Sweden wrap up university floorball titles

Sweden lived up to their status as floorball powerhouses yesterday, sweeping both the men's and women's titles in the World University Floorball Championships (WUFC).

In front of a crowd of 2,438 at the OCBC Arena, the Swedish men outclassed Switzerland 6-2 in dominant fashion.

Swiss captain Emanuel Antener said: "We were a little nervous and didn't play our best in a high-level game. I am really disappointed as we had a chance."

But Sweden's women's team were made to sweat for their fourth consecutive WUFC title, defeating Finland 2-0 on penalties after being held to a 7-7 draw in regulation time and failing to score in sudden death.

The Swedes had stormed to a 3-0 lead just over six minutes into the match, but the Finns managed to stage a spirited comeback.

In the penalty shoot-out, Swedish goalkeeper Linnea Lexe saved two penalties. Finland missed the other two, while Sweden converted two out of the three they took.

Lexe said: "I didn't play a good game and my team were counting on me in the shoot-out, so I was determined to do it."

Earlier yesterday, Singapore's women lost 0-7 in the bronze play-off against Switzerland to finish fourth out of six teams. Finland's men edged out Czech Republic 7-6 to take third spot.

While the Republic did not record any medal glory, the nation still earned a feather in the cap. International Floorball Federation secretary-general John Liljelund revealed that the total crowd attendance of 15,297 over the past five days was a new WUFC record.

The previous record was 6,172, set in Sweden in the 2010 edition.

This article was first published on JUNE 23, 2014.
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