PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Johanna Bundsen nailed it again – completely.
The Swedish goalkeeper kept a clean sheet for an incredible 14 minutes at the start of the World Cup quarter-final against Germany (27–20).
– A great start, she says.
No, it was not a public party in Boxen in Danish Herning. But those who had settled down in the stands to watch the quarter-finals of the handball World Cup between Sweden and Germany probably couldn’t believe their eyes during the first half.
Germany could not score a goal. The Swedish defensive game was perfect – and the goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen basically saved everything.
“Incredible start”
It took a full 14 minutes and eight seconds before Germany could crack the Bundsen’s zero.
– I heard it after the match, but it wasn’t something I thought about at the time. We get an incredibly great start to this match, she says.
– Everything was right. We hit them well in the back, we get saves and can pressure them in the second phase. It felt like we were in control, Bundsen continues.
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And Sweden had control. At halftime it was 16-6 and in the end it was 27-20.
– We led by ten at the break and we would have had to be incredibly bad for them to be able to catch up, we had control over that, says Bundsen.
– Sweden cannot have been close to a lead like this in such an important match before. It feels almost unreal good, noted the expert Martin Frändesjö in Viaplay after the first half.
No known pressure
The gold favorite France now awaits in the semi-finals. Before the championship, it was said that Sweden’s path to the semi-finals was open, that if the team only did their part, no giants would stand up to the opposition until the semi-finals.
– One of the best efforts I’ve seen from a Swedish national handball team, says TV expert Frändesjö after the match.
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Bundsen, who had a 43 save percentage against Germany, has felt no pressure – despite the relatively easy schedule.
– I have tried not to think about it and just take it one match at a time. I know it sounds cliche. People have said we’ve had an incredibly good path to the semis, but that’s not something I’ve focused on. I take it day by day, she says.
What do you think of Johanna Bundsen’s effort? Share the article and have your say!
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