The national handball team finished the first group stage undefeated, but with a slightly bitter taste in their mouth after the draw against Spain yesterday.
Then Sweden started strongly and led by as much as seven goals, only to lose everything at the end.
Now the intermediate round against Portugal began, with a lukewarm atmosphere on the half-empty stands in the World Championship arena just outside Oslo. And Sweden took – unfortunately – where they left off last time. Offensively, there were far too many technical errors and defensively, the goals poured in. When a quarter of the game had been played, Andreas Palicka had already let ten goals past him.
Important points at stake
Then it turned to 11–10 and Swedish lead for the first time after Niclas Ekberg's counter-attack goal.
The lead grew to 18–15 after a good blue-yellow period, but Portugal finished the first half with three straight goals and the situation was completely open ahead of the second half.
There were enormously important points at stake, not least considering that Portugal was the only team with a maximum of four points ahead of the intermediate round.
A loss would in practice mean that Sweden was out of the group win, which would almost certainly mean that Denmark would be waiting in a potential quarterfinal.
Fabian Norsten had replaced Palicka at the end of the first half, but had to leave the spot again for the veteran in a 26–27 deficit.
I think they get far too easy middle six positions. Our goalkeepers don't get much help there, says right-back Albin Lagergren to Viaplay.
A thriller
It was a real goal fest with few saves. Albin Lagergren was hot and carried the Swedish offense, but Portugal kept pace and with just over five minutes left, Norsten entered the goal again.
A thrilling finish awaited. With less than two minutes left, Lagergren scored 37–36. Portugal equalized with less than a minute left.
Sweden got a final attack. Jim Gottfridsson shot – but too late.
And the match ended in a draw.
It's two matches that are almost identical, says Albin Lagergren, thinking of the draw against Spain in the first group stage.
Where I think we should win in the end. It's a shame. We shouldn't have lost points yet. It's tough when we have done it, says the right-back to Viaplay.
Portugal 5 points
Sweden 4
Brazil 4
Spain 3
Norway 2
Chile 0
The two best teams advance to the quarterfinals.
Remaining matches, Friday: Portugal-Spain, Sweden-Brazil, Norway-Chile.
Sunday: Spain-Chile, Portugal-Brazil, Norway-Sweden.
