The most recent Swedish championship medal is a European Championship bronze in 2014. Since then, the national team has gone without a draw from twelve consecutive championships. With several fourth places in the bag, the sights were now set on a medal.
But there was no luck in 2024 either. After losses against both Hungary and Romania in the main round, Sweden had to win against the great nation France. A task that became overwhelming.
– It is sour. We have played semi-finals in recent years in most championships. It is bitter to lose three games so early in the tournament. Our goal was to make it to the semi-finals and we didn’t, says Nathalie Hagman.
Sweden kept pace up to 6–6, then France started to pull away. The loss figures were written at 27-31.
– I feel empty right now. France is a good team, we did a lot of good things today. But it’s not enough all the way and now we have to fight to play for 5th-6th place, says Nathalie Hagman.
Sweden has one match left, against Montenegro, but is thus already counted out of the semi-final places that go to Hungary and France. If Sweden wins the match against Montenegro, there is a chance that they will be allowed to play for 5th-6th place in the tournament.