Europe Top-16 Cup | 1 Sep 2021

KARLSSON: Top 16 Cup leaves no room for errors

The 2021 POMEGRANATE Europe Top 16 Cup in Thessaloniki (Greece) will gather the continent's elite on 18-19 September 2021 for the 50th time. Since the first edition in Split 1971, the event has retained significance and exclusivity, previously as the Top 12, and since 2015 – the Top 16 Cup.

All the participating players are coming fresh from the Olympic Games and no 8 seed Kristian KARLSSON is no an exception. He and his Swedish team reached the quarterfinal at the Men's Teams Event in Tokyo.

"We were disappointed that we couldn't go further than the quarterfinals in the Olympics but Japan proved too strong for us that day," admitted KARLSSON.

A quarterfinal is far from a failure but for sure KARLSSON is carrying the burden of nation which is one of the most successful in the world.

KARLSSON has played in the Top 16 six times so far.

"Top 16 is always a prestigious event which I always look forward to participate in! I think my fourth place in Gondomar was my best competition in this event to date," said Kristian who also reached fifth position two years ago in Switzerland.

The system of play is very demanding, with the two day tournament consisting only of knock out phase.

"Europe Top 16 is always a very tough competition which leaves no room for errors."

There were not much time for a long break after Tokyo.

"I had some holidays after, which I spent at home with family and then one week in Cyprus with my girlfriend. Preparations for Top 16 comes naturally in Düsseldorf where our league have started and we are full underway with the new season," concluded KARLSSON.