Sweden lost the match against the home nation Hungary with 25-32, a match that was considered a key match to be able to go far in the EC. Assuming Sweden wins the last group stage match against Turkey and makes it to the main round, it will be tough to reach the first or second place required to reach a semi-final.
– Now we have to rearrange the cards and see what the way forward is from here, maybe it is that we need a little help along the way from another team, says Tomas Axnér to SVT Sport.
After the teams take the points from the group into the main round, also called the intermediate round.
– Now maybe we need to win all our matches in the intermediate round, but we still have everything in our own hands, says Linn Blohm.
But even if Sweden beats France and goes clean in the other games, goal difference can ultimately decide if the teams end up on the same score.
– It is still open and France looks weak and does not seem to be in shape, says SVT Sports expert Mikaela Mässing who does not believe that Turkey will surprise against Sweden.
– The odds of a new total collapse are low, says Mässing.
Montenegro can help Sweden
Although Linn Blohm believes that they have everything in their own hands, Tomas Axnér sees that it probably needs help from other teams.
– Montenegro is a team that can make it happen for both us, Hungary and France, there are still opportunities rather than a more difficult path forward, says Tomas Axnér.