Truls Möregårdh to Miss 2025 Team European Table Tennis Championships Due to Knee Injury

Swedish table tennis star Truls Möregårdh, ranked sixth in the world and number one in Europe, will miss the 2025 Team European Table Tennis Championships held in Zadar, Croatia, due to a knee injury. Möregårdh, 23, was diagnosed with a strain in the knee that has caused persistent pain, confirmed through an X-ray. This injury affects the same knee on which he has undergone two prior surgeries due to a genetic condition that impairs cartilage production. He revealed, "Unfortunately, the pain in my knee that I have felt for a while turned out to be an overexertion," and emphasized the importance of resting and rehabilitating to safeguard his long-term career.

The Swedish men’s team will compete without their top player, including Anton Källberg, Kristian Karlsson, Mattias Falck, and Elias Ranefur. Despite Möregårdh's absence, he expressed confidence in the team's capabilities, stating, "I am convinced that Anton Källberg can lead the team to gold." Head coach Marcus Sjöberg recognized the significant setback, commenting, "Of course, it's heavy that our best player will not be starting in such an important team competition," but remained hopeful that Sweden could still achieve a strong result.

Sweden is the reigning champion, having won gold in the 2023 European Championships in Malmö. The men's team will face Turkey and the Czech Republic in their group, while the women's team, featuring Linda Bergström, Stina Källberg, Filippa Bergand, and Nomin Baasan, will contend with Austria and Greece. The championship runs from October 12 to 19 and will be broadcast on SVT.

Möregårdh’s withdrawal underscores the challenges Sweden faces without their leading athlete but also spotlights the depth and resilience of the national squad as they aim to defend their title on home-continent soil.