PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden is the reigning European champion in handball.
And they did not disappoint in the first match of the handball EC.
Blågult defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina by a whopping 29-20 this evening.
Tight at the back but a somewhat stressed and stagnant attacking game against a steady, compact Bosnian defence. This is how it looked initially in the SAP arena.
Barely seven minutes into the meeting in Mannheim, only three goals had been produced, two of which were Swedish. Then came the first important Swedish move, in many and many signed middle six Oscar Bergendahl.
EC premiere victory
He scored both 4–2 and 5–3 before Albin Lagergren grumbled the national team to a three-goal lead.
– We start a little slowly but work our way into the match, stand very well at the back and “Palle (Andreas Palicka) takes what he has to,” says Bergendahl to Viaplay.
The article continues below.
When Jim Gottfridsson splashed in his third goal to make it 7–3, the foundation was laid for a highly anticipated premiership victory. Hampus Wanne ended up on a scoring spree, punching in four straight balls as Sweden went from 8–5 to 11–5.
Bosnia responded with three straight goals straight after the break. Halfway into the second half, the Swedish lead was down to just three goals, Albin Lagergren took a big blow to one shoulder, but Wanne managed the penalty to make it 19-15.
Iron-resistant Palicka
Andreas Palicka got the occasional plug, one shot hard in the chest, another in the head.
The veteran goalkeeper had to work – and contributed with several saves in a half that was almost completely even in terms of goals. Thanks to a strong finish, it was won by Sweden 15–13.
READ MORE: Andreas Palicka takes his place among the legends ahead of the handball EC: “How cool – I’m proud”
In the early second game of the group, the Netherlands opened by beating championship debutants Georgia. The national team captain Staffan Olsson could take advantage of 34-29 and the ability to match many players.
Next, the former national team star’s men face Bosnia on Saturday, a few hours before Sweden meets Georgia. On Monday, the Netherlands finish the group stage against Sweden.
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