Sold out at all Sweden’s matches and electric atmosphere in Scandinavium.
The Junior WC in Gothenburg has become a public success.
On Tuesday, the tournament passes 100,000 spectators.
– It has been absolutely fantastic. Above all, the atmosphere is about the Swedish team doing so well and being so successful, says JVM general Mikael Haglund.
The Swedish players have been lyrical about the support from the stands.
Junior crowns forward Felix Unger Sörum says:
– It’s unbelievable, a really cool feeling. Not many people get to be part of it, so you’re incredibly grateful for this chance.
Patch on the door
So far, 98,346 spectators have seen the matches during six game days in Scandinavium and Frölundaborg.
When the quarter-finals are played on Tuesday, 100,000 spectators will be passed and all three remaining days in Scandinavium are basically sold out.
The end goal is to surpass the roughly 144,000 spectators that the last JVM tournament in Sweden drew, that time in Malmö ten years ago.
– But then we had help from Canada playing in Malmö ice stadium, now they are in Scandinavium with Sweden so it has been more difficult to sell tickets to the other group, says Mikael Haglund who was also responsible for that tournament.
Long distance guests
Around 3,000 Canadians are present in Gothenburg and contribute to the party.
– They are a color clique in Scandinavium and in Gothenburg. You can see them all over town and they are so wonderfully happy and humble, says Haglund.
In 2014, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association made a profit of SEK 6.5 million.
– I think it will be difficult to beat, but I dare not say yet where we will end up, says Haglund.
The association’s goal with JVM is not to make a big profit either, but to turn the tournament into a crowd party and attract new spectators to ice hockey.
Many families with children and young people are among the spectators in Scandinavium.
– We have put a lot of energy into accessibility to give everyone the opportunity to come here. There must be ticket prices that suit everyone, says Haglund.
GÖRAN SUNDBERG/TT
Today’s quarterfinals:
Slovakia–Finland (12.00).
Canada–Czech Republic (2:30 p.m.).
USA-Latvia (5 p.m.).
Sweden–Switzerland (19.30).
The semi-finals will be played on January 4 and the medal matches on January 5.
TT NEWS AGENCY
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