Sweden (SWE)

Eight years ago, Sweden secured their most recent medal at the EHF EURO, bronze, after winning five games in the competition. They went on to win just five games in the next three editions combined, and their disappointing performance at the EHF EURO 2020 saw them finish 11th overall.

Some players from that squad are still active in the national team, like back Jamina Roberts, line player Linn Blohm and right wing Nathalie Hagman, and they will be trying to use their experience to bring the Scandinavian side back into the elite, with a supporting cast full of young and hungry players.

They had an impressive 2021, finishing fifth at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship and fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In Tokyo they missed a medal by a whisker, with little details and stronger opponents denying their challenge. More importantly, Sweden proved that their ability to regenerate is impressive, with new players consistently coming to the fore through an extensive pipeline of talent.      

Meanwhile the junior side finished fourth at the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship this summer. Some of that squad could also feature at the EHF EURO, such as back Tyra Axnér, coach Tomas Axnér’s daughter, who played superbly at the Junior World Championship and has a huge handball IQ.

Therefore, Sweden might have been handed a tough draw in a group with Denmark, hosts Slovenia, and Serbia, but they have both the pedigree and the means to progress to the main round and challenge for a medal, especially if they start with three wins in the preliminary round.

Sweden have a history of players really starring at the EHF EURO, with Linnea Torstenson being named the MVP in 2010 and Isabelle Gulldén following in her footsteps in 2014. Therefore, there is already a tradition for Sweden backs to have great performances at the EHF EURO and drive the side towards the medals.

Read more about the Swedish team HERE.