HAPARANDA, Sweden – The national team from Sweden defeated a team of U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers in a dual meet held Thursday prior to the annual Haparanda Cup competition.

The United States scored victories in the two lightest weight classes.

Nate Engel (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) defeated Emil Sundbert, 1-0, 2-1 at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Two-time U.S. World Team member Joe Betterman (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) added a victory at 60 kg/132 lbs., stopping Niklas Ammemo, 1-0, 1-0.

2012 Olympic bronze medalist Johan Euren of Sweden won two matches for the Swedish team at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., beating U.S. wrestlers Eric Nye (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) and Robbie Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC).

A large team of American wrestlers will participate in the Haparanda Cup, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday in Haparanda. Athletes from a number of clubs will compete, as well as a large group from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete program, and some athletes from the USOEC program at Northern Michigan.

SWEDEN 8, UNITED STATES 2
At Haparanda, Sweden, November 15
55 kg/121 lbs. – Nate Engel (USA) dec. Emil Sundberg (Sweden), 1-0, 2-1
60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman (USA) dec. Niklas Ammemo (Sweden), 1-0, 1-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Sharur Vardanyan (Sweden) dec. Ben Sanchez (USA), 2-0, 1-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Vahab Danesvar (Sweden) dec. Thrasher Porcher (USA), 3-0, 1-0
74 kg/163 lbs. – Robert Rosengren (Sweden) dec. Jon Anderson (USA), 1-0, 1-0
74 kg/163 lbs. – Alexander Jersgren (Sweden) dec. Geordan Speiller (USA), 4-0, 1-0
84 kg/185 lbs. – Kristofer Johansson (Sweden) dec. Andy Bisek (USA), 3-1, 5-0
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Fredrick Schon (Sweden) dec. Ethan Dondlinger (USA), 3-0, 1-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Johan Euren (Sweden) dec. Erik Nye (USA), 2-0, 1-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Johan Euren (Sweden) dec. Robbie Smith (USA), 1-0, 1-0

HAPARANDA CUP
At Haparanda, Sweden, November 17-18

U.S. Greco-Roman participants
55 kg/121 lbs. - Spenser Mango, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nate Engel, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Betterman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
66 kg/145.5 lbs.- Ben Sanchez, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Thrasher Porcher, Chuluota, Fla. (USOEC)
74 kg/163 lbs. -  Justin Lester, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Jon Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Andy Bisek, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Minnesota Storm)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Geordan Speiller, Oviedo, Fla. (Florida Jets)
84 kg/185 lbs. -  Zac Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Ethan Dondlinger, Slinger, Wis. (USOEC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. -  Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Erik Nye, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) 
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Robbie Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Coach – Assistant National Coach, Momir Petkovic, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coach – Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Coach – Bruce Robinson, Shon Lewis, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
Referee - Bill Harper, Drexel, Mo.