The Tre Kronor boss stressed that a team needs to play to the max and have luck on their side to cope with the favorites, but the scheme of the Olympic tournament makes any surprises possible.

“One play-off game is enough to decide the team’s fate on such a big tournament. Russia and Canada will be under constant pressure, especially the host, because nothing short of gold is expected of them. So we and Finland will be in the shadow, but I am fully satisfied with the situation,” Tre Kronor boss explained.

The Russian team, who won two World Championships in a row, doesn’t remind Gustafsson of the “Red Machine” that crushed their opponents in Soviet times.

“The recent results might be similar, but the play is different. Back then the players were just elements in the Machine, just small screws. [Russia’s coach] Bykov changed the approach and came up with a model that allows each player to show his best qualities. Nobody puts players under pressure; they are relaxed and their personalities are respected,” he explained.

Gustafsson was assigned Sweden’s coach in 2005 and he led the team to triumph at the Turin Olympics a year later, beating Finland 3-2 in the finals. His team also won gold at the Hockey World Championships the same year.