During the European Handball Championship in Malmö Arena, it is Magdeburg star Felix Claar, 29, who has started as the centre back and playmaker for Blågult.
For a long time, it was Jim Gottfridsson who had that role, but he said early on during the championship that he fully accepts his new role.
"I want to be the first fiddle. I'm happy to take that responsibility. I want to lead the attack," says Claar himself.
“Incredibly dangerous”
Gottfridsson pays tribute to his national teammate. The 33-year-old sees himself as a classic playmaker – Claar is a modern hybrid variant.
"He obviously thinks about his teammates, but he is so incredibly dangerous at scoring goals himself. That makes him unique. And then his defensive play," says Gottfridsson and continues:
"Many people only look at the attacking play when assessing players, but they forget what an incredible job he does at the back. If he's not the best (in the world), I still hold him in extremely high regard."
Right back Albin Lagergren is also a teammate with Claar in the German club Magdeburg, which won the Champions League in the spring of 2025.
"He is definitely top three in the world, I would say. He is perhaps the best in the world when you combine both attack and defense. He is a fantastic player," says Lagergren.
National captain Michael Apelgren has given Felix Claar free rein in the attack.
"We have felt it's very important that he feels free and that you don't fuss too much. That's when he feels at his best."
Apelgren places Claar on the same shelf as Danish right-back Mathias Gidsel, who was named the world's best player in 2023 and 2024.
Both make handball look easy.
“Almost provocative”
"It's almost provocative. But the best in the world now, like Claar and Gidsel, have some kind of feeling for distance (to the opponent). A timing and ability to move the body away and finish that is better than many others," says Michael Apelgren.
Claar is humbled when he hears all the great reviews.
"When you hear it from several people, it's clear that it's fun, but I don't see myself as the best in the world. I absolutely don't. But I'm absolutely at the top of the world - I've had a great season so far and hope to continue like that," he says.
Sweden has four points and will face Iceland in the intermediate round in Malmö Arena on Sunday.
Sweden's matches in the intermediate round of the European Handball Championship in Malmö Arena:
Friday: Slovenia 35–31.
Sunday: Iceland (6:00 p.m.).
Tuesday: Hungary (8:30 p.m.).
Wednesday: Switzerland (8:30 p.m.).
Group standings: 1) Sweden 4 points (+12 goal difference), 2) Iceland 2 points (0), 3) Slovenia 2 points (-1), 4) Croatia 2 points (-7), 5) Hungary 1 point (-1), 6) Switzerland 1 point (-3).
The top two will advance to the semifinals in Herning, Denmark (January 30). The bronze medal match and final (February 1) will also be played in Herning.
