There is a clear trend that the national handball team is only getting older and older.
When Kristján Andrésson selected his first championship squad, for the World Championship 2017, the average age was just over 24.
When Glenn Solberg made his debut in the World Championship 2021, the average age had risen to just over 26.
Now, another four years have passed and in Michael Apelgren's World Championship squad, there are many players who have been around for a long time – such as Andreas Palicka, 38, Niclas Ekberg, 36, Andreas Nilsson, 34, Jim Gottfridsson and Albin Lagergren, both 32.
The average age of the 17-man squad, which has started the World Championship with two clear victories, is a bit over 29 years.
"The downside" is that we who are over or around 30 are still good. Then the question is: when will the young generation come in? That question didn't exist in the same way under Kristján and Glenn, but it does a bit under "Apel" now, says Jim Gottfridsson.
"A little uncertainty"
Apelgren agrees:
That's one of the things we're talking about. We need to get results here and now because we're national team coaches, but it's also the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028. Can we make do with these guys then? I don't know.
Are you worried or calm about how it looks in a few years?
It's something we need to think about. At the same time, in world handball, look at the biggest clubs in the Champions League, there are many over 30. So I don't feel that the number 29 means any major stress, says Apelgren.
On the other hand, maybe there is a little uncertainty. These generations that have been involved and created medals and even gold with the national team – they did it even in youth championships. It hasn't quite looked like that now, until the 06 generation came (and took gold in the U18 European Championship last year).
New faces
Among players born in the 2000s, it's actually only left-hander Eric Johansson, 42 caps, who has established himself in the national team.
But in this World Championship squad, middle-six Felix Möller (born 2002), who has gotten a bigger role than before due to injuries, has already shown his skills, most recently with ten goals in Saturday's victory over Chile. At the same time, Fabian Norsten (born 2000) got the trust in goal, and in the squad, there is also championship debutant Edwin Aspenbäck (born 2000).
Niclas Ekberg is the one who has made the most national team appearances in the World Championship squad, a total of 214 since his debut in 2008.
Swedish handball always produces good players, I'm not worried about the future, says he.
Sweden plays its third World Championship match against Spain on Monday evening.
