Sweden’s best WC – then a bronze tasted best

For the first time in history, Sweden’s national cross-country team has collected twelve medals at a championship.

Sweden has also never won four golds, as in Planica, at the same championship before.

Nevertheless, it is almost not the four first places that please the national team management the most afterwards, but a bronze.

The gentlemen had to contribute

William Poromaa’s third place in the final five mile meant that the men also contributed to the record.

— You can never say that it is worth more, but its importance is great. Because there are some kind of barriers that release. That is why we are so relieved and happy about this medal, says national team manager Anders Byström.

Had Poromaa not succeeded in the 50-kilometer race in classic style, it would have meant a fifth medalless championship in a row for the men. That had caused that medal record to leave a certain aftertaste behind.

— Then it would have become this championship where we broke records, but where only the ladies did it. Now the boys have contributed and I think that feeling means a lot. Because it can’t be just ladies. Now the gentlemen join in and contribute, then they get a cake tonight too.

“Incredibly anticipated”

Lars Ljung and Anders Högberg joined the national team as new men’s coaches three years ago, in the middle of the medal drought. Now their dedicated work has finally paid off

— It is incredibly long-awaited and incredibly important, there are so many who have worked so hard for this medal. Not only Wille but many around as well. For Swedish men’s skiing, it’s a really cool day and a fantastically long-awaited medal, says Ljung.