It was after barely twenty minutes of play in the Handball League’s series final that the incident occurred. Olivia Mellegård feinted into Skuru’s goal area and shot at the post, after the finish she landed badly with her left leg.
– I got a lump in my stomach, says watching national team captain Tomas Axnér to SVT Sport.
– It’s terrible when you hear her scream. It’s hard to hold back the emotions, all thoughts about her of course, says goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen.
See Olivia Mellegård’s reaction after landing in the player above.
The 27-year-old received treatment immediately and her knee was wrapped. Then Mellegård was helped to be guided by the plan.
Torn the cruciate ligament twice before
– You almost don’t even dare to look at it. It’s really boring … oh, I almost get a little moved. You know how much she has fought and her story. It’s terrible, says teammate and national team teammate Nina Koppang in the Handball League’s live broadcast.
– It’s almost like I’m starting to cry, says Sävehof’s coach Jesper Östlund with a trembling voice during the series finale, which ended with a 33-24 win for the home team Sävehof.
Olivia Mellegård tore the cruciate ligament in her left knee in 2020, and in April 2022 she injured the cruciate ligament in her right knee. Last fall, she was back in the national team and played at the home WC last winter, where Sweden finished fourth.