PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Worst men’s relay in 14 years.
Calle Halfvarsson was also furious after the Swedish medal miss.
– In retrospect, it was wrong, says an angry Halfvarsson to Viaplay.
Norway was the big favorite and didn’t disappoint in the men’s relay either. When the Norwegians won the fifth straight WC gold after a completely superior performance in the relay.
Norway WC gold
The Norwegian relay team already decided after three minutes when Hans Christer Holund set an insane speed and pulled away, after that they had a very calm journey all the way to the finish line. Finland also pulled away from the other riders on the second leg when Iivo Niskanen took off.
– There was something wrong with how fast it went. I didn’t have a chance, it was brutal, says the Swedish skater Jens Burman to Viaplay.
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Finland then comfortably won the World Cup silver and it was a tough battle for the World Cup bronze instead. But on the very last lap, Sweden failed to keep up and the last man Calle Halfvarsson had to give up.
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Halfvarsson angry
In the end, it was a sixth place in the men’s relay and it is the worst performance of a Swedish relay team in 14 years. After the finish, Halfvarsson was furious and threw his skis first before going and sawing his own national team in the mixed zone.
– I don’t keep up with skating, that’s what I’ve always said. I was set on driving a classic route, but had to change. In hindsight it was wrong, I should have driven a classic route. I have said that I wanted to go classic, but then the leaders take the team out, he says to Viaplay.
– It’s too bad, but unfortunately I don’t measure up today for a final stretch.
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Calle Halfvarsson was forced to take the last stretch after Edwin Anger left the ski WC and returned to Sweden again. Also the relay colleague William Poromaa was really annoyed after the Swedish sixth place.
– It’s bad. Very bad. I’m not catching up to the pimple, but it’s way up. It’s hard to do anything when it’s just me and the Frenchman who want to drive, he tells the TV channel.
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