PLEASANTON, Calif. — Jens Lundqvist could only sigh and look toward the ground before leaving the table. The Paddlers star had just dropped two crucial Singles Four sets to Florida Crocs captain Daniel Gorak that would’ve locked in Portland’s first win of the 2025-26 Major League Table Tennis Season. 

But Lundqvist had no time to dwell on his lost opportunity. Coach Christian Lillieroos sent the second-year veteran right back out for MLTT’s pressure-packed signature finale, the Golden Game. His opponent? Gorak. 

“Jens lost to Gorak, and then he went in directly afterwards to play Gorak,” Lillieroos told Table Tennis TV’s Luke Scotchie. “He was very upset (about the loss)... So many times (an easy victory) can be spoiled.”

Not on Lundqvist’s watch. He opened the Golden Game with two quick points against Gorak, giving his Paddlers teammates an 8-0 in their bid to win the match’s final six points in a race to 21. 

“6-0, 7-0, 8-0,” Lilleroos told Scotchie, “That (three-point start) was everything.”

Lundqvist wasn’t finished, though. He returned to the table against Gorak with the Golden Game score at 18-6 in Portland’s favor. His mission: Finish the opponent he couldn’t close out in Singles Four. 

His first two points for the Paddlers came quickly. Then, at match point, Gorak fought back with a corner forehand just out of his reach to the table’s opposite corner. 

At second game point, Lundqvist stepped to the table and fired a quick serve. His spin buckled Gorak just enough to force an off table return that clinched Portland’s first win – and sparked Lundqvist’s jubilant fist pump.

It was a well-earned celebration, according to Lillieroos. Portland has missed both of MLTT’s postseasons since 2023, but Lundqvist’s grit could be a determining factor in ending that drought. 

“To be able to turn around (Lundqvist’s Singles 4 result) against the same player that he lost to, and almost have a perfect Golden Game,” Lillieroos told Scotchie, “That is experience, and that’s mental strength to no end.”

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