The 2025/26 Champions Hockey League Final saw a heated duel between two hungry SHL teams in Gothenburg's Scandinavium, ending in a spectacular home victory for Frölunda Gothenburg, who lifted the European Trophy for a record fifth time.
For Max Friberg, who has now won the CHL for a third time, CHL Final 2026 was the first time he guided his club out as team captain. How was that feeling?
"Tonight was really something extra, the atmosphere was unreal!"Max Friberg, Frölunda Gothenburg
"It was amazing," he stared, going on to describe the atmosphere of the Final: "The atmosphere was unreal, I need to take it all in. We're always used to a great crowd in the Scandinavium, but tonight was really something extra."
After a goalless first period, it was Frölunda who broke the deadlock when Nicklas Lasu scored a short-handed breakaway goal. Luleå equalised at the beginning of the third period, but the home team soon regained their lead and held on to it right down to the final seconds of regulation, that's when Luleå struck again to equalise, forcing overtime for only the second time ever in CHL Final history.
Jere Innala became the game-winning hero, scoring the final goal of the 2025/26 CHL season under five minutes into the extra session, but all in all, it was one tough game for Frölunda.
"It's a great feeling having put on the performance we did," said Friberg about the game, "I'm really proud of my team, of how we competed physically and mentally to keep focus for overtime despite the equaliser so late."
The 33-year-old also ended 2025/26 as the CHL's LGT MVP, earning important votes from fans and an expert jury. Does that add to the excitement of winning the Final?
"I'm more of a team-first kinda of guy," said the Swedish forward modestly, "but it's a great bonus, for sure, and a huge honour."
Head to our videos section to watch all our CHL Final 2026 interviews!