Lindahl shares one strong opinion on today’s game style: ”Less developed”

For years Jacob Lindahl ruled the world.

Then he moved to the other side of it.

From Australia the 51-year-old legend looks back on a career that was just too easy.

✔ Merits: World champion 1992 in Brno and 1995 in Stockholm.

✔ Results: Won the 1992 final against Mikael Kratz by 4-0 (5-0, 6-2, 2-1s, 3-2) and the 1995 final against Daniel Wallén by 3-1 (4-0, 1-0, 3-4, 2-1).

✔ Profile: The undoubted king of the nineties won seven consecutive Swedish championships and two world titles. The left winger, the smoothness, the ability to score when it mattered the most – Jacob was by far the best player the world had seen. Most likely he would still be a threat if he showed up.

What do you remember the most from your world championship golds?

“Probably that I had my peak in 1993 when I didn’t win, haha! It was sort of too easy. I remember the disappointment of not scoring more centrifuges in the top corner against Wallén in the 1995 final.”

What were the keys to your victories?

“The defence, if anything. I knew exactly how to defend against all top players and since my attack was generally better, it was kind of mathematically impossible to lose. Maybe that’s why I could relax and just win.”

Why didn’t you defend the gold medal at the following world championships?

“I really should have won in 1993. I have never been better. I guess that’s a compliment to Anders Ekestubbe who beat me. An “Ekis” with momentum and some luck was wonderful. He would probably make results today too, 32 years later.”

When was the last time you played table hockey?

“Back home in Umeå at the local league two years ago. In the garage here in Australia I have a Stiga game that haunts me a bit, haha.”

What are your impressions of international table hockey today?

“I don’t have the full insight, but the top 10-15 players seem to have a high level. What’s done, is done properly. Well practiced. Good defence. It’s great if Roni makes a comeback. I have always been impressed by him, the sport lost something when he quit.”

Are there things that were better in the past?

“Sadly enough, the shovels and centrifuges seem less developed nowadays, probably because it’s allowed with a defense that shakes the game. That’s also a possible reason why set pieces and center moves have the best precision today.”

Is there a chance that we will see you in future championships with help from the new rule that all former world champions are directly qualified?

“It’s not impossible.”

What do you do nowadays? And is there another hobby that has replaced or can compete with table hockey in your daily life?

“I live with my wife and our two sons in Brisbane, Australia. Since life is mostly about work and family right now, there is no time to become the world number one in any other sport.”

Who will win the world championships 2025?

“Oscar Henriksson.”