Already after the semi-final against France, Jim Gottfridsson limped through the mixed zone in Cologne. But when the bronze medal match against Germany began, the Swedish middle nine played from the start.
The 31-year-old scored three goals as Sweden won 34-31, winning bronze and securing an Olympic berth.
During the bronze medal match, Gottfridsson took a hit and limped around on the bench. Despite that, he came back into play when the match was to be decided.
– Someone lands on it, so I’m in a lot of pain, I must say. I’ll check it out on Monday, he says.
Gottfridsson could not feel his toes
In fact, Gottfridsson couldn’t even feel his toes in the injured foot.
– They went numb. There is too much pressure on it. It was a bit strange. I barely got the shoe on, but I got the foot and then it’s just a matter of eating some painkillers. It’s a bronze match. Who the hell doesn’t want to win it?, he says.
A bit like Foppa and skates?
– Yes, it’s me and Foppa. I like to be compared to him.
After the match, Jim Gottfridsson was happy about the bronze and a secured Olympic place. But just like with many other players in the national team, the heavy semi-final loss against France still stuck.
– We have never felt that bitterness in this team. All Friday and Saturday. But we talked this morning, you either dig your own grave or make something good out of it. We have one more day together and it is a strength to go in as we do. Our tactics go one hundred percent in the first half, he says.