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Day 7 - Sweden vs. Wales

This would be a tough game for both Sweden and Wales. Both very much want a victory to proceed to the 9th place game in the Stadium tomorrow! Sweden was able to set the opening one on a unassisted goal by Benny Axelsson. 1-0 Sweden. Both teams were showing a bit of nerves as the defense was tough and there were several unforced errors by both teams. Wales was able to level the score on a fast break and a rare lapse in the defense by Sweden. 1-1 at the end of the quarter.

Sweden opened the quarter and after an intercepted pass by Alexander Edena and a race up the field followed by a quick pass to Stefan Lund and Sweden takes the lead 2-1. Moments later a spin dodge from the right was Kevin Powers put Sweden up 3-1. The quarter then becam slowed by unforced errors on both sides as the teams tried to press the attack. Several EMO's for Wales found them able to capitalize and draw the score to 3-2. The half ended and another tough half awaited both teams.

Not a good start to the 3rd quarter for Sweden as Wales was able to level the score 3-3! Sweden then tightened their defense and excellent goal keeping by Jonathan Andreasson held Wales in check. Sweden finally was able to break the tie by Sten Jernudd from Alexander Edena. Wales then called a stick check on Peter Welff. Illegal stick, 1 minute penalty against Sweden. Sweden kills off the penalty and gets its own EMO chance and is able to capitalize on Edena's unassisted goal. Sweden leads 5-3. Sweden still plagued by unforced errors has a hard time settling their offense, but the defense and goal tending is standing strong. Sweden goes up 6-3 on a EMO by Jernudd from B. Axelsson. The quarter ends with Sweden holding the ball on a unsportsmanlike penalty.

Sweden starts the 4th quarter with possession and extends their lead to 7-3 on an excellent face dodge by Powers. Frustration is beginning to set in for Wales. Another EMO for Sweden sees the Swedes score by Jernudd from Johnny Axelsson and now lead 8-3. Wales calls time-out and with 13 minutes to go is able to pull two goals back on broken plays. 8-5 Sweden and the crowd for both sides is loud and rowdy. The game is tense. Time-out Sweden with 6:57 remaining, the defense is holding. Can the Swedes hold on? Swedish possession and from the X, Powers dodges and seals the game with a diving goal to put Sweden up 9-5.

Not a pretty win, but a great Victory for Sweden! On to the next game and a rematch vs Ireland in the Stadium tomorrow. Today's game was broadcast in Sweden as will tomorrow's vs. Ireland. The player of the game was Martin Davidsson for exceptional defense, good clears with sharp passes to the offense to set Sweden on the path to victory.

2010-07-22

Day 5 of the Lacrosse World Championships

A cool, cloudy day, perfect for a rematch game of Sweden vs Czech Republic. Sweden came out on fire and from the opening possession took the lead with a score by Kevin Powers from Jonas Drakenberg, A great start for Sweden! A few minutes later a fast break clear ended with another Swedish Goal with Johnny Axelsson finishing from Tim Riley. 2-0 Sweden. the Czechs drew even on a couple of EMO's for the Czech Republic. Sweden pulled ahead 3-2 on an EMO with Drakenberg scoring from Benny Axelsson. The Czech Republic responded and the quarter ended even 3-3.

The 2nd quarter began with a turn-over by the Czechs and Sweden capitalizing by Drakenberg on a quick dodge and pass from Alexander Edena. The 2nd quarter was a goal tough quarter with many turnovers caused by excellent defense. Both defenses were forcing many errors and contesting every possession and loose ball. The Swedes were able to extend their half time lead to 5-3 on a EMO by Edena from Drakenberg.

The 3rd quarter began with Sweden leading 5-3! The Swedes began possession control and began to pull away with goals. The swedes won the face-offs and with patience and ball control scored time and again. David Browning extended the lead to 6-3. The Czechs drew one back, and from then on it was all Sweden, A delayed penatly saw Peter Welff run the field and pass to Eddie Frohm who finished the fast break. Sten Jernudd scored next for Sweden from Drakenberg. An EMO for Sweden saw B. Axelsson extend the lead. Jernudd then finished the scoring of the 3rd quarter with assists from Edena and J. Axelsson.

No lead is safe in lacrosse! Leading 11-4, the Swedish team did not come out strong to start the 4th quarter and watched the Czech Republic whittle the lead to 11-7 in a blink of an eye. A time-out by Sweden, saw the Swedes regain the game. Powers scored on a nifty spin doge to stop the Czech advance. Jernudd extended Sweden's lead to 13-7. On a quick face-off fast break, saw the Czech Republic get on back. Edena then strips the Czech goalie after a save and finishes for Sweden. An EMO in which the Swedes waited and waited and waited until Sanny Samuelsson was able to seal the victory with a pass from Powers.

The game players today were Peter Welff and Tim Riley who controlled the face-offs, middle of the field and shut down Brian Hubschmann for the Czech Republic.

