Sweden suffered a crushing defeat in the semi-finals of the World Cup. Joel Eriksson Ek, who scored the overtime goal against Finland in the quarterfinals, would not like to play in the bronze medal match.
Sweden’s disappointment knew no bounds in Prague on Saturday. The host country, the Czech Republic, humiliated Tre Kronor and marched into the World Cup final, cheered on by a ecstatic home crowd.
Tre Kronor, who came to the World Cup tournament with the highest hopes, fell flat in the bronze medal match. There was no doubt about the winner of the semi-final. The Czech Republic defeated Sweden with 7-3 goals.
Sweden knocked out Finland on Thursday in the quarterfinals. The decisive goal was then scored in overtime Joel Eriksson Ek.
On Saturday, the Minnesota NHL star swallowed the semifinal loss in the interview area of the Prague arena.
– This is of course a big disappointment, really. We came here to win. Big disappointment, Eriksson Ek repeated.
After 2018, Sweden has never received a medal from the World Championships. Eriksson Ek was asked if there is a bigger reason for the lack of success for a long time.
– I do not believe. All teams are always different, he was content to answer.
Eriksson Ek was able to tell right after the end of the game what was going on in Sweden.
– We gave them too many chances. But they also defended well. We didn’t have the patience required to win, he analyzed.
The fate of the Swedish NHL star-studded team is now to play for the dullest medals. Eriksson Ek doesn’t like it.
– It’s a game you wouldn’t want to play. But now we have to try to forget this match and win bronze tomorrow.