the ice.
In the fifth minute of the second period, it was she who increased Sweden’s lead to 5–2.
The next Swedish goal was scored by the player who assisted the first three. 16-year-old Hilda Svensson increased the Swedish lead to 6–2 in numerical superiority in the third period. It was the last goal of the match.
Defender Paula Bergström was forced to leave the arena in a wheelchair after she crashed into the sideline in a duel with Hungary’s Petra Szamosfali. Whether she can play more in the WC remains to be seen.
Already on Easter Sunday, Sweden plays its next match. Then the Women’s Crowns meet Finland, which has started the WC with two straight victories.
– We know that Finland has skilled players, and there will be no room for mistakes against them, says Lina Ljungblom.
