Sweden Eliminated in Dramatic Quarterfinals of 2025 Table Tennis Team European Championships

Sweden's men's table tennis team has been knocked out of the 2025 Table Tennis Team European Championships in a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to Romania. The clash ended 2–3 against the reigning champions, dashed hopes of defending their 2021 gold medal title in Malmö. The quarterfinal match was a rollercoaster, with the score tied 2–2 going into the deciding game between Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson and Romania’s Eduard Ionescu. Despite an intense battle where Karlsson won the third set 12–10 but narrowly lost the fourth 9–11, Ionescu came back to secure the final set and the victory for Romania. Anton Källberg, who stepped in for the injured Truls Möregårdh, earned a crucial win against Ionescu in another match but could not prevent the defeat. Sweden’s Elias Ranefur also lost his match, increasing the pressure. Earlier in the tournament, Sweden showed strong form by sweeping Turkey 3–0 and the Czech Republic 3–0, then defeating Poland 3–1 in the round of 16, with key contributions from Källberg, Kristian Karlsson, and Mattias Falck. Despite their earlier successes, the loss to Romania marked a significant disappointment. The semifinal matchups will see Germany face France and Romania take on Slovenia, as Sweden’s journey ends prematurely. Kristian Karlsson expressed his deep disappointment, calling the outcome “underkänt” (unsatisfactory). This dramatic exit underscores Sweden’s challenge in sustaining dominance amid escalating competition in European table tennis.