The Jr. Florida Vikings, our U.S. based floorball team, recently traveled to Sweden to participate in the Gothia Cup January 2025 competing in the B17 group. This well-known tournament featured over 600 teams from various countries, offering not only competitive play but also a chance for cultural exchange and camaraderie among the athletes. Florida Vikings FC is the only club in the U.S. that consistently offers trips to Europe to compete in floorball tournaments and camps. This unique opportunity greatly enhances the development and exposure of our U.S. based players on an international level.

Pixbo Camp
Before the tournament started, our team attended a camp with Pixbo, one of Sweden's elite floorball clubs. This camp allowed our players to practice with skilled athletes, providing important insights and strategies that prepared us for the tournament. We played against one of their junior teams to provide us with a good base to build on for the tournament.

The Gothia Cup Experience
Opening Ceremony
The Gothia Cup began with an opening ceremony that highlighted the event's spirit. Our team was represented by our captain, Luke Williamsson, who gave a speech in front of an audience of over 10,000 people standing next to the American flag. This was a proud moment for our team and a significant opportunity to promote floorball in the United States.

The Opening Ceremony concluded with an SSL game between Pixbo and Kalmarsund, which has three players that represented Florida Vikings FC in 2023 and were present at Vikings International Camp 2023; Kevin Haglund, Linus Malmstrom and Albin Hedstal.
Performance in the Tournament
The tournament was a reflection of our team's hard work and dedication. Competing against teams from various countries, our players showcased their skills and teamwork. Despite the challenges, our team remained resilient and demonstrated good sportsmanship throughout. Our head coach Liam Williamsson guided the team to allow them to grow and compete well throughout the tournament.

We progressed through the tournament stages, we had teams come out cheering for us.

As usual Loki is very popular with our international supporters. He always makes energetic appearances to push our team and create new fans.

Eventually we reaching the B playoff quarter-finals. In a closely contested match, we faced a strong opponent and narrowly lost with a score of 4-3. Although the loss was disappointing, it highlighted the high level of competition and the close margins that often decide such matches.

Reflections and Future Aspirations
Our participation in the Gothia Cup was a valuable learning experience. The exposure to international playstyles and the camaraderie with other teams contributed to our growth and development. This experience has motivated us to improve and aim for greater success in future competitions.
We are grateful to Pixbo for their hospitality and training, to the Gothia Cup organizers for a memorable event, and to our supporters who cheered us on. A special thanks to our sponsor, Cheap Energy, whose support made this journey possible. We are committed to building on this experience and continuing to represent the United States with pride in the world of floorball.
We are grateful to our players commitment to the team to travel all the way to Sweden to play and the parents for all their support.
We also appreciate our coaches, Liam Williamsson and Daniel Williamsson, for their guidance and support. Liam Williamsson, in particular, is one of the most decorated players in the U.S., with several national titles and a wealth of coaching experience at a very young age. Their expertise was crucial to our performance and development throughout the tournament. Liam did not only lead the team on the court, but also at the school accommodations throughout the tournament,

In summary, the Jr. Florida Vikings' journey to the Gothia Cup in Sweden was a significant experience filled with achievements, challenges, and memorable moments. It has set the stage for future endeavors and has left a lasting impact on all those involved.
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