Crisis meeting gave a boost: "A good and nice meeting"

A "crisis meeting" on Thursday where the players got to talk things through yielded results. The handball men crushed Croatia 38-27 in the crucial match and are still in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games. It was a good and nice meeting and we showed that it gave something, says nine-goal shooter Lucas Pellas.

» Published:

Crisis meeting gave a boost: "A good and nice meeting"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Share this article

Sweden was under pressure ahead of the meeting with Croatia in the Olympic Games.

After two losses in three matches – most recently against Slovenia in a bleak performance – a win was a must against Croatia.

In any case, a national team with high medal hopes with them to Paris would be able to reach the Olympic quarterfinals without help.

Moreover, without suspended Jim Gottfridsson and injured Felix Claar and Daniel Pettersson.

We had a meeting yesterday and everyone felt that we didn't do what we stand for against Slovenia. We talked it out, everyone who wanted to said something, and then we agreed that now we're going to beat Croatia. We know what we can do, says Pellas, the top Swedish scorer in the match.

"Gives confidence"

Sweden still has to win Sunday's group final against bottom-placed Japan. But the big win against Croatia could have been the turning point.

I think this gives confidence and a moral boost, and that we can play without two of the world's best centers and beat Croatia by eleven goals is awesome, says Pellas.

Sweden started a bit shaky. But after a timeout after a quarter, at a four-goal deficit, the turnaround began.

The "Blue and Yellow" finished the first half by scoring five goals in the last three minutes and taking a halftime lead of 18–15.

Directly in the second half, the winning streak continued with five straight Swedish goals.

After the break, it was a Swedish exhibition.

Goalkeeper veteran Andreas Palicka excelled with 15 saves. He also contributed offensively with two goals in an empty Croatian goal.

"The stupidest thing you can do"

The big win means that Sweden cannot miss the quarterfinals if they win against Japan. If they had won by less than six goals against Croatia, there was a nightmare scenario where the top five teams in Sweden's group would all end up with six points in the table.

Then, the goal difference would have been decisive for the fourth and final quarterfinal spot.

But we still have to beat Japan, otherwise it's a trip home on Monday, says national team coach Glenn Solberg.

The information about the goal difference was not communicated on the pitch, however.

We knew that the goal difference was extremely important, but to start thinking about the result is the stupidest thing you can do. It's about thinking about what you need to do, explains Solberg the strategy.

The status of injured Felix Claar and Daniel Pettersson is still unclear ahead of the Japan match.

European Championship 2024: Bronze.

World Championship 2023: Fourth.

European Championship 2022: Gold.

Olympic Games 2021: Fifth.

World Championship 2021: Silver.

Tags

Author

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

More news

SHL Season Begins: Key Storylines to Watch

SHL Season Begins: Key Storylines to Watch

SHL Faces Backlash Over Red Bull Partnership

SHL Faces Backlash Over Red Bull Partnership

Lindfors Misses Discus Final in Tears as Kamga Advances

Lindfors Misses Discus Final in Tears as Kamga Advances

Wictor Petersson Advances to World Championship Shot Put Final

Wictor Petersson Advances to World Championship Shot Put Final

Perseus Karlström Finishes 19th in Tokyo After Race Struggles

Perseus Karlström Finishes 19th in Tokyo After Race Struggles

Blackstenius Shines as Arsenal Triumphs Over West Ham in Derby

Blackstenius Shines as Arsenal Triumphs Over West Ham in Derby

Turkey Advances to European Basketball Championship Final After Defeating Greece

Turkey Advances to European Basketball Championship Final After Defeating Greece

Sweden Levels Davis Cup Tie Against Tunisia After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Levels Davis Cup Tie Against Tunisia After Dramatic Comeback

Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger Sidelined by Injury Until December

Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger Sidelined by Injury Until December

Olympic Gold Medalist Andrei Chemerkin Dies at 53

Olympic Gold Medalist Andrei Chemerkin Dies at 53

Finland Falls to Germany in European Basketball Semifinal

Finland Falls to Germany in European Basketball Semifinal

Newcastle Coach Eddie Howe Discusses Alexander Isak's Departure

Newcastle Coach Eddie Howe Discusses Alexander Isak's Departure

Perseus Karlström Prepares for Tokyo World Championship Heat

Perseus Karlström Prepares for Tokyo World Championship Heat

Ludvig Åberg Drops to Second in PGA Championship at Wentworth

Ludvig Åberg Drops to Second in PGA Championship at Wentworth

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo 10000m

Andreas Almgren Aims for World Championship Medal in Tokyo 10000m

Rögle Signs NHL Veteran Defenseman Calvin de Haan

Rögle Signs NHL Veteran Defenseman Calvin de Haan

Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Receives Four-Year Suspension

Sprinter Erriyon Knighton Receives Four-Year Suspension

Mike Powell Suspended from All Athletics Activities by AIU

Mike Powell Suspended from All Athletics Activities by AIU

Mutaz Essa Barshim to Miss Tokyo World Championship Due to Injury

Mutaz Essa Barshim to Miss Tokyo World Championship Due to Injury

Ethiopian Runner Diribe Welteji Suspended Before World Championship

Ethiopian Runner Diribe Welteji Suspended Before World Championship