The Swedish advancement to the semi-finals in the handball EC was secured before Tuesday evening’s main round meeting with Norway, which ended with a Norwegian crush. 33-23.
– A pissing effort today. We lack the last percent to go full force and sacrifice ourselves, says Andreas “Stycket” Nilsson, who received sparing playing time in the tournament but was given the chance in the insignificant match.
Both the goalkeeper Andreas Palicka and the left junior Jonathan Carlsbogård sat in the stands in the match. And from there they got to see Albin Lagergren, Sweden’s fourth best scorer in the championship, break the game early in the first half.
Reassuring message
Högernian sat on the bench, looked a little tormented and received treatment from a physiotherapist. He seemed to move quite freely – and after the match he came with positive news.
– I have spoken to doctors and physiotherapists who are calm and I trust them. The muscle has contracted a bit and didn’t want to participate today. I will have treatment now when I get back and in the next few days as well. Right now it feels a bit stiff and numb, says Albin Lagergren.
Sweden lost two matches in the main round, against group winner Denmark and eliminated Norway. Now Sweden will face France in the EC semi-final on Friday.
Norway-Sweden 33-23 (15-12)
Norway: Alexandre Christoffersen Blonz 11, Tobias Schjölberg Gröndahl 5, Kristian Björnsen 5, Simen Ulstad Lyse 4, Magnus Gullerud 3, Harald Reinkind 3, Erik Thorsteinsen Toft, Petter Överby.
Sweden: Lukas Sandell 4, Max Darj 3, Andreas Nilsson 3, Hampus Wanne 2, Karl Wallinius 2, Daniel Pettersson 2, Oscar Bergendahl, Jim Gottfridsson, Felix Claar, Eric Johansson, Sebastian Karlsson, Jonathan Edvardsson, Lucas Pellas.