PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The men’s relay was nothing to hang on the tree from the Swedish side.
Now Björn Ferry criticizes the decision ahead of the race.
– We knew it would be tough, says the former biathlete to SVT.
During Wednesday, the ladies’ relay at the Biathlon World Cup took place. Anna Magnusson, Lynn Persson, Elvira Öberg and Hanna Öberg took Sweden to second place. On Thursday it was time for the men’s relay, and then it got tougher.
Failed the relay
Peppe Femling has taken a break from competing, and Jesper Nelin caught a cold. Then it was the doldis Oscar Brandt and Malte Stefansson who had to take a place in the Swedish team as a stand-in in the relay. Together with the experienced Martin Ponsiloma and Sebastian Samuelsson.
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Brandt drove the first stage and Stefansson the second, and it was very tough for them. They both missed several times, and it took a long time to shoot. Unfortunately, skiing could not save them. At worst, Sweden was down to 18th place during the relay. Luckily, Ponsiluoma and Samuelsson were able to step in and steer up, and take Sweden to an approved sixth place.
Ferry’s criticism
At the same time was Emil Nykvist, who did a solid distance race in the Swedish premiere, in Finland and competed in the IBU Cup, and made a good effort there as well. SVT’s commentators get that Bjorn Ferry and Ola Branholm to question the national team’s team selection.
– Now I still want to press you a little more on this matter. Both you and Helena Ekholm sits on Sunday and says that Emil Nykvist will drive for Sweden in the relay. He did a perfectly okay distance race (in the Swedish premiere in Idre). Why then send him to Finland, when there are also problems in the team in general? asks Bränholm Ferry in SVT’s broadcast.
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Bränholm also states that a relay in the World Cup at home is still more important than the IBU Cup.
– Yes, it’s a bit of a mystery, I’ll say that. I think that such as Anton Ivarsson shows in Idre that he has potential, and as a relay runner he should be able to be really good. Looking forward to the WC, I think it will be between Anton Ivarsson and Peppe Femling as to who will be the fourth man in the relay team. Possibly Emil Nykvist.
– But, yes… Oskar Brandt. It is difficult to tell. But in retrospect, I agree with you Ola. It could have been a different line-up here today, replies Björn Ferry.
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