PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sebastian Samuelson and Johannes Thingnes Bö are great rivals.
Now the Swedish WC hero opens up about their relationship with each other.
– People think we hate each other, says “Sebbe” to SportExpressen.
The Norwegian giant Johannes Thingnes Bö has completely dominated during this year’s biathlon season. In the World Cup, the 29-year-old has had a great playhouse with the world’s elite and at the WC in Oberhof there has been a huge demonstration of power from the Norwegian.
Sebbe bronze
Thingnes Bö has already won three individual WC golds in three attempts and looks set to win even more. Another who has had a much tougher season is Sebastian Samuelsson who, before the WC, did not manage to score a single podium in the World Cup this season.
It was also a nightmare start for “Sebbe”, who failed miserably in the WC premiere and the sprint race. But after that, the Swedish hope took a big revenge and rose considerably by picking two straight individual WC bronzes.
The rivalry
Alongside the track and shooting range, both Samuelsson and Thingnes Bö have sent a lot of slips and passes to each other. Therefore, many outsiders have preconceived notions about the two arch rivals from Sweden and Norway.
But now Sebastian Samuelsson opens up about the big misunderstanding and reveals the truth about the relationship with Johannes Thingnes Bö.
– I think many people have the image that me and Johannes Thingnes Bö, and also Tarjei Bö, hate each other. That we talk shit about each other. People think that Norwegians think I’m shitty and vice versa. But it’s really not like that, admits the Swede to SportExpressen.
Paying tribute to Norway
In fact, it is a game between the rivals, which both are fully engaged in.
– It’s a jargon in the media that we think is very funny. The first to congratulate me after races like this are the Norwegians, reveals Samuelsson and talks about the two bronze races in the interview.
When Samuelsson had enormous problems in the World Cup premiere and pushed away Sweden’s medal chances in the mixed relay, the Norwegians came forward immediately.
– They were the first to hug me, that’s the relationship we have. People must be able to take what they read in the media with a pinch of salt, he says to the evening newspaper.
The article continues after the picture.
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