PHOTO: SVT
Joel Lundqvist is one of the SHL’s best players ever.
And when he gets to see his tribute film in Master of Masters, emotions overflow.
– There were so many emotions, fantastically nice!, he says in the SVT programme.
We are in the middle of the sixteenth season of the acclaimed SVT program Master of Masters. It has been described as the toughest season ever, but you are also struck by how incredibly good the atmosphere among the participants is.
Joel’s tribute film
Many have shown themselves from their very best side and when it is time for Joel Lundqvist tribute film so the tears take over. Because even though it’s only about hockey, the images go straight to the heart.
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The SVT presenter Mike Leijnegard guides through the hockey legend’s long and successful career.
– Joel Lundqvist has been called the “Captain of the Captains” in Swedish hockey. And there is a reason. For many, he is an icon in hockey Sweden. And it’s clear, if you’ve played 1,089 games in the SHL and won 11 championship titles, including three World Cup golds with Tre Kronor, you’re one of the greats, says Leijnegard in tonight’s episode.
– I probably thought they belonged to the past, the hockey heroes of the old days who could decide matches with just one look. But in that case, you are a modern exception, Joel. I myself have seen you judge teammates, spectators and opponents – but also made the referees unsure. It makes you a living hockey legend.
Wins WC gold
Lundqvist is one of Frölunda’s greatest icons in the club’s history, but he has also done so much for Tre Kronor. With his three WC golds, he is, together with three others, the only ones to have won so many gold medals, and then we are talking about greats like Sven Tumba, Mats Sundin and Jonas Bergqvist.
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Then the focus becomes the hockey World Cup 2017, when Joel manages to persuade the twin brother Henrik Lundqvist to leave North America to play together in the national team jersey.
– I texted him that it was a good bunch. I saw the chance that it could be the situation we’ve been waiting for all these years. It was big, we had grown up together and experienced so much in each direction. Now we would somehow close the circle, it felt like it was perfect timing for everything, says Joel Lundqvist in SVT.
Moved to tears
It was a childhood dream to win WC gold together and when the final against Canada goes to penalties, “Henke” steps forward as the great hero and saves everyone. A classic Swedish sporting moment and the perfect sunshine story for the twin brothers who get to lift the WC trophy on the ice, in front of their proud parents in the stands.
– To be able to stand there, national anthem, the flag goes up, the brother…, says an obviously emotional Joel who is forced to hold back tears.
– Uh, it was… It was so emotional. To close the circle. There was so much emotion in that moment and to be able to share it here was amazing!
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The film about Joel Lundqvist’s hockey life moves the other participants to tears and everyone becomes extremely emotional.
– That Joel and Henrik got to play together and that their parents were in the stands. Oof, I feel how moved I am and it just burst and tears came. It’s so nice, it’s so fucking nice, says Tony Rickardsson in the new episode of Master of Masters.
– It’s great to see how Joel is touched by this. Life has moved on after his career and he probably hasn’t had much time to reflect on what a great career he had. It was emotional, says Emma Johansson.
– What I take with me from Joel is the love for the sport. That start from when you’re small and scooping up a small plan in the backyard. That’s the core of everything really, says Anja Pärson.
– He has all the qualities that I myself value so incredibly much and knows how much that means to a team. In my opinion, Joel, as an athlete, ranks at the absolute top, says Sebastian Larsson.
Surely this goes straight to the heart and brings tears? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Now the truth about the luxury house in Mästarnas mäster is revealed – how much do the participants’ homes cost during the SVT program
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