If there is any discipline in which Sweden will finally win a medal on the men’s side, it is Friday’s relay. That was the attitude long before the WC in Planica and it is still what applies even though it has so far been a pole for the Swedish skaters.
– I think we have a very good chance. We have been fourth in both the Olympics and the WC, so it would have been nice if we had a men’s team on the podium. That’s what we’re aiming for, said Johan Häggström, who starts the relay for Sweden, after his 20th place in 15 kilometers, freestyle, on Wednesday.
Leaving the Swedish the men’s team Planica without a medal, in that case for the fourth championship in a row, “is it a failure”, according to coach Lars Ljung – but that it would mean greater pressure when the championship comes to an end?
– No, I don’t think so, continued Häggström. We beat ourselves out of a disadvantage all the time and it is in the team sprint and relay that we have our greatest chances. It’s about doing well and having good skis, it’s not just about taking home medals. It’s tough, especially with Norway in place.
Photo: Jonas Lindkvist
Norway, yes.
So far, no men’s skater from another nation has won gold in the WC, and barely got to stand on the podium either. France has two bronzes and Italy one silver – otherwise the Norwegians have taken all the medals.
Luckily, they can’t take more than one in the men’s relay.
– Yes exactly. That’s good. We have a good chance of a medal, so we just have to keep fighting, said William Poromaa, who takes care of the third stage for Sweden.
The 22-year-old has done it himself just about everything you could ask for with two fifth places, one in the skiathlon and one in the 15 kilometer long freestyle race. Both times he has had four Norwegians in front of him.
Thus, beating them in a relay is hardly even realistic.
– That’s actually a bit difficult. Nothing is impossible, but they are fast now, noted Poromaa.
Perhaps it is wisest to drop the Norwegian back along the front of the track and focus instead on beating the expected competitors for the silver and bronze.
– Maybe you have to be a little smart, so it doesn’t get too tough and you run into the wall. I will do what I can in any case and then we have to hope that the whole team is on board, said Poromaa, who points out France, Finland and Italy among others as potential medal candidates.
Photo: Jonas Lindkvist
One that hasn’t managed to top the form for the WC is Edvin Anger, who was assumed in advance to be a strong weapon for Sweden in the final stretch – but instead the 20-year-old leaves the WC prematurely.
Before saying goodbye to Planica, he said that it would likely take a very unforeseen incident to stop Norway from winning another gold.
– It is enough that the wallabus should disappear completely. Like burn up, everyone will lose their skis, he said and continued:
– It will be tough to challenge them. They are main favorites so it just screams about it.
The men’s relay starts on Friday at 12:30 p.m.
Read more:
Halfvarsson back – finishes the relay
Andersson and Karlsson critical of the fence manager’s actions: “Wrong way to go”
Swedish gold medalist in the women’s relay – the favorites “only” third: “I screamed hell”
Johan Esk: The Swedish WC crack must be sealed after the relay miss
