PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The Swedish table tennis men delivered a feat of victory.
Now the Swedish irritation is vented towards the opponent.
– It’s a watershed that many are bothered by, says commentator Björn Geijer in Max.
Sweden was responsible for the most powerful turnaround of all time in the table tennis team game during the Olympics. In the semi-final against Japan, they were in a really bad place with a 0-2 deficit, but then the blue-yellow pick-up that would become historic began.
The Swedish feat
Truls Möregårdh won his match, Christian Karlsson won his match and Anton Källberg completed the feat in the fifth and final match by defeating the world number nine Tomokazu Harimoto. Now a sensational Olympic final awaits the Swedish team for the first time ever.
The article continues after the picture.
But after the Olympic shock, the Japanese Harimoto in particular has caused strong reactions. Because of his well-known behavior where he screams very loudly after every point won.
The irritation in the Olympics
Which has clearly irritated both Swedes and TV viewers during the Olympics.
– It’s a watershed, some like that he’s so involved but many are bothered, says the TV commentator Björn Geijer in Max.
– Sometimes it might be a bit loud, but it’s not rude to any opponent, but more to yourself, says the TV expert Pär Gerell.
The article continues after the picture.
The Swedish players admit that they have had to get used to the loud roars from the opponent.
– We have met many times and I have seen him play probably a million times and it feels like he is always like that. It would be really weird if he didn’t. Then you should bother with it instead, says the hero Källberg to Expressen.
– It is nothing personal against us or against the opponent. That’s how he’s been playing table tennis since he was five years old.
The word of Japan
But the national team captain Jorgen Persson is more convinced that it detracts from Harimoto’s performance rather than bothering others.
– It takes a lot of power. If you scream so much after each point, then the gas runs out a little and he might have needed it, he says to the evening newspaper.
– Now it was very tight, but he screams a lot and we have gotten used to it.
READ MORE: Unexpected Swedish Olympic hero Anton Källberg’s heartwarming words after the match of his life – the admission that touches everyone: “I feel that…”
The 21-year-old Tomokazu Harimoto himself has explained that the screams give him even more confidence during the matches. And that he has received a lot of criticism for his behavior.
– I know there are many opinions. But as long as the judge doesn’t comment on it, I’ll continue. And if I get a promise, I tone it down, he says.
What do you think of the Swedish table tennis men’s performance in the Olympics? Share the article and have your say!
Sign up for our newsletter
Share