Sweden’s handball players are at the European Championship in their own country surprisingly before the end. The Swedes lost 25:35 (12:15) against outsider Portugal in Malmö at the start of the main round. With 0: 4 points, the team of coach Kristjan Andrésson as bottom of Group II has hardly any chances of entering the semi-finals.
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Four Swedish internationals had previously apologized for a trip to a bar: According to the association, Captain Gottfridsson had one or two glasses of alcoholic beverages after a dinner in Malmö on Wednesday evening with his teammates Andreas Nilsson, Kim Ekdahl du Rietz and Kiel’s Lukas Nilsson taken. “It was a case of poor judgment,” Gottfridsson was quoted by the association. He and his colleagues had asked the entire team and fans for forgiveness. Coach Andrésson said he was disappointed that this had happened. But the players had apologized that everything had been discussed – that was the end of the matter. The association still wants to think about stricter alcohol guidelines.
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The main round group II lead Norway and Slovenia with 4: 0 points each. Vice World Champion Norway prevailed 36:29 (20:12) against Hungary. Thanks to the seven goals from superstar Sander Sagosen, the Norwegians remain on course for the semi-finals.
Previously, Slovenia’s handball players had continued their surprisingly strong appearances at the European Championship in the main round. At the start of the next tournament phase, the team of former Bundesliga coach Ljubomir Vranjes won 30:27 (15:14) against Iceland.
The outstanding Dean Bombac was the best thrower of the Slovenes with nine goals. The Icelanders did not help the six goals of the Bundesliga professional Bjarki Mar Elisson from TBV Lemgo to victory.
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