Bengt "Bengan" Johansson became popular as the national captain of the Swedish men's national handball team.
Between 1988 and 2004, Sweden won 13 medals.
The team under his leadership went by the name "Bengan Boys".
National team coach Janne Andersson has previously said that "Bengan", who was also his gym teacher in high school, has been the only role model he has had during his years as a coach and meant a lot to Andersson.
- You are surprised in some way.
It feels very sad.
He's one of those people who's always been in my world somehow, because I had him as a teacher.
It is the closest role model I have, the one who has influenced me the most is Bengt absolutely, says Andersson.
What makes him unique?
- His security is his leadership, combined with the fact that he gave the players a lot of freedom to influence things.
I have really noticed that you make sure that there is a well-being and that you feel safe in the group.
Then you perform better, there he was a forerunner.
"Definitely one of the greatest leaders we have had"
2019 was the last time the duo met.
In connection with the sports gala 2019 when Janne Andersson received the award as "Leader of the Year".
- Then we talked for a long, long time.
Over the years at home in Halmstad, I met him three times at the dump of all places.
- He will leave a great legacy, in my world it is difficult to compare and measure but he is definitely one of the greatest leaders we have had.
With the results they did for such a long time, fantastic career and career path.
It's a sad day.
When Janne Andersson took the Swedish Championship gold as coach with IFK Norrköping in 2015, it was a congratulatory greeting that stood out extra much, the one from Bengt "Bengan" Johansson.
- It was cool, I had him as a role model early on and got a greeting via a newspaper, it warmed up a little extra, he told SVT then.