REVENGE for Sweden and the sweet taste of victory. Next up, Wales on Thursday. Pictures are found at walax.smugmug.com

2010-07-20

Day 4 - Sweden vs. Ireland

Excitement in the air for Sweden vs. Long Island Irish. The Irish dominated the 1st quarter and jumped out to a quick lead. Sweden was marred by failed clears and the inablility to hold on to the ball during the few offensive possessions they had. Several missed opportunities and EMO's to Ireland and when the dust cleared the quarter ended 6-0 to Ireland. It would prove to big a hole to climb out of.

The 2nd quarter brought new promise as Sweden came out on fire and a quick goal by Johnny Axelsson followed by and EMO and an unassisted spin dodge goal by Benny Axelsson brought the score to 7-2. Ireland answered right back but Sweden responded with a driving goal from the X by Sten Jernudd. A goalie change at the end of the 1st quarter who made several excellent saves to keep Sweden in the game at the half.

The start of the 3rd quarter and Sweden is behind 3-8. They are inspired as they claw their way back in to the game. Jernudd scores on a long shot followed by a great assist from Kevin Powers to B. Axelsson. 5-8 and Sweden is getting close. Powers dodges from the right and scores bringing Sweden as close as they would come 6-8. Ireland began to regroup and with a goal by J. Axelsson from Jenrudd the score at the end of 3 quarters was Ireland 11 - Sweden 7.

The last quarter was marred by failed clears on both sides and excellent play from the goalies. Both sides began to turn over the ball as the field conditions worsened. The final score was Ireland 12 - Sweden 7 and the player of the game for Sweden was Jonathan Andreasson who made several brillant saves when he entered the game and kept Sweden from being blown out.

Next match tomorrow in a rematch with the Czech Republic.

2010-07-19

Day 3 - The Excitement Continues ....

A good day for lacrosse, not hot, over cast, but with no rain. The Czech Republic controlled the possession from the beginning and scored 5 minutes into the 1st quarter with a dodge from the X. With the Czechs controlling the face-offs and possession the upped the score to 3-0 on a EMO goal with 5:18 remaining in the quarter. The Swedes awakened from a slumber and struck back with a goal by Johnny Axelsson from Sanny Samuelsson and with seconds ticking down Kevin Powers took a pass from Alexander Edena, did a quick spin dodge and scored to end the quarter 3-2 to the Czech Republic. The 2nd quarter was a battle for possession with the Czechs extending their lead to 4-2, but the Swedes fought back to bring it with one with Tomas Rydenstam taking a pass from Edena on the X and the score at the half was 4-3 to the Czech Republic. Sweden started the 2nd half strong with great defense and tied the score at 4 all with a clearing break of Tim Riley to Johnny Axelsson! The remainder of the half then belong to the Czechs as they answered directly and extended their lead to 6-4 before the Swedes were able to close to 6-5 with a fast break by Edena from Stefan Lund. 6-5 to the Czech Republic with one quarter to go. The 4th quarter was a penalty ridden quarter with the Czechs capitalizing on several EMO's and increased their lead to 9-5 before the Swedes were able to close the score to 9-6 with a goal by Sten Jernudd from Jonas Drakenberg. The final score Czech Republic 9, Sweden 6. Sweden moves on as the 2nd best 2nd place team and will play Ireland tomorrow at 6:30 pm GMT.

2010-07-18

Day 2 - Lacrosse World Champships

A cold, wet, rainy morning greeted Sweden and Italy for the second game in Red Group. Sweden got off to a shaky start with Italy holding possession. The teams traded possession until an EMO for Sweden. Sten Jernudd recieved a pass from Benny Axelsson and ripped a shot to open the scoring for Sweden. The Swedes came to life and scored again on a fast break from Powers to Jernudd with Sanny Samuelsson finishing.

The 2nd quarter started with Sweden up 3-0. The game opened up with Jernudd scoring unassisted. Italy answered right back. Sweden then rolled off three unanswered goals: Powers dodged left an ripped it top shelf, followed by Jonas Drakenberg unassisted. Some nifty passing saw Samuelsson feed the Swedish captain B. Axelsson for a beautiful right handed finish. After Italy was able to find the net, Drakenberg got an unassited goal to end the half. Sweden 8 - Italy 2 at the half.

The rain began to pour during the third quarter. Stefan Lind opened the scoring and was brutally hit on the goal. Despite the difficult weather conditions, Sweden began to run away from the Italians. Powers from Johnny Axelsson upped the score to 10-2. Eddie Frohm making his Machester debut scored 3 seconds after coming in on the pitch from an assist from Peter Welff. Alexander Edena from J. Axelsson finished the scoring for 3 quarters. Sweden 13 - Italy 2.

Italy would only get one back in the 4th quarter. Many failed clears and penalties marred the final quarter and saw Sweden extend their lead with goals from Powers, Jernudd and Edena. Final score Sweden 16 - Italy 3.

