The Swedish men's cross-country skiing team's performance at the Milan-Cortina Olympics has been described as a 'historical fiasco' by local media, particularly Expressen. This marks a significant low in the 102-year history of the Olympic Games for Sweden, as they failed to secure a top-five finish in any of the events. The final blow came during the men's 50-kilometer race, where Gustaf Berglund achieved the highest placement at ninth, far below expectations that required a minimum fifth place to avoid setting a negative Olympic record.

Historically, Sweden has never exited the Winter Olympics without achieving at least a sixth place since the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924. The previous closest disappointment was in Lillehammer in 1994, where they managed two sixth-place finishes. The current situation reflects not just a single event but a troubling trend for Swedish men's skiers, as this marks their third consecutive Olympics without a significant medal performance, raising concerns about the future of the sport in the country.

This situation has sparked debates among fans and sports analysts about the potential causes for the team's failure, ranging from inadequate training programs to increased competition from other nations. As the Swedish team reflects on their performance, changes may be necessary to rebuild their reputation and success in future international competitions, particularly as they prepare for future Olympic events.