– Ulf (Lundberg, the national team captain) had called, but I had training so I called him afterwards. Then he didn’t answer. Then he called himself in the evening and told me that I would be included in the Olympic squad. I couldn’t believe it, it was completely insane, says Ebba Svensson Träff and smiles.
Did he say anything else?
– I don’t remember much to be completely honest, says Ebba and laughs.
Did you know you were going to be selected?
– No, absolutely not. I had built up no expectations at all. I just have tried to do my best here in Linköping and then see how far it would go.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper has represented Sweden both on the junior and senior side. The last time was in December 2025 when she played the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour with Tre Kronor Dam. In total, there have been five A international matches so far.
– It is absolutely huge to be able to put on the national team jersey and stand there and sing the national anthem. I get chills every time.
How would you describe yourself as a goalkeeper?
– I don’t know… I think I’m a fairly calm goalkeeper who doesn’t stress me out unnecessarily. I just try to work hard every day and keep improving.
Women’s Olympic hockey follows the same model as the WC: two groups where Group A is seeded and the teams are directly qualified for the quarter-finals. The women’s crowns end up in the unseeded Group B together with Germany, Japan, France and Italy.
The women’s crowns begin their Olympic adventure against Germany on February 5 – which will also be the very first hockey match during the entire 2026 Olympics.
– We are going for a medal, of course. First of all, we aim to win the group. Then anything can happen in a playoff, but we are definitely going for a medal.
What is the biggest difference between playing in a club team and in the national team?
– It goes a little faster internationally and the players are generally a little more skilled. Otherwise, there is not that great a difference, concludes Ebba Svensson Träff.
Linköping Hockey Club would like to send a big congratulations to Ebba.
