Sweden had waited 24 years to win a medal at the Olympic Games and now the men’s team will play in their second final within five days. After Truls MÖREGÅRDH clinched silver in the Men’s Singles event Sweden also reached the ultimate stage in the Team event at Paris 2024.
From being down 0-2 they pulled back to 2-2. In the decider Tomokazu HARIMOTO led Anton KÄLLBERG 2-0 and was just 11 points away from the final. But with nerves of steel and a pivotal forehand that set Paris alight KÄLLBERG completed the ultimate comeback winning 11-9 in the fifth set. Sweden is now guaranteed their first team medal at the Olympic Games. They will face the winner of France and China for gold.
After Hiroto SHINOZUKA and Shunsuke TOGAMI beat Anton KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON in the opening doubles duel Tomokazu HARIMOTO secured a 2-0 lead with his win over Truls MÖREGÅRDH.
During the opening doubles match KARLSSON suffered from a previous calf strain. He was bandaged for his singles match but was disturbed by the bandaging in the first losing set so he threw it away. That became the start of KARLSSON’S and Sweden’s incredible comeback.
He changed the course of the match with his victory over Shunsuke TOGAMI before Truls MÖREGÅRDH pushed the match to a decisive point with his victory over Hiroto SHINOZUKA.
In the clash between Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Anton KÄLLBERG the Swede was overwhelmed in the first two games but then staged an epic comeback. KÄLLBERG won the next three games clinched it with 11–9 and sent the Swedish team to the final.
Semi final: Japan – Sweden 2-3
Hiroto SHINOZUKA/Shunsuke TOGAMI – Anton KÄLLBERG /Kristian KARLSSON 3-1 (8-11 11-9 11-4 11-7)
Tomokazu HARIMOTO – Truls MÖREGÅRDH 3-1 (13-11 9-11 11-5 12-10)
Shunsuke TOGAMI – Kristian KARLSSON 1-3 (11-7 9-11 9-11 5-11)
Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Truls MÖREGÅRDH 1-3 (5-11 6-11 11-5 10-12)
Tomokazu HARIMOTO – Anton KÄLLBERG 2-3 (11-5 11-5 7-11 7-11 9-11)
