Pernilla Winberg has returned to northern Italy as a hockey expert for TV4. No more than 21 kilometers west of Milan, she won Olympic silver for Sweden in Turin in 2006 – an achievement that is still considered the women’s national team’s greatest success of all time.
A few decades later, conditions are almost shockingly similar.
– You almost feel a little nostalgic. “It’s really cool,” says Pernilla Winberg, who was just 16 years old when she scored one of Sweden’s two penalties in the semifinal thriller against the Americans 20 years ago.
After 2-0 against The Czech Republic in the quarterfinals awaits the USA in the next stop. But if Canada was the tournament’s heavy favorite in 2006, the roles are now reversed.
The USA is number one in the rankings, the reigning world champions and defeated Canada in the group stage of the Olympics by a whopping 5-0. For Sweden to end as happily this time as it did in Pernilla Winberg’s time, an even greater achievement is required.
“This is the best version of the United States I’ve ever seen,” Winberg says.
Facts.This is how the Olympic semifinals in the women’s ice hockey tournament unfold
Monday, February 16th
16.40 USA-Sweden
21.10 Canada-Switzerland
The American team has top-class players at every position. Here is perhaps the best defender in the world in Caroline Harvey and one of the best players of all time in striker Hilary Knight. Among other things.
– You are here for one goal and that is Olympic gold. They focus on every effort and respect the opponent, but it is clear that they are a little cocky. It may be a bit of an understatement, but at the same time they will do anything to sail Sweden. That’s the mentality they have, says Winberg.
Against the Czech Republic Sweden was pushed back in its own zone for almost the entire third period – against the USA this will be the case for large parts of the game.
– It’s going to be extremely hard. Anything can happen at the same time. You have to believe in it, but it will be a completely different game than against the Czech Republic.
– It can be a bit difficult for them if Sweden plays tactically smart, like they did against the Czech Republic, who have individually talented players and eliminate them.
So far, Pernilla Winberg believes there is much in the national team’s journey to the Olympic semi-finals in Milan that reminds her of the journey she was part of in Turin.
– We will have a bit of the same feeling as when we played at the Olympics – that this can work. Now that we are back in Italy.
Facts.Dream Five then vs. now
Who on this year’s Olympic team has the same roles as some of the 2006 silver medalists? Pernilla Winberg was tasked with deciding:
Kim Martin, goalkeeper
“Of course I say Ebba Svensson Träff. She is calm and confident, has quick reflexes and is a very agile goalkeeper – just like Kim Martin.”
Gunilla Andersson, back
“Maja Nylén Persson. She’s also a skilled defender with the puck and also has a coolness to her game. Good shot and the boss back there.”
Emma Eliasson, defense attorney
“Then I say Mira Jungåker. She has poise and cockiness and can get under the opponents’ skin a little. She also has offensive skills.”
Maria Rooth, striker
“Hilda Svensson. She is someone who floats forward on the ice and is very skilled with the puck. Like Maria, she does a lot on her own, both as a striker and as a goal scorer. Often decisive when it matters most.”
Erika Holst, striker
“Sara Hjalmarsson. A solid center and two-way player who is difficult to stop. An important leader for this Swedish team to achieve success.”
Pernilla Winberg, striker
“I don’t really want to discount Thea Johansson, she works hard, has done great and is a key player. But someone who is perhaps more similar to me is Hanna Olsson: a striker and hard-working player who finds open passes.”
Read more:
The adrenaline made the super goalkeeper forget the pain
The Olympic History of Women’s Hockey: From Mockery to Praise
