What: Sweden–Iceland, second match in the intermediate round of the European Handball Championship.
Where: Malmö Arena.
When: Sunday at 6:00 PM.
Sweden's European Championship so far: Three straight wins in the first group stage were followed by a fourth Swedish win when the intermediate round got underway on Friday. Sweden managed to fight back from a deficit against Slovenia and win by four goals (35–31). This makes Blågult the only team in the intermediate round in Malmö that is on the maximum four points.
Group standings: 1) Sweden 4 points (+12 in 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).
What's at stake: The top two advance to the semifinals in Herning, Denmark (January 30), where the bronze medal match and final (February 1) will also be played. The second group in the intermediate round in Herning consists of Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, Norway and Portugal.
Previous meetings: Sweden and Iceland met in two internationals a year ago (one win, one draw), but the last competitive match between the nations was in the intermediate round of the World Cup in Gothenburg 2023. Then Blågult won 35–30.
This is how the European Championship continues: After the Iceland match, Sweden will face Hungary on Tuesday and then the intermediate round will end on Wednesday against Switzerland.
Sweden's squad:
Goalkeepers: Andreas Palicka, Mikael Appelgren, Fabian Norsten.
Left wing: Hampus Wanne, Felix Montebovi.
Left back: Max Darj, Oscar Bergendahl, Felix Möller.
Right wing: Daniel Pettersson, Sebastian Karlsson.
Pivots (line players): Jonathan Carlsbogård, Eric Johansson, Nikola Roganovic.
Centre backs: Felix Claar, Jim Gottfridsson, Axel Månsson.
Right backs: Albin Lagergren, Lukas Sandell.
Head coach: Michael Apelgren.
