SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Apelgren: "Got to work a little beforehand"

The new national team captain Michael Apelgren delivered no evasions when he presented his first handball squad. He spoke plainly about why he rejects certain veterans. It is also permitted for you in the media to write about whether you agree or not, says the 40-year-old.

» Updated: 16 October 2024, 15:05

» Published: 16 October 2024

Apelgren: "Got to work a little beforehand"
Photo: Oscar Olsson/TT

On Monday, Michael Apelgren was presented as the new national team captain for the men's handball team, following Norwegian Glenn Solberg, who surprisingly announced his resignation in September after four years in the position.

Even before it was clear that he would get the new job, Apelgren, who assisted Solberg for two years, had been in contact with the players.

I got to work a little beforehand, I had a feeling it would turn out like this, he says in connection with his first team presentation two days later.

"Is better"

Apelgren presented the team in Danish Ålborg. Later that Wednesday evening, his Pick Szeged - the Hungarian giant club - will face Ålborg in the Champions League.

From the Danish club, he has selected the 24-year-old goalkeeper Fabian Norsten. Experienced Mikael Appelgren, who was third goalkeeper in the Olympic Games, is left out.

Right now, he (Norsten) is a regular in the reigning Champions League finalists, was born in 2000, and is Swedish. I think he's exciting and it'll be fun to see if he takes that final step, says Apelgren, who will continue to train Pick Szeged.

Middleman Andreas "Stycket" Nilsson was selected for the Olympic Games but declined due to family reasons. The national team door is not closed for Nilsson, who now plays in Önnered in the handball league, but the 34-year-old is rejected now.

I'll be honest and say that I think Felix Möller, Oscar Bergendahl, and Max Darj are better, says Apelgren.

He does not expect star Felix Claar to recover in time for the World Championship at the beginning of next year. The middleman had foot surgery in September.

We're counting on him being out of the World Championship. We believe and work based on that scenario. It makes the middleman position feel a bit exciting.

Not playing "cowboy"

In the middle, the only debutant in the team for the November matches against France and Denmark in the national team tournament EHF Euro Cup is Ludvig Hallbäck, Göppingen.

It feels fresh with Ludvig in an otherwise not so fresh team, says Apelgren with a smile.

By that, Apelgren means that he doesn't see any reason to play "cowboy" and change the entire team.

I became national team captain two days ago. We might not want to shoot everything from right to left, he says.

The handball national team's squad for the matches against France (November 6, away) and Denmark (November 14, in Linköping) in the national team tournament EHF Euro Cup:

Goalkeepers: Andreas Palicka, Paris Saint-Germain, Tobias Thulin, Pick Szeged, Fabian Norsten, Ålborg.

Left back: Hampus Wanne, Barcelona, Lucas Pellas, Montpellier.

Middle back: Max Darj, Füchse Berlin, Oscar Bergendahl, Magdeburg, Felix Möller, Ålborg.

Right back: Sebastian Karlsson, Montpellier, Isak Persson, Magdeburg.

Left wing: Jonathan Carlsbogård, Barcelona, Karl Wallinius, Kiel, Eric Johansson, Kiel.

Middle wing: Jim Gottfridsson, Flensburg-Handewitt, Jonathan Edvardsson, Hannover-Burgdorf, Ludvig Hallbäck, Göppingen.

Right wing: Albin Lagergren, Magdeburg, Lukas Sandell, Veszprem.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Top clash in the FA Cup – Arsenal vs Manchester United
1 MIN READ

Top clash in the FA Cup – Arsenal vs Manchester United

Goal Festival as the Handball Women Crushed Turkey
2 MIN READ

Goal Festival as the Handball Women Crushed Turkey

Ymer ready for DC play: "Is very loaded"
3 MIN READ

Ymer ready for DC play: "Is very loaded"

"Saudis' investment increases – over 900 sponsorship agreements"
2 MIN READ

"Saudis' investment increases – over 900 sponsorship agreements"

Refused to wear rainbow armband – explains why
1 MIN READ

Refused to wear rainbow armband – explains why

The Icon is Thanked - But Can She Be Replaced?
4 MIN READ

The Icon is Thanked - But Can She Be Replaced?

Norwegian Sprint Star Back After Operation
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Sprint Star Back After Operation

European Championship success robbed at home
1 MIN READ

European Championship success robbed at home

Putin postpones planned major competition – again
1 MIN READ

Putin postpones planned major competition – again

Asllani's criticism of Reinfeldt: "Different opinions"
3 MIN READ

Asllani's criticism of Reinfeldt: "Different opinions"

AIK fires the coach – the profile takes over
1 MIN READ

AIK fires the coach – the profile takes over

"Verstappen: He Can Go to Hell"
2 MIN READ

"Verstappen: He Can Go to Hell"

The Norwegian star: The Swedes are "extremely strong"
3 MIN READ

The Norwegian star: The Swedes are "extremely strong"

The Club Confirms: Bove Awake After Collapse
1 MIN READ

The Club Confirms: Bove Awake After Collapse

Northug wants to switch national teams: "Desperate"
1 MIN READ

Northug wants to switch national teams: "Desperate"

Keita on the tragedy: "Something that must never happen"
2 MIN READ

Keita on the tragedy: "Something that must never happen"

The Star about the tough time: The national team saved me
4 MIN READ

The Star about the tough time: The national team saved me

At Least 50 Dead in Football Riot: "The Morgue is Full"
1 MIN READ

At Least 50 Dead in Football Riot: "The Morgue is Full"

Duplantis praised – and snubbed
1 MIN READ

Duplantis praised – and snubbed

Sirius sacks the coach
1 MIN READ

Sirius sacks the coach