“The Swedish men were the best in the relay with three teams in the top six,” wrote the Instagram account of the Swedish Orienteering Association after the EC. That caused the Norwegian orienteering team to react, for Kasper Fosser, Eirik Langedal Breivik and Eskil Kinneberg won the EC relay for Norway. The Norwegian association therefore followed up with an Instagram and Facebook post, which addressed the rather funny Swedish definition of “best”. “We will use this opportunity to congratulate Swedish orienteering for being ‘best in the relay’. For future races, we hope they continue to be their definition of best.” This is how the text on the post read, before the Norwegians finished with a jab in Swedish: “2. The location is also great.” Here you can scroll through the entire post: – Greatness The mastermind behind the post for “Norsk Orienteering” is orienteering runner Håvard Sandstad Eidsmo. He is one of several who manage the association’s account. Eidsmo likes to joke a little on social media, and could not let the Swedish expression go unnoticed. – I sat and saw this post from Sweden and actually thought “what a few losers”. I don’t quite know what to say, but I think it was really stupid. They were beaten, explains national team runner Eidsmo to news. THE MAN BEHIND: Håvard Sandstad Eidsmo was behind the jokes on Instagram. Photo: NTB – I posted the post on Instagram mostly for fun. I think things like that are a bit of fun, and to have a bit of a jab at each other, says the 26-year-old. – Have you received feedback from the Swedes? – Unfortunately. I don’t have it. The Swedes admit mistakes So far, no Swedish athletes have liked or commented on the post, but when news contacted the communications manager at Swedish Orienteering (SOFT), it was clear that he had seen the post. Tero Marjamäki laughs when news tells why we are calling. He admits that things went a little too fast when they posted the text that they were the best on Instagram. – My colleague put it out of his eagerness that the relay went so well, so maybe it was a bit of a mistake. But it was fun that things went well for Norway for once, jokes Marjamäki. COMMUNICATION MANAGER: Tero Marjamäki at the Swedish Orienteering Association. Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRÅN Eidsmo confirms his suspicions: – It’s a very Swedish post – everything is always great. It’s classic Swedish, the way I see Sweden. I’m guessing they were very dissatisfied with the championship overall. They made a very good effort in the relay, but the championship was a little below par, he says. – That could be true, replies the Swedish communications manager and adds: – Some things were good and some things we want to improve for next time. The sport of orienteering is very popular in Sweden and earlier this summer the Swedes impressed greatly in the World Cup. – In the World Cup earlier this summer, they were really good, confirms Eidsmo, who points out that he does not want to single out Sweden specifically: – We have to be a little careful, because they are usually better than us, he smiles. The Swedish communications manager hopes the humor on social media can lead to greater support for orienteering in Norway. – The more attention it gets, the better, says Marjamäki, who wants more Norwegian competitors. Eidsmo also believes that a little fun can make a positive contribution to sport: – It’s not certain that it’s so stupid, you shouldn’t rule it out in any case. Published 23.08.2024, at 21.50
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