SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Painful Swedish Defeat in the Olympic Semifinal

Can a loss hurt more than this? The Swedish women's handball team was so close to a historic Olympic Games final. But France turned it around and won after extra time. It feels empty, despite being full in here, says Jamina Roberts to Max.

» Published: August 08 2024

Painful Swedish Defeat in the Olympic Semifinal
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Jamina Roberts scored the semifinal's first goal and waved her clenched fist several times. It was as if she wanted to send a signal to France and the 27,000 spectators in Lille, that Sweden certainly didn't intend to give the reigning champions an easy match.

And what a match it became afterwards.

Johanna Bundsen – what is she made of? – continued her successful OS and stood out in the first half with one of the most sweaty performances that may have been seen at this level.

There was only one problem: Laura Glauser in France's goal played almost as well.

Sweden worked hard offensively from the start and when Jenny Carlson reduced the score to 3–4, it marked the end of an almost nine-minute-long blue-yellow goal drought.

Took hold of the grip

It was also the start of a minor goal explosion. Sweden poured on with four more goals in a row and took a firm grip, 7–4, on the gold favorite.

At halftime, the lead had shrunk to 12–10 after Bundsen had saved 52 percent of the French shots.

Spurred on by an incredibly loud crowd, the French continued to chase in the second half. But Sweden bit back – and even pulled away. When Jamina Roberts countered in 20–16, Blue-yellow led for the first time with four goals.

Only just over a quarter remained and good advice began to become expensive for France, this star-studded national team that had met Sweden twelve times in a row without losing before the semifinal.

With just over six minutes left, France was still even, and the tie stood until the end.

Led in the final seconds

Kristin Thorleifsdottir banged in 25–24 to Sweden with just over a minute left. With 14 seconds left, France equalized.

The nerve-wracking continued with overtime – and ahead of them, the Swedish women had the ten most important minutes of their handball careers.

Then everything went wrong.

Substitute goalkeeper Hatadou Sako grew to a giant when Sweden burned chance after chance. Already after the first of the two five-minute periods, France had taken a three-goal lead. In the end, the winning score was 31–28.

We had the chance to decide it in full time, says Jamina Roberts.

Sweden will have to try to recharge for Saturday's bronze match and a new chance to secure a historic OS medal.

That match on Saturday, we're going to win. I don't have time to be down and neither does anyone else, I'll make sure of that. We're going to win that match, says Jamina Roberts.

Then Denmark will provide the opposition.

Tags

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

More news

Modo won again – after a thriller against HV71

Modo won again – after a thriller against HV71

Kamga's success - victory and world's best performance of the year

Kamga's success - victory and world's best performance of the year

Malmö to Cup Final after Extra Time Drama

Malmö to Cup Final after Extra Time Drama

Isak the hero when Newcastle won the league cup final

Isak the hero when Newcastle won the league cup final

Malmö to Cup Final after Extra Time Drama

Malmö to Cup Final after Extra Time Drama

After the drama – the giant talent decided for DIF

After the drama – the giant talent decided for DIF

Great Disappointment in Luleå: "It Sucks"

Great Disappointment in Luleå: "It Sucks"

Historic Goal Scorer: "It's Incredibly Fun"

Historic Goal Scorer: "It's Incredibly Fun"

Unexpected Match Hero in the London Derby

Unexpected Match Hero in the London Derby

Frölunda takes historic gold: "It's magical"

Frölunda takes historic gold: "It's magical"

Swedish success: Victory in the mixed relay

Swedish success: Victory in the mixed relay

Häcken reaches cup final: "Maximum luck"

Häcken reaches cup final: "Maximum luck"

Sweden second in single mixed relay: "A revenge"

Sweden second in single mixed relay: "A revenge"

Footballer Doris Fitschen has died

Footballer Doris Fitschen has died

The Surprise Winner: "I've been fumbling a bit in the dark"

The Surprise Winner: "I've been fumbling a bit in the dark"

Hamilton frustrated: "Worse than I thought"

Hamilton frustrated: "Worse than I thought"

Got a club around the neck – leaves reassuring message

Got a club around the neck – leaves reassuring message

Ancelotti after the win: "Never again"

Ancelotti after the win: "Never again"

Norris wins chaotic and wet F1 premiere

Norris wins chaotic and wet F1 premiere

Nylander's cheeky solo goal – Ullmark helpless

Nylander's cheeky solo goal – Ullmark helpless

Rune Ready for the Final: "Very Proud"

Rune Ready for the Final: "Very Proud"

Villa Lidköping Swedish Champions – Crushed Edsbyn

Villa Lidköping Swedish Champions – Crushed Edsbyn

Malmö through to quarterfinal – eliminated rival

Malmö through to quarterfinal – eliminated rival

The World Cup Final Was Blown Away: "Really Stupid"

The World Cup Final Was Blown Away: "Really Stupid"

Took the first title – gets to celebrate until 9 pm

Took the first title – gets to celebrate until 9 pm

Sizzling Elanga with two goals in four minutes

Sizzling Elanga with two goals in four minutes

Debacle in the Final Shoot for Samuelsson

Debacle in the Final Shoot for Samuelsson

Sweden took their second consecutive win against Norway

Sweden took their second consecutive win against Norway

Poromaa second in Holmenkollen: "Damn pleased"

Poromaa second in Holmenkollen: "Damn pleased"

Tough day for the Öberg sisters – Magnusson flawless

Tough day for the Öberg sisters – Magnusson flawless

Västerås broke Villa-Lidköping's winning streak – won the National Championship final

Västerås broke Villa-Lidköping's winning streak – won the National Championship final

Möregårdh eliminated in China – the world number two was too tough

Möregårdh eliminated in China – the world number two was too tough

Andersson Disqualified: "I'm Damned"

Andersson Disqualified: "I'm Damned"

Håkanson returns to Linköping

Håkanson returns to Linköping

New success for Stina Nilsson: "A fantastic day"

New success for Stina Nilsson: "A fantastic day"

Kenyan athlete banned for doping – could give Almgren the win

Kenyan athlete banned for doping – could give Almgren the win

Sweden started the Curling World Championship with double wins

Sweden started the Curling World Championship with double wins

Double McLaren at the top – the champion third

Double McLaren at the top – the champion third

Swedish Team Captain Out Indefinitely

Swedish Team Captain Out Indefinitely

Teenager knocks out world number two

Teenager knocks out world number two