PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden has a tough and winding road to the medal matches in the handball WC. But it was already clear before the draw was made.
– We have lost the allure of lotteries, says Jim Gottfridsson.
Croatia, Denmark and Norway share the hosting of this year’s handball WC. Before the draw last year, the host countries also had to place another five countries in different groups, choices made for geographical reasons.
Germany ended up in Denmark, Sweden was placed in Norway. At the same time as the on paper weaker teams Austria, Hungary and Slovenia get to play in Croatia, where four of the eight opening World Cup groups are decided.
“That’s the problem”
Jim Gottfridsson is critical of the arrangement:
– What to say? That’s a bit of the problem we still have in handball. It’s called lottery, but I don’t understand how to “draw”…
– We could just as easily have played in Croatia. But then we end up with handball thinking that it is better that Sweden plays in Norway, because then we sell more tickets. Yes, but… then I don’t really know what is most important – is it about the sporting aspect or about us selling tickets?
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New for this year’s WC is, to top it all off, that the teams in the two halves do not cross on the way to the final. That makes Blågult’s situation even tougher. In Sweden’s half, in addition to Norway and the Olympic finalists Denmark and Germany – which was therefore clear in advance – there is also, among other things, the Olympic bronze medalist Spain.
Only two of the teams reach the semi-finals. Only one of the teams may play in the final.
– It’s a tough side we’ve ended up on, you have to say that, says Gottfridsson with a wry smile.
Premiere against Japan
Of the WC’s seven biggest favorites according to the betting companies, only France and Croatia are in the second half.
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There have been other championships in the near future where Sweden has similarly been given a favorable path in the tournament, so it’s not about “Gotte” being a bad loser.
He just wants to see a change going forward.
– The sport has developed so much and become so popular. Seeding is one thing, but then we should be able to draw lots and it will be as it will be, then it still feels fair, he says.
Sweden meets Japan in the WC premiere in Oslo, at 20.30 tonight.
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