Nynäshamns IBK to the final after penalty drama: "It feels super great"

Nynäshamns IBK came back three times to take the G15 semifinal against Frederikshavn Blackhawks to penalties. And Melissa Thunman and Agnes Hammarwall Axner played key roles for the Swedish team.

The Danish team Frederikshavn Blackhawks had a grip on the semifinal in the G15 category in Kviberg Arena for a long time. But Nynäshamns IBK never gave up and came back time and time. After a dramatic penalty shootout, Nynäshamns IBK finally stood there as winners and finalists.
– It feels super great. The decisive penalty save also felt very good, says one of the heroes, the goalkeeper Agnes Hammarwall Axner.

After the first half, Frederikshavn Blackhawks led 2–1. Then Nynäshamns IBK equalized. Frederikshavn Blackhawks would take the lead twice more during the second half, but Nynäshamns IBK never gave up. After full time, the score was 4–4. Even in the penalty shootout, Frederikshavn Blackhawks gained an advantage, but Nynäshamns IBK was the coolest team and decided the game. Melissa Thunman scored Nynäshamns IBK's last penalty – with a so-called Zorro penalty. And then goalkeeper Agnes Hammarwall Axner saved Frederikshavn Blackhawks' last penalty. Celebrations erupted afterwards – when the final spot was secured.

Melissa Thunman was all smiles afterwards.
– It felt really good to score my penalty. I've tried that penalty before. It was nice that I scored it now. I often practice Zorro penalties. It feels incredibly fun and nice to be in the final. It was a bit nerve-wracking in the end. I think we'll do well in the final as well, says Melissa Thunman.
She's happy with their performance so far.
– The tournament has been very exciting. We've had tough matches and had fun. The tournament is big so it feels really good to be in the final. I like Gothia Cup Innebandy.
How are you going to recharge until tomororw?
– Now we're going to sleep and eat well and just chat together, she says.

Agnes Hammarwall Axner was at least as happy as her teammate.
– It feels super great. The decisive penalty save also felt very good, says the goalkeeper.
She sums up the team's performance as follows:
– We played well and fought until the end. It felt good to come back from disadvantages. It was nerve-wracking when we got into the second half and then also when it went to penalties. But it eased after a while, says Agnes Hammarwall Axner.
How did it feel to play a key role in the end?
– It felt so good. It means that training pays off. It's really big to be in the final. It's our first year here, so it's really fun to get this far. I think that the tournament is great!

She was tired but happy after the drama.
– Now we're going home to sleep. We're going to rest and get new energi for the final tomorrow, she says.
Agnes Hammarwall Axner has big ambitions for the future.
– My dream with floorball is to play for the national team, she says.
But first, the G15 final in Gothia Cup Innebandy awaits – at 2:45 PM in Prioritet Serneke Arena A tomorrow.