Edberg the Hockey Goalie
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STOCKHOLM, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Stefan Edberg has clinched another 8-6
victory -- this time in icehockey.
But the retired tennis legend was on thin ice, being described as the
worst player in an exhibition game between tennis stars and hockey
veterans.
In fact, tabloid Expressen compared the elegant tennis player's
movements on the ice with the acting of British comedian Rowan Atkinson
as ``Mr Bean''.
``I haven't skated since school,'' 30-year-old Edberg conceded.
``I've quit playing tennis, but I would like to do more of this,'' he
added after the game.
Media reports said Edberg used the stick, not to handle the puck
but to remain standing on the ice. Most pictures showed him lying down.
World No. 9-ranked Thomas Enqvist, who's taken over as Sweden's
leading tennis player, was clearly the best ice hockey player too with
three goals and three assists in the match.
Enqvist, 22, had a good partnership with his tennis coach, former
top-ten player Joakim Nystrom, who had two goals and one assist.
Tennis players Mikael Tillstrom and Magnus Norman also showed
some skill on the ice as did their coaches, former tennis pros Peter
Lundgren and Hans Simonsson.
Edberg and the last player to beat him on the tour, Nicklas
Kulti, probably did the right thing when they opted for tennis in their
youth.