SWEDISH STAR LINDGREN’S UNFINISHED BUSINESS AS HE LEADS FIM SON FINAL CHARGE

Swedish skipper Fredrik Lindgren says he has “unfinished business” after inspiring his country into the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations Final with victory at Semi-Final One in Torun on Tuesday.

The Swedes powered to a huge 7-2 over likely podium rivals Great Britain in their opening race, before going on to win the Semi-Final on 40 points, with the Brits also progressing to the Final in second spot on 37.

The third qualification place was claimed by Latvia after they won the Final Qualifier 7-2 against Germany to reach their third FIM SON Final in just four years – an incredible run for an emerging speedway nation that only appeared in their first FIM Speedway world team final just four years ago in 2021.

Sweden stormed into Saturday’s FIM SON Final, where they will also face hosts Poland and the top three countries from Semi-Final Two on Wednesday, with Speedway GP ace Lindgren starring on 18 points, while Jacob Thorssell collected 14 and team debutant Timo Lahti added eight points. 

The team’s hopes of success were massively lifted when world number four Lindgren reversed his pre-season decision to sit out this year’s FIM SON. 

Asked why he made himself available for selection, he said: “I still felt I had energy – even at the end of the season. 

“I felt like I still had some unfinished business, and I wanted to keep going really. I feel motivated, my health is good, and I am ready to go.”

Reflecting on a fine win, he added: “We are really pleased. The goal was to take a top-two spot to avoid the Final Qualifier heat and we came out with a really strong start. That first heat settled the nerves a little bit for the whole team. We executed really well.” 

Swedish team manager Linus Sundstrom was delighted to see his side hit the ground racing in his first FIM SON event as national boss.

He said: “We were aiming for the top two spots. We talked before the meeting about how it was important to get off to a good start. We came out with maximum points from our first race.

“I am really pleased with the performance on the track from the boys. I am really, really proud of the work they did on the track and the same in the pits. We had a fantastic team spirit. 

“We can go up another step on Saturday. The Final is always a tough one and it’s a different kind of racing compared to the Semi-Final. But we all know what it takes. We need to go up a few levels there, and of course we are aiming to fight for the medals.” 

World number three Dan Bewley led Great Britain’s score chart on 22 points, with skipper Robert Lambert adding 15. 

After conceding a 7-2 to Sweden, Bewley knew the Lions had to deliver a faultless final five rides, and they racked up five 7-2 maximums to make the Final in second place.

The three-time FIM British Speedway GP winner said: “It was a good night really. The first race wasn’t ideal. Sweden is a good team, and when you throw some points away like that, we knew we were definitely fighting for second.

“That was probably the toughest race, and after that, we knew we couldn’t make any more mistakes. We had to be pretty solid from that point onward. 

“It was a tough meeting, and the points were so close. It was only the Semi-Final, but we got some experience and learned a few things.” 

Joint GB team manager Oliver Allen was pleased with how his side recovered from an early setback. He said: “Both boys knew immediately that they were slightly off on their setup. After that, they made changes, were a lot quicker and gated a bit better.

“It wasn’t ideal to start that way, but what’s really impressive and important is that they remained calm, kept their composure and did what they had to do. They went unbeaten after that. I couldn’t have asked any more from them really.

“We know it’s going to be tough in the Final. It’s another level higher. That’s probably better for us. The boys rode really well as a team. That’s important. I feel good about Saturday.” 

Latvian skipper Andzejs Lebedevs raced to 20 of Latvia’s 28 points in the heats, with Daniils Kolodinskis adding eight and Jevgenijs Kostigovs collecting two.

Lebedevs and Kolodinskis then teamed up to beat German duo Norick Blodorn and Kai Huckenbeck 7-2 in the Final Qualifier to continue Latvia’s dream run of three Final appearances in four FIM SONs.

“For a small federation and country, it is huge,” Lebedevs said. “We are happy; we are in the top seven already. For us, it means a lot. Hopefully the federation will also see this and support speedway in our country more.

“The goal before the meeting was to fight with Germany for third place. We did the job, and we are very happy.

“Saturday will be harder and with the bigger teams. We will go there to enjoy it, show some good races and hopefully we can produce some surprises. We are underdogs but you never know in speedway. Hopefully we can find some good setups and also be fast there.”

Latvian team manager Vladimirs Vagels added: “I feel good. We were aiming for the top three, so this is a good result. We did a good job, found the setup and got third place. This is great for our small speedway country.” 

There is more good news for Sweden and Great Britain as Final qualification means they are guaranteed at least a Semi-Final spot for the 2026 FIM Speedway World Cup. Latvia and Germany were already guaranteed places as the two nations will host the Semi-Finals.

The top four teams in Wednesday’s FIM SON Semi-Final Two, featuring Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France and Ukraine also earn at least FIM SWC Semi-Final spots for 2026, with the FIM SON world champions advancing straight to the FIM SWC Final at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy, where they will be joined by hosts Poland. If the Poles win the FIM SON, Saturday’s runners-up will qualify for the FIM SWC Final. 

Tickets for Wednesday’s FIM SON Semi-Final, plus SON2 on Friday and the FIM SON Final this Saturday are still available online. Secure your spot at Torun’s Marian Rose Motoarena HERE now.  

FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS SEMI-FINAL 1 SCORES:

1. SWEDEN 40: 1. Jacob Thorssell 14, 2. Fredrik Lindgren 18, 3. Timo Lahti 8.

2. GREAT BRITAIN 37: 1. Robert Lambert 15, 2. Dan Bewley 22, 3. Tom Brennan DNR.

3. LATVIA 30: 1. Andzejs Lebedevs 20, 2. Jevgenijs Kostigovs 2, 3. Daniils Kolodinskis 8.

4. GERMANY 26: 1. Norick Blodorn 9, 2. Kai Huckenbeck 17, 3. Valentin Grobauer DNR.

5. NORWAY 26: 1. Mathias Pollestad 19, 2. Glenn Moi DNR, 3. Lasse Fredriksen 7.

6. SLOVENIA 16: 1. Matic Ivacic 5, 2. Anze Grmek 11, 3. Luka Omerzel DNR.

7. ITALY 14: 1. Nicolas Covatti 12, 2. Nicolas Vicentin 2, 3. Nicolo Percotti 0.