"One idea is to do something new"

Glenn Solberg said goodbye – and is replaced by Michael Apelgren. Now the new national team captain of handball wants to change the national team. One idea is to do something new, he says.

» Published: October 14 2024

"One idea is to do something new"
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

Share this article

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.

2016-2020: Kristján Andrésson.

2020-2024: Glenn Solberg.

2024-: Michael Apelgren.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Leads Slovenia 1-0 at Halftime in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Sweden Leads Slovenia 1-0 at Halftime in World Championship Qualifier

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final
1 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification
1 MIN READ

Football Manager Highlights Financial Boost from World Championship Qualification

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Sweden U21 Triumphs 3-0 Over Armenia in Euro 2027 Qualifier

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club
1 MIN READ

Lagergren Leads European Tour After Stunning 62 at The K Club

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery
1 MIN READ

Kulusevski Aims for Return in 2-3 Months After Knee Surgery

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Benched for World Championship Qualifier Against Slovenia

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football
1 MIN READ

Lotta Schelin Joins Fifa Group to Combat Racism in Football

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari
2 MIN READ

World Championship Dream Drives Footballers Elanga and Ayari

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain
2 MIN READ

Spanish Minister Supports Potential Ban of Israel Premier Tech from Tour of Spain

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Comments on Isak's Liverpool Move: "It's His Choice"

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division
3 MIN READ

Malmö FF Nears Unexpected SM Gold in Women's Top Division

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League
1 MIN READ

Amo HK Urges Uppvidinge for Arena Renovation to Stay in Elite League

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End
2 MIN READ

Skellefteå Faces Goalkeeper Crisis as Linus Söderström Out Until Year-End

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track
1 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Prison for Pushing Person onto Stockholm Subway Track

World Championship Qualification Guide: Sweden vs Slovenia Preview
3 MIN READ

World Championship Qualification Guide: Sweden vs Slovenia Preview

London City Lionesses Set New Transfer Record with Grace Geyoro Signing
1 MIN READ

London City Lionesses Set New Transfer Record with Grace Geyoro Signing

Sweden's Strategy for European Basketball Championship: "Will Shock Them"
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Strategy for European Basketball Championship: "Will Shock Them"

Swedes May Miss Sweden vs Slovenia World Championship Qualifier on TV
1 MIN READ

Swedes May Miss Sweden vs Slovenia World Championship Qualifier on TV