Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships
Sweden won the last medal for Europeans at the World Championships in Kuala Lumpur in 2000. They beat China in the final. 16 years later they will meet China again on their way to the medal rostrum at the Perfect 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships.
On they way to the quarters Sweden beat Croatia in straight games.
“Croatia has a three very strong players but we were safe from the moment when Kristian KARLSSON beat their leading player – Andrej GACINA. He played very aggressive ” said Swedish Coach Marcus SJÖBERG. “PUCAR also improved his game. Certainly now I’m delighted with the whole team effort; it is especially pleasing as we are playing without Pär GERELL he is home in Sweden sick. Mattias KARLSSON has been particularly strong in close matches; Jon PERSSON was drafted in to the team to replace Pär GERELL and he has just beaten Zoran PRIMORAC.”
Now a familiar foe awaits; the final of 2000 in Kuala Lumpur when against the odds China beat Sweden in the Men’s Team final is 16 years later a quarter-final duel. “Happy memories on that occasion Sweden was not expected to win” concluded Marcus SJÖBERG. “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
