"One idea is to do something new"

He himself is satisfied with the way of working in the national team. He likes the framework that has existed, how the players have been involved in the way forward, and believes that the result has been good.

However, Apelgren wants to build something new and own alongside the plan.

I think that's the right way to go, considering the history. There will probably be some changes, it feels right in my gut to go that way, and then we'll see how it turns out.

Successful with turmoil

The men's handball national team was successful under Glenn Solberg's leadership.

The Norwegian, who replaced Kristján Andrésson in 2020, led Sweden in six championships and brought the national team to three medals: World Championship silver in 2021, European Championship gold in 2022, and European Championship bronze earlier this year.

Besides the medals, his collaboration with his assistants, first Martin Boquist and then Apelgren, came into focus – and that's what the new national team captain is referring to when he says "considering the history".

Boquist, who was fired in 2022, has said that it was Solberg who wanted to get rid of him. Apelgren was stopped, according to several Swedish media, among other things, from participating in tactical reviews, most recently during the summer's Olympic Games in France.

It's clear that everything becomes very exaggerated in the media, it's natural, but I understand that it was written about. My starting point is actually that you look forward, it's history now, and it's experiences that we all take with us and that shape us, he says.

It's never as black and white as it's written in a newspaper. But it's clear, there's no smoke without fire.

Dual role

Apelgren hopes that the dynamics this time will make the question not become so loaded and interesting.

And he is one of those who can influence the climate in the national team.

The Swede, who will be dual-role, as he has a contract with the Hungarian top club Pick Szeged, will have to count on hectic days ahead.

Already in early November, matches against France and Denmark await in the EHF Euro Cup – where the squad will be selected on Wednesday – and in early next year, the World Championship in Denmark, Norway, and Croatia awaits. In 2026, the European Championship awaits on home soil.

Everything is something he looks forward to.

When I got a concrete inquiry, I realized how big it is and what a privilege it is, and I felt that it attracted me, it was hard to say no. It's a big day for me personally.

Michael Apelgren has signed for four years.

Born: August 20, 1984, in Stockholm.

Current: Takes over the men's handball national team after Glenn Solberg surprisingly resigned in September. Will dual-role as he has a contract with the Hungarian top club Pick Szeged.

Clubs as a player: Djurgården, Hammarby, Granollers, Sävehof, Puerto Sagunto, Elverum.

Previous clubs as a coach: Elverum, Sävehof.

1938-1948: Herbert Johansson.

1948-1967: Curt Wadmark.

1967-1974: Roland Mattsson.

1974-1979: Bertil Andersén.

1979-1980: Ingemar Eriksson.

1980-1982: Caj-Åke Andersson.

1982-1988: Roger Carlsson.

1988-2004: Bengt Johansson.

2004-2008: Ingemar Linnéll.

2008-2016: Ola Lindgren and Staffan Olsson.