IBF Falun are Swedish Men’s champions after a 5-3 victory against Storvreta IBK in the Swedish Championship final in Gavlehovshallen. This was the sixth gold for Falun, who also secured a ticket to the Champions Cup 2022 in Winterthur, Switzerland.
The Swedish Championship final in Gavlehovshallen in Gävle was a tight match from start. Storvreta had a 2-1 lead after the first period, but in the second period Falun turned the match around and were leading 4-2. And it was the more experienced players, in an otherwise young Falun team, who were behind most of the success. Alexander Galante Carlström scored two goals and Johan Samuelsson one. Rasmus Enström played excellent defensive play, while he was a strong contributor offensively.
— They stepped forward when we needed it the most. They won the match for us, together with Emil Lilja in the goal, says Emil Johansson, in Swedish Floorball Federation’s post-game interview.
Emil Lilja had not played a single match in the play-offs and was also thought to be the second goalkeeper in the final. But when the first goalkeeper Johan Rehn could not play due to Covid-19, Lilja received the message that he would play his first play-off match and also the final. During the match, he played great in the goal and saved Falun several times.
— I’m just saying wow! He’s a superhuman and I had no doubt that he wouldn’t fix it. I really hoped that he would succeed in this way, says Johansson.
Falun extended the lead to 5-2 in the third period. Rasmus Enström dribbled past Storvreta’s defence and put the ball in the net. Storvreta then chased, but they did not come closer than 5-3.
The gold was Falun’s sixth of all time.
— We came into the match strengthened by the fact that many players had recovered from Covid-19 and the preparation was so different. Due to the conditions, the pressure disappeared from our shoulders. We played an incredible game and could enjoy and take advantage of the opportunities. We were underdogs, but showed what a damn great team we are, says Johansson.
Watch highlights from the final on SSL Play.
Match facts
Storvreta IBK-IBF Falun 3-5 (2-1, 0-3, 1-1)
First period
0-1 (09.29) Alexander Galante Carlström (Omar Aldeeb)
1-1 (12.02) Albin Sjögren (Robin Nilsberth)
2-1 (16.13) Filip Eriksson (Liam Åström)
Second period
2-2 (05.03) Alexander Galante Carlström (Rasmus Enström)
2-3 (08.23) Johan Samuelsson (Alexander Galante Carlström)
2-4 (15.06) Victor Wettergren (Omar Aldeeb)
Third period
2-5 (10.47) Rasmus Enström (Johan Samuelsson)
3-5 (14.48) Mattias Samuelsson (Filip Eriksson)
Source: Swedish Floorball Federation & SSL.se
