New major performance by Bundsen – despite lens drama

Johanna Bundsen lost a contact lens on her way to the Olympic Games quarterfinal against Hungary. The great game in goal continued anyway. I feel very good form, says the goalkeeper.

» Updated: September 22 2024

» Published: August 06 2024

New major performance by Bundsen – despite lens drama
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Share this article

Captain Jamina Roberts thinks that Johanna Bundsen is the Olympic Games' best goalkeeper.

National team captain Tomas Axnér says that he has never seen the 33-year-old handball goalkeeper better.

Against Hungary, Johanna Bundsen showed that she can shine between the posts even when her vision isn't entirely perfect. Tyra Axnér accidentally poked Bundsen in the eye when the teams ran onto the pitch, and one of the goalkeeper's lenses fell out.

I said "screw it and let's go", says Bundsen, who didn't have a spare lens with her at the impressive quarterfinal arena in Lille.

And Bundsen went for it.

22 saves

When the extra time was over, and Sweden stood as winners with 36–32 after a nail-biter, she had been credited with 22 saves in the match.

I'm absolutely satisfied with my level so far. I feel very good physically and mentally. My body feels good, my head feels good, says Bundsen.

But it was incredibly close that Sweden's Olympic Games would end in the quarterfinals against the Hungarians. When 15 seconds remained, Sweden got a final attack to take the match to extra time.

Nina Koppang scored 29–29 in the final seconds, and then Johanna Bundsen started the extra time by saving for almost eight minutes.

The semifinal spot was secured, and the Swedish team could finally celebrate wildly in a big victory cluster.

We continue to believe in it and go for it. When Koppang scores the last goal, when there are only a few seconds left of regular time, I think we get a lot of energy into the extra time. I think it shows there, we get a good flow.

France next

And even though Bundsen downplayed the lens drama – petty compared to the drama of the match itself – it was a new experience to play with impaired vision in one eye.

The vision isn't super bad, I can see without lenses. But I have lenses 24/7 all the time, so it becomes a bit unusual, of course. But I saw very well with my right eye, she says with a laugh.

Now, a semifinal awaits on Thursday evening, in front of 27,000 spectators, most of whom will be rooting for the opponents.

Another semifinal against France. It's going to be tough to play against France in this arena, it's going to be high pressure. We thought it was high pressure already today.

Tags

Author

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

More news

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk
1 MIN READ

Hammarby Transfers Jusef Erabi to Genk

Swedish Talent Jonah Kusi-Asare Joins Fulham on Loan from Bayern München
1 MIN READ

Swedish Talent Jonah Kusi-Asare Joins Fulham on Loan from Bayern München

Alex Norén Named Vice-Captain for Europe's Ryder Cup Team
2 MIN READ

Alex Norén Named Vice-Captain for Europe's Ryder Cup Team

Vasaloppet Added to Swedish Cultural Canon as Sports Contribution
2 MIN READ

Vasaloppet Added to Swedish Cultural Canon as Sports Contribution

Manchester City Signs Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG
3 MIN READ

Manchester City Signs Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG

Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting Skips Boxing World Championship Amid Gender Testing
1 MIN READ

Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting Skips Boxing World Championship Amid Gender Testing

Alexander Isak Joins Sweden Training After Record Liverpool Transfer
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Joins Sweden Training After Record Liverpool Transfer

Newcastle Sells Alexander Isak to Liverpool in Record Transfer
2 MIN READ

Newcastle Sells Alexander Isak to Liverpool in Record Transfer

Sweden's Basketball Hopes Rest on British Upset in European Championship
2 MIN READ

Sweden's Basketball Hopes Rest on British Upset in European Championship

Alexander Isak Joins Liverpool: Aiming to Make History
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Joins Liverpool: Aiming to Make History

Alexander Isak Becomes Third Most Expensive Transfer in Football History
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Becomes Third Most Expensive Transfer in Football History

Sinner Defeats Bublik to Reach US Open Quarterfinals
1 MIN READ

Sinner Defeats Bublik to Reach US Open Quarterfinals

Alexander Isak Returns to Sweden After Record Liverpool Deal
1 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Returns to Sweden After Record Liverpool Deal

Alexander Isak Joins Liverpool in Record Premier League Transfer
3 MIN READ

Alexander Isak Joins Liverpool in Record Premier League Transfer

Naomi Osaka Defeats Coco Gauff to Reach US Open Quarterfinals
1 MIN READ

Naomi Osaka Defeats Coco Gauff to Reach US Open Quarterfinals

Djurgarden's Isak Alemayehu Joins Queens Park Rangers
1 MIN READ

Djurgarden's Isak Alemayehu Joins Queens Park Rangers

Ekdal Praises Isak's Move to Liverpool as World-Class
3 MIN READ

Ekdal Praises Isak's Move to Liverpool as World-Class

Swedish Record Holder Lovisa Lindh Retires from Athletics
1 MIN READ

Swedish Record Holder Lovisa Lindh Retires from Athletics

Jacob Josefson Returns to SHL with Djurgården After Concussion Recovery
1 MIN READ

Jacob Josefson Returns to SHL with Djurgården After Concussion Recovery

Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Appeals Gender Test Requirement
2 MIN READ

Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Appeals Gender Test Requirement