Emptiness after heavy defeat: "It hurts like hell"

Pain, emptiness, and anger – but also pride. These were the dominant emotions after the brutally tough loss in the Olympic Games semifinal against France. We played our best handball ever for 45 minutes, says Linn Blohm.

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Emptiness after heavy defeat: "It hurts like hell"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

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Mittsexan was one of many Swedes who came to the mixed zone with blank eyes after the semi-final defeat in Lille.

The lead – and a place in the Olympic Games final – was Sweden's until only 14 seconds remained of the second half. But after France's equalizer, Sweden never got a decent chance to decide. Blohm was annoyed about how she herself wasted several valuable seconds after arranging a Swedish free throw in the end.

I get a blow to the head and completely lose focus. There, I just need to get the ball away so we can get a better shot at goal, says Blohm.

It feels incredibly empty. I'm frustrated, angry. All kinds of emotions.

"No nice words"

It's hard to get closer to an Olympic Games final than Sweden did in front of around 27,000 fanatical home fans in Lille. But in the end, France was too strong and won 31–28.

It hurts like hell when you lose a match like this, says national team captain Tomas Axnér.

This is one of the best national team performances we've made. It's a heroic effort by the girls, in front of this audience with the support France has behind them.

One major reason why Sweden shook the reigning world and Olympic champions was Johanna Bundsen's great game in goal. Instead of staying for interviews, the goalkeeper star asked to collect herself a bit in the locker room after the painful defeat.

Bundsen never came back – but Sweden must now pick themselves up and come back.

Bronze match on Saturday

On Saturday morning, the bronze match awaits, and possibly the first Olympic medal ever for Swedish women's handball.

For Sweden – fourth in the World Championship 2017, Olympic Games 2021, and World Championship 2023 – it's hardly difficult to find fuel for that match.

We know how damn tough and annoying it is to come fourth, so damn close but not quite there, says Linn Blohm.

The opponent in the bronze match will be Denmark, who lost the other semi-final against Norway (21–25).

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

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