– It is the worst thing we have done for a while, Maja Dahlqvist states to news. Linn Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist, Jonna Sundling and Emma Ribom have ensured that the Swedes have been almost unbeatable in sprints in recent seasons. – I’m actually a bit shocked. It was not what I had hoped for today. It is a disappointment, says Johanna Hagström, according to Expressen. Swedish “giant fiasco” She was one of those who was nominated as a candidate for victory in the absence of Ribom, who returned home from Norway on Thursday. Hagström came second in the classic sprint in Ruka – just behind Ribom – but failed in the semi-finals at Beitostølen. SWEDISH PROFILE: Johanna Hagström. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN When asked by Aftonbladet what she would think if someone said before the race that no Swedes could go to the final, she replies: – Are they joking? It is roughly the same reaction as the news experts have to the same question: – I would not have thought so. I didn’t have that, says Therese Johaug. – I had thought you were wrong, says Torgeir Bjørn. – That can’t possibly be true!, says Fredrik Aukland. The achievements are referred to as “giant fiasco” in the Swedish media. Advance favorites Dahlqvist and Hagström went out in the semi-finals. A disappointed Frida Karlsson and Ingrid Hallquist disappeared in the quarter, while Jenny Solin and Lovisa Modig only made it through the prologue. Dominating sprints Before Beitostølen, nine of the last twelve sprint races had a Swedish winner. Eleven of them had at least one Swedish entry on the podium, and both the WC and Olympic gold went to the neighboring country, of course. – I can’t remember the last time I missed a final, and today we don’t have anyone there, says Maja Dahlqvist to news, clearly disappointed. Sting from Norway Almost two years have passed since the Swedes were not represented in a sprint final on the women’s side. Then it was the corona pandemic that meant that they did not start in Dresden. – There are new times now, smiles national team coach Stig Rune Kveen to news. Trønder says it with a twinkle in his eye, but he is obviously satisfied with the efforts of the Norwegian women at Beitostølen. Lotta Udnes Weng took her first podium place when she was beaten by Nadine Fähndrich, while twin sister Tiril linked her grip on the yellow leader’s jersey in the World Cup with a 4th place. – It is inspiring for the Norwegian team that there are three Norwegians in the final hall and no Swedes, says Kveen – who warns that there will be no time for rest: – The Swedish team is rock solid, so we have to keep working hard. But it was a bright spot for the Swedes. At home in Idre, Linn Svahn finally stood on the starting line again after more than 600 days on the sidelines. She just as well won the sprint and will probably soon be seen at the start of the World Cup. BACK WITH A BANG: Linn Svahn (centre) won ahead of Moa Hansson and Lisa Ingesson during the Ford Smart Energy Cup in Sweden. Photo: EMMA WALLSKOG / BILDBYRÅN
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– Are they joking or not? – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
