Bronze in handball EC
Published 2024-01-28 16.37
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COLOGNE. It was a dramatic bronze match between Sweden and Germany.
Sweden held off and secured EC bronze and Olympic place.
– On the bus here I was still thinking about that semi-final, says Felix Claar.
Last Friday, it was clear that Sweden would not repeat the gold success from European Championship 2022 and they had to aim for the bronze.
It was bronze, despite the home nation Germany having a boiling arena on their side. Sweden quickly went from a large lead, which was written to 18-12 at halftime.
Germany crept closer in the second half and the final minutes were fractious when the margin was just one goal at one point. But Sweden eventually won 34–31 after Andreas Palicka stepped forward with a couple of sweaty saves in the final minutes.
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full screen Andreas Palicka gets a hug from Albin Lagergren. Photo: Ludvig Thunman / Bildbyrån
“Pig pride”
Sweden’s best goalscorer with eight goals was Felix Claar, closely followed by Sebastian Karlsson who received increased confidence from national team captain Glenn Solberg and scored seven goals.
– It was an okay match, says Karlsson.
Claar found it difficult to recharge after the semi-final against France.
– Personally, it sat for an incredibly long time. On the bus here I was still thinking about that semi-final. But then when you come in here and there are 20,000 in the stands, something happens. Then you really want to do everything to win, says Claar.
Max Darj agrees. He had wanted to play the final instead.
– It’s still a bit bitter, because I think we deserved it. I don’t know how we can manage to rethink and reposition our heads for a bronze match today. I am very proud of the team and everyone around us, that we can do it, says Darj.
Ready for the Olympics
The victory not only means that the Swedish players can leave the EC with bronze medals around their necks.
The team is now also qualified for this summer’s Olympics in Paris thanks to the third place in the EC. Felix Claar does not hesitate about what is most important for the Olympic place and the European Championship bronze.
– The Olympic place, one hundred percent, says Claar.
– That was what I had in mind before the bronze medal. It’s great to be able to have these national team weeks and do a little as you want. It will be a little more free that way.
For Germany, a tough Olympic qualification awaits in mid-March.
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full screen chevron-right nextSebastian Karlsson and Jonathan Carlsbogård hug after the bronze.
1 / 2Photo: LUDVIG THUNMAN / BILDBYRÅN
