Östgöten Claar started as usual on the bench in the national handball team’s victory match against Iceland, but had to come in instead of Jim Gottfridsson when Sweden had a bit of a hard time in the first half. When a 12-15 deficit was turned into a 17-16 lead at the break – which was 35-30 in the end – Felix Claar had a key role.
Claar accounted for three goals and two assists in five minutes and Sweden could go to the half-time break with a little more confidence.
“It’s well accepted, it was fun,” says the 26-year-old humbly about his effort.
“Coolest Match”
The truth is that Norrköpingssonen, who after the season changes Danish Ålborg for German top club Magdeburg, time and again shows what a class player he is. Even if he finds himself starting on the side of the field, as Gottfridsson is still the first choice as middle nine.
— This is probably the coolest match you’ve played, the setting was fantastic. It was a lot of fun, says Claar after Friday night’s Nordic clash in Scandinavium.
Sweden and Iceland offered an intense fight and in the packed stands the fans of both teams contributed with a wonderful atmosphere.
— Before the match when you run in and it’s the national anthem, then you get goosebumps all over your body. Then during the match you go into some other “fashion”, but you really suck it up.
When Sweden plays its last match in Gothenburg, against Portugal on Sunday night, it is meaningless for Blågult, who have already secured the group victory in the intermediate round.
— Great, now we can play the last round a little more relaxed. It’s super lovely. We have already gone through many players in the squad and will probably come fresh to the quarter-finals.
“Slight Head Start”
Sweden travels to Stockholm by train on Monday. Only that evening, Denmark and Egypt will meet in what looks to be a group final in Malmö, where the loser will face Sweden in the World Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.
“We can start preparing now, it’s clear that we have a small lead,” says Claar.
— I think that Denmark will beat Egypt and that we will therefore have to face Egypt.
Which is also what Felix Claar is hoping for.