The Czech Republic dominated Mexico 21 - 1 setting up a group final tomorrow with Sweden at 5:30 GMT.

For more information about the Lacrosse World Championships in Manchester and pictures from the Swedish games: go to www.walax.com

2010-07-17

Good luck from Fredrik Ljungberg

Fredrik Ljungberg, midfielder for Seattle Sounder and one of Swedens most famous football players, wishes the Swedish National Lacrosse team good luck at the World Championships in England 2010.

Freddie was presented with a Team Sweden Lacrosse T-shirt by Sten Jernudd, (also a mid-fielder) at Qwest Field in Seattle, home of the Seattle Sounders.

2010-06-08

Sweden wins over Finland 8-6

What a great day for Lacrosse! The sun shone, and over 200 fans visited Kärrtorps IP to see the Swedish national team meet Finland in a warm-up scrimmage before this summer's World Championships in Manchester.

Sweden and Finland has a long sporting tradition of hard fought and well played games regardless of sport and Lacrosse is no exception. The two teams last playes in the quarter finals of the Championships in Lahti in 2008 when Sweden turned a 3-6 deficit with only five minutes left to play. Match winner that time was Peter Welff who scord the game winning 7-6 goal with just 10 seconds left in regulation. Finland came, to say the least, to Kärrtorp hungry for revenge. The game as it turned out was as usual an exciting and even game that was determined at the absolute end.

Sweden opened strong with a lot of ball possession and Johnny Axelsson (No. 15) scorde Swedens first seven minutes in to the match.

However, Finland took the initiative and responded with five straight goals. Sweden struggled to find positions, which the Finns utilized by scoring on almost every opportunity. However, Karl Svanström (No. 12) put an end to Finlands run with Sweden's second goal just before halftime.

Assistant coach Tobias Kindblom instructs the defense in halftime.

A completely different team came out after half-time and through a focused team effort the Swedish national team fouhgt themselves back in the match. Finland did not give up easily and it became a battle for every ball. The game was still being largely free from penalties and the audience got to see Lacrosse at its best, fast-paced and physical, without interruption and a lot of scoring opportunities on both sides.

Patrik Nordensky (nr13) wins the ball after the face-off.

With five minutes left the game Sweden equlized to 6-6 by a crisp shot from the outside by Jimmy Blomgren, one of Swedens national team rookies. Sweden then took the incentive and pulled away by scoring two additional goals during the last four minutes.

Jimmy Blomgren scores his first goal in in the blue and yellow uniform.

The match gave the team the neceserry warm up, but clearly showed that even if this was the first match of the season there is plenty to build from. The national team yet again showed evidence of a solid team moral. The next match will be played against the Swedish All Stars in early July.

2010-05-15

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden Wishes Swedish National Lacrosse Team Well in World Games

Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, wishes the Swedish Men’s National Lacrosse Team good luck in the 2010 World Lacrosse Championships.

During a visit to Seattle for “Sweden Week”, an event organized by the Swedish Consulate to showcase the strong ties between the Pacific Northwest and Sweden, the Crown Princess met Sten Jernudd and Kevin Powers, two Seattle-area Team Sweden lacrosse players. The Crown Princess shared that she was familiar with lacrosse, having studied at Yale University. The two players thanked her for her support, extended an invitation to the game(s) and presented a small gift on behalf of the team, including Team Sweden shirts.

The Swedish Ambassador to the United States, Jonas Hafström, and the Honorary Consul to the State of Washington, Lars Jonsson, also extended their best wishes for the team’s success on the field and are delighted that the ties between the Pacific Northwest and Sweden carry over to so many sports, including lacrosse.

2010-05-10

Buy your Swedish Lacrosse T-shirts here!

Buy a T-shirt and support Team Sweden! Follow the link and purchase online.

The Swedish Lacrosse store

Thanks for your support!

2010-04-29

Sweden vs Finland

On the 15:th of May the Swedish national team will meet Finland in a friendly scrimmage to prepare for the upcoming World Cup in Manchester. This is the first time Sweden and Finland will meet since the dramatic European Championship quarter-final in Lahti 2008 when Sweden won despite a 3-6 disadvantage with only 5 minutes left in the game. Defender Peter Welff scored the game winner with just 10 seconds left in regulation to finalize the score 7-6.

Don't miss this opportunity to see Nordic Lacrosse at its best! The game starts at 12:30 and is played on Kärrtorps IP, Stockholm.

2010-04-28

Team Sweden adds West Coast talent

West Coast Lacrosse talents Sten Jernudd and Kevin Powers will be representing Team Sweden in the upcoming World Cup. Team Sweden adds local talent

2010-01-25

Sweden announces 2010 roster

The try out for the Swedish National Lacrosse team was held during the last weekend in October. Twenty nine players has been selected for the training roster that will continue to practise together until April when the finalised team of 23 players will be picked. Read more here: Sweden announces 2010 roster

2009-12-01