PHOTO: Bildbyrån
What a dream start for Blågult in the handball EC!
Sweden wins the third straight match after huge drama against the Netherlands.
Everything was decided in the final seconds when Sweden triumphantly won with 29-28.
Extremely important points were at stake when the meeting between Sweden and the Netherlands was to be decided in Mannheim. Because it makes a big difference if you bring two or zero points to the intermediate round in Hamburg, where tough matches against Norway and Denmark, among others, await.
Palicka hero
When Sweden won European Championship gold two years ago, they won the three final matches with the odd goal and now it was another painfully sweaty shiver. The Netherlands had the opportunity to extend a two-goal lead with just a couple of minutes left, but instead could Hampus Wanne shortly afterwards concede a penalty.
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With about a minute left, succeeded Felix Claar submit 29–28 for Sweden. Then stepped Andreas Palicka – who had sat on the bench for almost the entire second half – into the proceedings.
A couple of match-deciding saves by the veteran and the team captain mean that Sweden takes two points to the intermediate round. After two initial EC victories of a walking nature, against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Georgia, Sweden had to show their colors properly in the group final against the Netherlands.
Olsson against Blågult
Brought to you by the dealer Luc Stein’s the Netherlands played smartly, wittily and time and again worshiped the blue-yellow defense.
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Sweden had it much tougher offensively, and that applies not least to an unusually slow pace Jim Gottfridsson. When he was replaced after just over ten minutes, the deficit was 3–6. The only Swede who enjoyed himself in Mannheim at that time was Staffan Olssonthe national team legend and former national team captain who now leads the Netherlands and for the first time faced the home country.
Claar impressed
Gottfridsson was replaced by Felix Claar, whose form on the day was all the better. With Östgöten as the leader, Sweden slowly caught up, even passing for a short while, and at halftime it was completely equal at 15-15.
READ MORE: Andreas Palicka takes his place among the legends in the handball EC: “How cool – I’m proud”
Tobias Thulin replaced Palicka in the goal after the break and got a good start between the posts, and then Sweden could immediately pull away to a three-goal lead. But the Netherlands came back – and went on an injury spree when linebackers Samir Benghanem had to be carried out on a stretcher. Then the score was 25-25 with ten minutes left to play.
Tie mode, shiver mode. And so it continued all the way into the final seconds.
Sweden meets Slovenia, Denmark, Portugal and Norway in the intermediate round.
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