During the first half of Wednesday's European Handball Championship match against Croatia, the handball team was forced to change the ball several times.
Several teammates blame goalkeeper Mikael "Äpplet" Appelgren. The ball becomes slippery when the 36-year-old saves shots because Appelgren sweats so much.
“It has been absolutely terrible”
"At the pre-camp we've been to, it's been absolutely terrible. If he saves the ball, just throw it away. It's his fault," says right back Sebastian Karlsson.
The goalkeeper takes the accusations in stride.
"I'm not joking about it. For some reason, I'm starting to sweat quite a lot," says Mikael Appelgren.
A slippery ball causes problems when the Swedish team wants to get the game going quickly after a save. Teammate Karlsson says that the goalkeeper should maybe start using antiperspirant.
"Maybe I'll try it. Maybe it can help our counterattack," says "Äpplet," laughing.
It is mainly on forearm saves that the ball becomes slippery. At the same time, the goalkeeper points out different conditions compared to the outfield players.
"The outfielders are wearing shorts and T-shirts. We have a soft suit. We're practically running around in pajamas, so it's clear it's getting warmer."
Against Croatia there were over 10,000 spectators at Malmö Arena.
"It gets a little warmer when there are 10,000 people sitting there cheering us on. The adrenaline also plays a role, but generally I sweat a lot," says Appelgren.
At the same time, teammate Sebastian Karlsson naturally doesn't dismiss the goalkeeper's saves.
Has been the first choice
"That ball can be changed as many times as he wants as long as he saves."
Appelgren has been the starting goalkeeper in all three of Sweden's European Championship matches so far, but against Croatia, fellow goalkeeper Andreas Palicka, 39, took over in the second half and played well.
"It's a long tournament and we are a goalkeeper pair. In general, our thinking is that we should have a broad distribution of playing time. We have fantastically talented players in all positions and it's very good when you play a long championship," says Mikael Appelgren.
Sweden meets Slovenia in Malmö Arena tonight with the return match at 8:30 p.m. Both teams have a maximum of two points when the intermediate round of the European Championship now gets underway.
Sweden's matches in the intermediate round of the European Handball Championship in Malmö Arena:
Tonight: Slovenia (8:30 p.m.).
Sunday: Iceland (6:00 p.m.).
Tuesday: Hungary (8:30 p.m.).
Wednesday: Switzerland (8:30 p.m.).
The standings in Sweden's group: 1) Sweden 2 points (+8 in goal difference), 2) Slovenia 2 points (+3), 3) Iceland 2 points (+1), 4) Hungary 0 points (–1), 5) Switzerland 0 points (–3), 6) Croatia 0 points (–8).
The top two will advance to the semifinals in Herning, Denmark, on January 30. The bronze medal match and final will also be played in Herning on February 1.
