Sweden was once again disappointed in the relay race of the World Ski Championships in Planica. On Thursday, Sweden fought for the bronze with the Finnish women, even though Sweden was supposed to be the favorite to win.
On Friday, Sweden was only left in sixth place. Finland and Germany unexpectedly reached the medals after Norway.
Emotions ran high in the Swedish team after the relay disappointment. Skied the third section William Poromaa showed the middle finger to the Swedish broadcaster SVT’s cameraman after the race.
– I found it tiring that he stood and photographed me. I am always photographed by many cameras. I was bored, Poromaa explained to SVT (you switch to another service).
Sweden was still in contention for a medal before the final stage. Calle Halfvarsson started to keep pace as anchor, but brought Sweden to the finish line only in sixth place.
Sports expert Ville Nousiainen sent Halfvarsson a thank you note after Finland’s World Cup silver. Halfvarsson did not pull the group chasing Finland at such a speed that the group would have reached Finland.
According to Halfvarsson, it was not possible that he would be able to catch Suomen and Niko Anttolan.
– I understood in time that we won’t catch Finland. Then I tried to lower the tempo in order to stay in the fight for bronze, Halfvarsson told Sporten.
– We had no chance against Finland when Iivo Niskanen started to keep pace in the second leg.
However, Halfvarsson did not blame the Swedish skier of the second stage Jens Burman. He was in a very self-critical mood.
– It didn’t matter. However, we would have lost. I was too bad in the last leg, Halfvarsson described.
At first, Halfvarsson had hoped that Anttola could darken.
– At the same time, I thought that he is young and gets to go with us in a big way. If I had been that age, I would have thought it cool and become more cheerful, Halfvarsson said.
Halfvarsson didn’t know much beforehand about Anttola, who skied as junior world champion this winter.
– I had only heard that he is young and promising. He looks good. It’s good if Finland has a skier like that, Halfvarsson described.
Halfvarsson was disappointed with the coaching management’s decision
In 2013, 2015 and 2017, Halfvarsson, who was in Sweden’s World Cup relay medal teams criticize in an interview with SVT (you will switch to another service) also coaching management. The Swedish star thought it was a bad decision that he was chosen for the anchor part.
– It was wrong that I was put as an anchor. I have done my part with the anchor sections. I’m disappointed. It is difficult to achieve anything with such an attitude, Halfvarsson said.
Halfvarsson meant that he had made his opinion clear to the coaching staff. Halfvarsson would have preferred to ski the traditional section.
– If I am chosen as an anchor, what should I do? Just trying my best. But with that in mind, it would have been better to put Poromaa on the last leg. I wouldn’t have received any sprint cannons.
Swedish men’s coach Anders Högberg understood Halfvarsson’s criticism.
– I am aware that he hoped to be able to ski the traditional sections. Based on the World Championships, we concluded that this would have been the best skiing order, Högberg said.
The Swedish national team has also been in turmoil after the women’s relay because Frida Karlsson barked his skis and Sweden’s Swedish maintenance and lubrication manager Petter Myhlback was on different lines. He thought the women’s equipment was good.
– I’m tired of the fact that as soon as the results are not what everyone wants, the reason is in the equipment. We are doing a damn good job in the maintenance group, Myhlback stated to the Swedish media on Thursday.
According to Expressen, the athletes and ski maintenance held a crisis meeting on Thursday evening.
According to information from Aftonbladet (you will switch to another service) the athletes have not been satisfied with Myhlback’s comments.
– There have been some strange statements, Halfvarsson confirmed after the men’s message to Aftonbladet.
According to Aftonbladet, there have been disagreements throughout the season. However, the messengers did not criticize their skis on Friday.
William Poromaa also stated that the war of words seen on Thursday was not pretty to watch.
– It is a mistake to come out and say different things. You don’t talk beforehand about what is right and wrong. However, I have confidence in my ski custodian, Poromaa said and assured his credit to Myhlback as well.