The table tennis men fell behind 0-2 in matches after Kristian Karlsson and Källberg lost the initial doubles and Truls Möregårdh dropped the match against Tomokazu Harimoto.
It didn't look dark, it was pitch black. The semifinal was rapidly heading towards a bitter Swedish end.
Then came the turnaround that ended in a reversal that not only belongs to the rich and successful Swedish table tennis history, but also ranks among the great Swedish Olympic Games moments.
Back against the wall
With their backs against the wall, the trio Karlsson, Möregårdh, and Källberg didn't give up. When everything was at stake, it all depended on Källberg, in the deciding match at 2-2.
He quickly lost the first two sets against Tomokazu Harimoto. Another tough defeat for the 26-year-old who has had problems when it's gotten tough? Not this time. 5-11, 5-11 turned into 11-7, 11-7, and then 11-9 when Harimoto missed.
What do I remember? I cut a forehand and then he misses a backhand. And then I turn around and suddenly Truls lifts me up in the air and I feel like I don't want to use my legs anymore.
That he got to decide meant extra much.
For the national team, I haven't performed particularly well in team competitions. I've lost many important matches. Barely won any, it feels like. When I've gotten the chance, I haven't taken it. So it feels incredibly nice that it didn't go that way today.
"Brought out the magic wand"
The national team captain Jörgen Persson was still shaking slightly when he met the Swedish media after the feat.
His performance is hard to surpass after the first two sets – to then turn it around against Harimoto, who is seeded four, in that way. I don't know what he did, but he brought out a magic wand and started playing.
He continues:
In the last set, we were on him to dare all the time.
Anton Källberg did. The reward for that courage is the chance to win an Olympic Games gold medal against either China or France on Friday.
In the arena, he and the players wildly celebrated, and the audience was on the same wavelength.
I never got to experience an Olympic Games final as a player, but it's fantastic to do it from the bench. Here, I get to experience two Olympic Games finals. I could never dream of that when I came here, says Persson.
