New Power Quartet – but Swedish Men Out of the Olympic Games

Still another nerve-wracking quarterfinal, but this time without a happy blue-yellow ending. The Swedish handball men have finished playing in the Olympic Games after 31–32 against gold favorite Denmark. One of the toughest defeats one has suffered in one's career, says goalkeeper Andreas Palicka to Max.

» Updated: September 09 2024

» Published: August 07 2024

New Power Quartet – but Swedish Men Out of the Olympic Games
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Denmark advances to the OS semifinal – for Sweden, the tournament is over.

In the end, it's incredibly small margins that decide. It hurts, says Andreas Palicka.

Oscar Bergendahl had the opportunity to equalize in the final stage, but substitute goalkeeper Emil Nielsen saved. The question is whether Sweden wouldn't have had a penalty when Magnus Landin defended himself in the situation while having both feet inside the goal area.

I don't have much to say about it. It is what it is, says Palicka about the missed penalty.

Unstable group play

After an unstable group play in Paris, Sweden knew that the team's best OS performance would be required to shake off giant Denmark in Lille.

It didn't start well, and national team captain Glenn Solberg took a timeout for Sweden to get better control over the Danish offense.

Denmark had taken the lead to 11–7 in just over 18 minutes, Sweden was in a situation where it was necessary to stop the bleeding.

The match got a scene change. The Danish nine-meter stars Mathias Gidsel and Simon Pytlick increasingly got stuck in the Swedish defense block.

In the Blue and Yellow, Felix Claar was back after missing the last two matches due to health problems. Claar's entry sharpened the offense, and the East Goth shot five goals himself before the break.

Bergendahl missed the opportunity

Then the score was 16–16, and the match was wide open before the second half.

It continued to be until the end.

The excellent Pytlick scored 30–28 – his ninth goal – with less than seven minutes left and ensured that Denmark led by two goals for the first time in a long time.

Sweden chased frantically in the final minutes. Mikkel Hansen, the star veteran, missed a penalty that could have given Denmark a two-goal lead again with just 54 seconds left.

He hit the crossbar, Sweden got an equalizing opportunity. Oscar Bergendahl's shot with just over 15 seconds left was saved by Emil Nielsen.

Then Denmark could hold on.

Never won OS gold

Before the OS tournament, Denmark and France were the big gold favorites, with Sweden as the top outsider.

France was eliminated by Germany in an extension drama earlier on Wednesday afternoon.

And now the Swedes had the chance to eliminate Denmark, the only team that went undefeated through the group play in Paris.

But what could have become a potential gold opportunity became instead a blue and yellow farewell to the OS.

And Sweden will have to wait four years to try to take that OS gold that previous national team generations have been and nosed on in four finals, without reaching all the way.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Pelle Larsson Shines with Personal
1 MIN READ

Pelle Larsson Shines with Personal Best as Miami Ends Boston's Streak

Swedish Golf Faces Decision on
4 MIN READ

Swedish Golf Faces Decision on Club Membership Limits

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with
1 MIN READ

Ovechkin Nears Gretzky's Record with Goal Against Carolina

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos
1 MIN READ

Mourinho's Nose Pinch Sparks Chaos in Istanbul Derby

Isak Scores 20th Goal as
1 MIN READ

Isak Scores 20th Goal as Tonali's Stunner Seals Newcastle Win

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Helsingborg Makes History as First Newcomer in SM Semifinals Since 1999

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Levels Semifinal in Tense 7-3 Win Over Södertälje

Jörgen Jönsson Steps Down as
1 MIN READ

Jörgen Jönsson Steps Down as Växjö Coach After Three Seasons

Färjestad's David Tomasek Heads to
2 MIN READ

Färjestad's David Tomasek Heads to NHL After Stellar SHL Season

Swedish Athletes Honored by King,
1 MIN READ

Swedish Athletes Honored by King, Duplantis Absent for Training

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from
2 MIN READ

La Liga Blocks Barcelona from Registering Dani Olmo

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up
2 MIN READ

Cornelia Kapocs' National Team Call-Up Goes Viral with Heartwarming Video

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend
2 MIN READ

Swedish Riders Aim to Defend Titles at Basel Equestrian Finals

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round
1 MIN READ

Möregårdh Cruises to Second Round in WTT Champions Tournament

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three
1 MIN READ

Karlskoga's Måns Krämer Suspended Three Games for Head Tackle

Jörgen Persson Takes on New
1 MIN READ

Jörgen Persson Takes on New Role as Saudi Arabia's Table Tennis Coach

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal
1 MIN READ

Dani Alves Acquittal Faces Appeal by Spanish Prosecutors

Ida Dahl Opens Up About
1 MIN READ

Ida Dahl Opens Up About Her Struggles After Skiing Success

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in
1 MIN READ

Ancelotti Denies Fraud Charges in Madrid Court Over Tax Allegations

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Loses UEFA Influence as Norway Gains Ground

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch
2 MIN READ

Messi's Bodyguard Barred from Pitch Access at Inter Miami Matches

Grand Slam Track Launches with
2 MIN READ

Grand Slam Track Launches with 130 Million Kronor Prize Pool

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty After Speedway Crash

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three Goals Shy of Gretzky's Record

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over
3 MIN READ

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over Silence on Canada-US Tensions

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey