Kristianstad. He retired after last year’s SM Final and turns 41 tomorrow.
But tonight Kristian Svensson was playing a key role as Skovd reached the final of a new Swedish championship.
Full blow, he says after beating Kristianstad 36-31.
Now the veteran opens to play another year.
Christian Svensson’s dream a year ago was to end his career by finally winning Sweden’s first gold for parent club IFK Skövdes.
But Skövde had no chance against Sävehof in the final: 0-3 in matches.
Svensson, who played his first Swedish final in 17 years, put the label on the shelf and became an assistant coach at IFK.
But when Skövde ran into injury problems, the “handball retiree” returned at the end of October.
Since then, Svensson has played, albeit in a secondary role.
Made 8-0 in ten minutes
In the semi-finals, until tonight he was mostly playing in defense and only hitting one shot (and one goal) in three matches.
But when Skövde was able to secure a new final spot at Kristianstad, the veteran stepped forward.
Svensson started off the bench but when he came 8-8 after 14 minutes, he was given a leading role when Skövde practically decided the match. He scored three goals when the guests scored 8-0 (!) in ten minutes.
Skövde went into the first half with a 19-12 lead.
dream live
The second half was a transitional period since Skovde tackled Kristianstad’s point in a nod to game engine Matthias Helt Jepsen right after the break, and even went on to advance to 11 goals for a while.
The final score was 36-31.
– I couldn’t believe it would flow and become so comfortable. But we decided on our fourth quarter-final away game last year, so we’ve done it before, says Svensson afterwards.
41 years tomorrow?
– Or at midnight on the home bus, as the boys say (laughs).
This gives him a new chance to finish the long-awaited Swedish Championship gold for himself and the club.
Of course it feels great. I’m happy for my own good but above all happy that we as a team can stand up and take a new final spot after a rather difficult season.
It can last for another year
If he quit now after this season? The team’s second right winger, Jack Thorin, is leaving for Porto after the season.
– I can say a lot that I’m going to hoist junk in pre-season and not paddle like I did last year.
To be prepared if necessary?
– I think it’s a lot of fun but Sigi (coach Henrik Signel) and Jof (sporting director Ulf Nystrom) are the ones who decide. I wouldn’t stand in anyone else’s way, but if they think I agree, I think it’s a lot of fun and then I’ll drive, says Svensson.
It remains to be seen which Svensson and Skovdey will face in the final.
Ystads IF had the opportunity to secure one last place away from home against Sävehof tonight and achieve a slightly exciting 3-0 win on the matchday series.
But Sävehof got up and won 34-24 (16-15) after an impressive second run.