When only six seconds remained in the second period, Robert Rosén placed the puck that proved to be decisive for Växjö to salvage the gold with 4–1 in games.
— A fantastic pass by “Marre” (Martin Lundberg) that gives me an open goal, says Rosén humbly about his path-breaking finish that almost brought the arena to a boil.
Enjoyed the support
The last time Växjö won gold (2021) it was done during the restrictions of the pandemic, in front of 8 spectators in the arena. This time the people of Småland got to celebrate in front of a note on the door, 5,750 people.
“That’s how you think it should be every year for those who win, to win on their home turf,” says Robert Rosén to TT.
— The support and pressure in the stands has been completely unimaginable, interjects Växjö’s team captain Erik Josefsson.
After last season’s exit in the quarter-final game, Jörgen Jönsson replaced former gold coach Sam Hallam. When asked what has been Växjö’s golden recipe, Rosén replies that they did not invent the wheel.
— It’s the same as with all the golds. The structure and team feeling. Everyone pulls their weight and no one sees themselves as bigger than the team.
Småland’s golden eagle. Ducks about the future
Trailing 1–0, Växjö shut down Skellefteå for large parts of the third period. The second and third came when the visitors played without a goalkeeper.
“It’s about the security we have,” says Erik Josefsson regarding the team’s ability to swing the pendulum to their advantage in the decisive situations.
— I’m overjoyed, completely unimaginable to win again, adds Josefsson.
Both Växjö veterans have expiring contracts. A few minutes after the final whistle, neither Robert Rosén nor Erik Josefsson were particularly keen to talk about their respective futures as hockey players.
“Today is Monday, so there will be quite a party,” says Josefsson.
TT: Fancy playing more hockey?
— Not today, says the team captain.
— We have said that we will take it after the season. Hockey is great fun, no talk about it. We’ll see what happens, answers Robert Rosén.