Twice again, Poland has stopped the Swedish women’s national team from advancing in the team-EC in table tennis – the Poles beat Sweden in the group during the 2019 and 2021 championships.
Now Blågult got revenge. Via 3-1 in matches in the round of 16 against Poland, the Swedish ladies advance to Friday’s quarter-finals.
— Very nice if you think about the history. No team EC without Poland, now it was real. We lost by 1-3 both times with slightly different players, but it was nice to win now, says Sverigeettan Linda Bergström.
“We are good today”
Singles runner-up Stina Källberg, ranked 84 in the world, showed the way with a brilliant effort in the first match against 44-ranked Natalia Bajor. Via 3–1 in the set, Källberg gave Sweden the best possible start.
— When Stina started with her match, I felt that we are good today. It was really nice that we could tie it together and win 3–1, says Bergström
Now the basic goal of a quarter-final place is secured. Now Portugal awaits in the next phase.
— Now that we’re here, we want to continue playing, says Linda Bergström.
Sweden fell by a narrow 2-3 in matches in the group against Portugal in the team WC last year. Then Stina Källberg was missing due to illness.
— We pressured them without Stina, so I think we should be able to pressure Portugal now. It will be fun to play. It will be fun to really challenge for that medal. I hope we really give ourselves the chance.
Important rest days
Against Poland, Bergström showed a clean game. She won both her matches 3–0 in sets. First she beat Anna Węgrzyn and after Filippa Bergand narrowly lost to Zuzanna Wielgos with 2–3 in the set, Bergström secured the 3–1 victory against Natalia Bajor.
— Today was a good day. I think I was much calmer than on Monday against Spain. The calm made me more relaxed and able to move better. I really tried to enjoy today and not feel too much stress or pressure, says Bergström.
TT: Has there been a lot of emotion because it’s at home?
— Against Spain (on Monday), I got into it wrong from the start and had difficulty finding a way out. These two rest days have been very important. Then I was able to relax, take a step back and gain some perspective, says Linda Bergström.
If Sweden beats Portugal, at least one bronze is secured. In the team EC, no bronze matches are played, but both teams that lose the semi-finals get a medal.