Like all big games, there's for sure a lot of pressure when it comes to playing in a final. But this is why we, and certainly I, play the game. When I started to play hockey, the big motivation for me was, and still is, to play in big games and win titles. There are some players who go their entire careers without playing in a final, or lifting a trophy. It's something I feel very lucky to have had the experience of, and have the chance to do again in the Champions Hockey League Final.
When you think about what you're playing for, what the prize on the line is, it can maybe make you a little nervous. It's not a bad thing to be a bit nervous, but you should also be excited and ready more than anything else. You know it's a final, and as Frölunda we know just how hard it is to get there. Last season was a big disappointment for us to go out of this competition so early in the Round of 16, but at the same time this is the Champions Hockey League - it's a tough, tough competition to be involved in, and you're not going to make the final every year when there are so many other good teams in it. To then have the bonus of reaching a final and playing the game on your home ice, in front of a large, loud, sold-out crowd, is undoubtedly fantastic.
We know that Munich will be very tough opponents. But it's the Champions Hockey League Final - that they are also in it tells us all we need to know about the quality of team we're going to be facing. We will need our best game to win it, there's certainly no doubt about that.
Joel Lundqvist
(Frölunda Indians Captain)
We know how hard the Champions Hockey League is. In the last few years we were pretty good but just couldn't get past the first playoff round. We learnt however some valuable lessons about just how small the margins for error in these types of games are, and this season we managed to push further than ever before.
The CHL Final is a new experience for us. We know that Frölunda are playing their fourth, and maybe that is a bit of an advantage for them. But we've played in enough finals and series deciders elsewhere to know how to play, and win, them. It's never a problem for players to get motivated for these huge games, everyone will be excited but you have to remember to just go out and play hockey.
This is my last season in professional hockey. When you know your career is coming to an end it does make it a little easier to appreciate what you have, and how lucky you are. But I haven't lost that will to win - in fact, I've probably only become hungrier! I will do everything to finish my career as successful as possible with this team.
We are all very aware of what we've achieved this season for our club and German hockey, but this isn't enough. No-one from our team is going to Gothenburg satisfied with being the first German team to make the final. We know how good Frölunda are, and we don't mind if people think we're the 'under dogs'; but we're going there to win, and we believe we have a talented enough team to lift that trophy.
Michael Wolf
Red Bull Munich Captain