SSL Final
I had played floorball myself for five years until I stopped in 2021. After that, the sport was hardly an issue for me anymore. But in Umeå, a city where floorball is almost more important than football, I rediscovered my fascination with it.
Shortly afterwards, I was allowed to stand on the sidelines with another photographer during a match, just to try it out.
A few weeks later, at the beginning of January 2025, I stood on the sidelines with my camera for Thorengruppen IBK for the first time.
From then on, I accompanied the team regularly – game after game in Umeå, every home game, every emotion, every tension before the face-off, every cheer after a goal.
I got to know the players and saw how they gave their all to reach the final again.
02
At the end of April 2025, I had the opportunity to photograph the final of the Swedish Super League (SSL) for Team Thorengruppen IBK, the most important floorball match in the world, second only to the World Cup.
It was a moment that felt like the culmination of a journey that had begun months earlier in Umeå.
In mid-November 2024, a friend took me to a floorball match. I had only photographed one match in my life before, but that evening my old passion returned.
For four months, I was right there with them – with my camera, my eyes and my heart for this sport.
When the team actually made it to the SM final again, it felt like a logical consequence and at the same time like a dream.
I packed my equipment, got on the train and travelled the 550 kilometres from Umeå to Stockholm, to the Avicii Arena.
On 26 April 2025, the big day arrived: Umeå versus Gothenburg, Thorengruppen IBK versus Pixbo IBK.
12,000 fans, a light show, music, excitement – I stood in the middle of this atmosphere, camera at the ready, my heart beating in time with the game.
It was an intense game, full of emotion and twists and turns. It got particularly close in the last third when Pixbo caught up.
But Thorengruppen kept their nerve and won 7-5.
When the siren sounded, sticks, helmets and tears flew through the air.
Fifth title in a row – a record for both the women's and men's teams.
What was the highlight of the season for the team was confirmation for me that hard work, passion and focus can take you a long way.
That day in Stockholm was more than just a job – it was the moment when sport became history – between emotion, movement and authenticity.