Martin key for Sweden

ByEurosport

Published 20/02/2006 at 14:43 GMT

She was only 15 when she led Sweden to Olympic bronze in 2002. Now, Kim Martin has led Sweden in the biggest upset in her country's history, with 37 saves in the 3-2 shootout win over the United States in the semi-finals. Canada have warned that a lot of

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 USA (W)-Sweden (W) Martin Wendell

Image credit: Reuters

"They have a tremendous goaltender," Canada coach Melody Davidson told Eurosport. "We are going to work their goaltender and be sharp with the puck," she added.

Martin, turns 20 two days after the closing ceremonies of the Games, is warned, but due to her precociousness, most probably unfazed.

ICE HOCKEY 2006 Torino 2006 USA (W)-Sweden (W) Martin

Image credit: Imago

Ice Hockey

Sweden's Martin to play with men

07/03/2006 at 12:37

While starring in Salt Lake City at 15, Martin played both men's and women's junior hockey.

"The key is to make [Martin] move and then try and go upstairs [with the puck]," Canada's captain Cassie Campbell told CBC television.

Even though Canada clobbered Sweden 8-1 in the preliminary round, Martin was not on the ice. Swedish coach Peter Elander had decided to rest her in favour of Cecilia Andersson.

HUNGRY FOR MORE

Stockholm native Martin, who currently works for her club AIK to support her hockey habit, made 40 saves two weeks ago in a 2-0 loss to Canada at a pre-Olympic tournament in Torre Pellice, Italy.

That's the result that Elander has been pointing to - not the 8-1 rout - in preparing for Monday night's final.

"We will talk about the game we played prior to the Olympics where we lost 2-0 and had our chances to score," Elander told Eurosport.

"Kim Martin is a solid goaltender. We've worked in her zone on penalty killing. We will try and do our best and then we see the result afterwards," he added.

Video: Swedish shootout victory

"We will do everything we can to win," Martin told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. "We have not had our fill after the semi-final."

"Beating the United States is not enough."

And is the pressure on Canada?

"You said it and I agree with that," said coach Elander. "So, we are going to have fun. It's not every people in the world who will do an Olympic final. I look forward to [it]."