[ad_1]
Edsbyn were proclaimed champions of Sweden in March after a 5-1 win over Villa Lidköping in the final.
On Friday night, it was time for a replay when the elite series started again. Villa came to the start without the heavy plays Jesper Eriksson (will have son number two) and Johan Löfstedt (broken kneecap).
The first half was a tame story.
– He felt like a gender representative. We feel for ourselves and Edsbyn knows we can be nasty when we get into it, says Johan Sixtensson.
Edsbyn led 1-0 at halftime, but team captain Martin Karlsson tied shortly after.
Edsbyn took the lead again through Jesper Öhrlund (new from IFK Vänersborg) and then had a chance from the penalty spot, but goalkeeper Jesper Thimfors snatched the shot from Oskar Wikblad.
– It was nice, because the punishment was totally wrongly calculated. It was an incredibly nice break from Martin Johansson, but now, thankfully, it went well anyway, says Sixtensson.
Sixtensson: a fantastic team
Edsbyn then ran away and, with five minutes left in regulation time, it was 4-2 for the home team. But new acquisition Christoffer Edlund was scaled down and in the 89th minute team captain Martin Karlsson again stepped up. Two quick goals that were a point in the prestigious match.
– Fun to put two balls today, I usually play until the goal. Especially in the last one it was nice to walk in to make the bus ride home a little easier, says Karlsson.
Sixtensson is quite happy with the premiere.
– Everything is fine. A close match and a fair result at the end too. And in others it was a good game of bandy, open and happy, says Johan Sixtensson.
How do you see the construction of the squad this season?
– I’m very happy, a fantastic squad. It’s a privilege to go to the arena and hang out with this gang every day.
What are your goals?
– We know how good we can be and it is clear that we want to play the final again and win the gold as we did in 2019.
Edlund and Säfström on the plus account
Villa has lost big names like Joakim Andersson (Vetlanda) and Johan Esplund (AIK). The plus account mainly includes the former profiles of Sandviken, Christoffer Edlund and Erik Säfström.
– Definitely two good replacements. Edlund gives us an extra dimension with his shot. We are at least as good as last year, says Martin Karlsson.
