Truls MÖREGÅRDH clinched his fourth and Stina KÄLLBERG clinched her third consecutive title this year at Halmstad Arena which hosted the Swedish National Championships.
In the final against national teammate Anton KÄLLBERG from Söderhamn there was never any doubt. Truls MÖREGÅRDH led from start to finish and secured his fourth consecutive out of a total of five Swedish Championship gold medals in men’s singles at just 22 years old.
“This was really great. I’ve been playing very well at the Swedish Championships for several years in a row now ” said Truls. “I’ve been playing superbly and love competing at the Swedish Championships. When it’s been as close as the last few times my family and relatives have been there and there’s something special that happens to me when I play in front of them. Both at the European Championships in Malmö and at the Swedish Championships I’ve been in really good shape and it’s super fun.”
Another Swedish Championship gold medal is something Truls values highly and he is understandably proud of himself.
“I’m super impressed with myself and it’s not easy to win the Swedish Championships. The fact that Mattias (FALCK) and Kristian (KARLSSON) who are returning after a bit of absence “lose” fairly early proves how difficult it is to win the Swedish Championships. Anton and I have consistently performed well and faced each other many times at the Swedish Championships so hats off to us for maintaining such a high level – I’m very proud of myself for performing well every time.”
For a long time it looked like the final against perennial rival Linda BERGSTRÖM would be a dominating story in KÄLLBERG’S favor. But BERGSTRÖM stepped up her game and it took six sets before Stina KÄLLBERG could finally raise her arms in victory and claim yet another Swedish Championship gold.
“It feels absolutely fantastic. My heart is still racing because it was such an incredibly exciting match in the end. It was tough in the moment when it was so close but almost extra fun afterwards ” stated Stina KÄLLBERG right after the final victory and her third consecutive Swedish Championship gold.
KÄLLBERG got off to a strong start and was able to pull ahead to 3-0 in sets after a massive offensive. Offense was also the keyword for the strategy before the match.
“We train with each other incredibly much so we know each other inside and out. The plan was to play my game and usually that works well but she started blocking quite effectively after the fourth set and then it suddenly felt very difficult to win points so I just had to keep fighting and hope she would make a mistake in the end ” explained Stina. “At 3-0 and 10-7 it felt very good and I started to relax a bit and it’s easy for your mind to wander a bit – what will I do if I win – and suddenly it slips away a real beginner’s mistake. I just have to learn from it.”
Stina KÄLLBERG managed to seal the deal and at 3-2 and 9-8 she decided to just go for it. And victory was finally secured for the home player.
The third consecutive Swedish Championship gold in singles was thus a fact. Additionally it was her tenth overall in senior competitions.
“I hope there will be more ” concluded KÄLLBERG.
Men’s Singles Final
Truls MÖREGÅRDH Eslövs AI BTK – Anton KÄLLBERG Söderhamns UIF 4–0
(11–8 11–5 11–5 11–4)
Women’s Singles Final
Stina KÄLLBERG Halmstad BTK – Linda Bergström Ängby SK 4–3
(11–6 11–4 11–7 12–14 3–11 11–8)
Women’s Doubles
Linn OLSSON Fang ZHANG – Filippa BERGAND Matilda HANSSON 3-0 (11-9 11-9 12-10)
Men’s Doubles
Viktor BRODD Hampus NORDBERG– Anders ERIKSSON Anton KÄLLBERG 3–0 (11–9 11–8 12–10)
Mixed Doubles
Martin FRIIS and Filippa BERGAND – Leah MUSKANTOR Truls MÖREGÅRDH 3-2 (8–11 12–10 13–11 9–11 11–5)
