Beijing, September 15 – Comments from coaches and athletes of Lithuania and Sweden after their semifinal match.

Karolis Levickis (Coach of LTU)

On intended substitution:

“At one point I thought it would be worthwhile substituting No. 5 with No. 3, but the situation changed very fast and I soon realized it wouldn’t.”

Zydrunas Simkus (LTU)

On next opponent (the United States):

“We met the American team at last year’s World Goalball Championships. They have very powerful throwers. But we are not worried because we defeated them last year.”

On participation in Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games:

“I might not be coming back for the Paralympic Games next year.”

Henrik Bergkvist (Coach of SWE)

On the top gun Niklas Hultqvist:

“It’s hard for a coach to say Niklas is the best. I can say he is the player who scores the most for our team. Our team is good at defense, and we train our players to scored.”

On his players’ talking on the court:

“They encourage each other and ask if they were injured. It’s their tactics.”

On the gold medal match:

“I think it will be a tough match. The Chinese team is getting stronger, and the audience here can give them a lot support and raise their morale.”

Jennie Hammarstrom (Team manager of SWE)

On feeling of victory:

“I felt terrific. It was what we had expected, but before we won this game anything was possible. The best player for our team was Jimmy, a tall guy, who did not come with us. Tonight we will have a good rest and eat some Sushi in the hotel.”

Niklas Hultqvist (SWE)

On spare time:

“We don’t have too much spare time, because we practice six days a week. But I still like fishing, football, basketball, ice hockey and many different sports in my spare time.”

On attraction of goalball:

“I like sports very much, and many different sports. But after my eyes became weak, goalball became the game which I could play competitively and equally.”

On preparation for the gold medal match:

“We will get some food of course, and have a rest, relax ourselves, and prepare mentally. We will do our best tomorrow.”

Boris Samuelsson (SWE)

On defense:

“I use a special squatting position during matches, and I am confident. If you want to be a good defender, you have to relax your muscles, think positively, believe in yourself and communicate with other players smoothly.”

NS: cq/cl/sy/gmt/zsb/jp/xy