Söderhamn took their fifth straight victory in the Ping-liga when they defeated Spårvägen at home in the derby.
Söderhamn chose in the return match to give the chance to Adam Grawsiö Wallin and Khai Lam in addition to Viktor Brodd and Anders Eriksson. This when Jens Lundquist and Jon Persson were on other ping-pong assignments. The guests Spårvägen’s BTK played Masaki Kayama, Harald Andersson, Sebastian Loso and Charlie Carlsson.
The first match was played between Viktor Brodd and Harald Andersson. Two players who in recent years shared a lot of the winnings. This evening Brodd proved to be the strongest when he stood up well in the forehand, while the attacks in the forehand spoke for themselves. The final score was 3-0.
On the next table, fast Khai Lam played against Sebastian Loso. An interesting encounter where Lam played a lot on explosiveness while Loso looked for screw and variety. The match was decided in a raucous tiebreaker where Loso went from a 5-8 deficit to a 10-8 lead. Then Lam turned the tables and pulled in a forehand straight to win 12-10.
The score was here 2-0 to Söderhamn, and the best possible start for the home team was a fact.
Next up was the match between Anders Eriksson and Masaki Kayama. Eriksson drew the longest straw through a very stable defense where he often forced Kayama into mistakes, and used his backhand pressure in a way-winning way.
The tram would make sure to get a little contact in the team match before the break. Charlie Carlsson’s number was too big for Adam Grawsiö Wallin, who is still chasing his first victory in the Table Tennis League. The final score was 3-1 in the set for Carlsson.
After the break, Söderhamn, like many times before, upped the tempo. Viktor Brodd made sure to get revenge against Makasi Kayama from last week when he went down 0-3 in the set. This time the numbers were reversed, where Brodd had to take his second victory of the evening.
On the next table, Anders Eriksson closed the deal for his Söderhamn. This when he defeated Harald Andersson in three straight sets after a performance that can be described as a statement of strength.
This means a fifth straight victory for Söderhamn, and that they are still chasing Eslöv in first place.
– A well executed match and a stable win. It feels great to have such a good end to 2025, says team leader Mattias Ekdahl.
During the evening, both Khai Lam and Adam Grawsiö Wallin got the chance from the start. Söderhamn is clear that everyone should be given a chance.
– We have a wide squad and want to use all players. I am very satisfied that we have done that during the autumn. We knew in advance that Jon and Jens would not play all the matches. It is very strong to win from Anders (Eriksson) and Viktor (Brodd) today, which shows that they are top players.
How do you summarize the autumn season for you?
– We knew before the season that several teams sharpened their squads and that many go to get high in the table. I am very satisfied with where we are now, and precisely the trend of many wins, says Ekdahl.
Adam Grawsiö Wallin, who has had time to make his debut in the Table Tennis League and also played a lot of matches during the autumn, looks positively at the chance he has been given.
– It’s super fun to get the chance to play in the top league, it’s good experience for the future, says Grawsiö Wallin.
How do you see your matches so far?
– It started very tough, but I think I did well in the last two games considering how I have felt recently. It’s great that I get to play, and get the chance for the future, concludes Grawsiö Wallin.
The tram is still chasing its first victory, in the derby return they did not reach the desired level.
– Söderhamn is clearly the better team tonight, unfortunately. It’s a shame that we don’t get Loso’s match against Khai as he does some good stuff and recovers from a 5-8 deficit to 10-8.
Team leader Malte Rosén continues:
– We didn’t have enough energy and we can demand more from ourselves. As I said before, there are small margins, but it is just to accept that Söderhamn was better. Just recharge and focus on the match against Kosta at home on the 13th (January).
Spårvägen has six points up on league rival Falkenberg. This after an autumn season that was, to say the least, tough for the Stockholm club.
– It has been hard, we haven’t won yet. It takes confidence, but I think we played good games so there is something to build on.
Is it difficult to look ahead with the results that have been?
– It is more difficult than if we had won a few games, absolutely. At the same time, we have the opportunity to turn this around and do something very strong. It’s up to us, so it’s about finding the energy and coming back stronger during the spring season, concludes Rosén.
With a wide squad and several players who take the chance when the opportunity is given, Söderhamn looks set to have an exciting spring. For Spårvägen, it is now important to gather new energy and reverse the tough trend when the series starts again after the Christmas break.
Full results from the match:
Viktor Brodd – Harald Andersson 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-5)
Khai Lam – Sebastian Loso 3-2 (11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 12-10)
Anders Eriksson – Masaki Kayama 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-9)
Adam Grawsiö Wallin – Charlie Carlsson 1-3 (13-15, 5-11, 11-5, 8-11)
Viktor Brodd – Makasi Kayama 3-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-5)
Anders Eriksson – Harald Andersson 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-9)
Other results in round 8:
16/12, 18:30: Falkenbergs BTK – Eslövs AI BTK 3-5 Webcast
16/12, 18:30: Kosta SK – Eskilstuna by STIGA 5-0 Webcast
17/12, 18:30: Eslövs AI BTK – Falkenbergs BTK 5-3 Webcast (lagging match in round 7)
18/12, 18:30: Halmstad BTK – BTK Record 5-1 Webcast
You can find all the results and game schedule from the Pingi League By STIGA here.
Bild: Anders Eriksson accounted for two wins during the evening Photo: Linda Carlsson
