Sweden defeated Croatia 33–25 in front of just over 10,000 spectators and will take the maximum two points into the intermediate round of the European Championship.
In the second half, Andreas Palicka came on and delivered again. The team captain finished with a 45 percent save rate, saving 9 of 20 Croatian shots. He was also credited with two goals.
Just over a month ago, the 39-year-old didn't even know if he would win his 14th career championship.
“It’s been hell”
"Autumn has been hell," he says and continues:
"If you have been part of this national team since 2007 and have been given the honor of wearing the team captain's armband - and then you get injured on September 29, making it highly uncertain whether you will be able to take part in a home European Championship - that brings a lot of emotions."
In early December, he made his comeback after an elbow injury when his Norwegian club Kolstad faced Champions League finalist Füchse Berlin.
"I am incredibly happy and grateful to be standing here today."
Palicka prefers not to talk about himself. Instead, he pays tribute to Mikael "Äpplet" Appelgren, 36, with whom he shared the goalkeeping duties in several championships up to and including Euro 2020 in Malmö. "Äpplet" has started all three of Sweden's matches so far, but Palicka has had to come on against both the Netherlands and Georgia, winning both.
"You can't forget that he was out for five years with a serious injury too. There are probably few people as happy as I am to see him back, given our history together, and performing at this level."
Appelgren suffered two serious injuries after Euro 2020 and was out of action for almost two years in total. He was mostly the third goalkeeper during the 2023 World Cup and during the 2024 Paris Olympics the 36-year-old was a reserve outside the squad.
"Heroic effort"
Now Palicka and Appelgren are once again Sweden's goalkeeping duo. Fabian Norsten has been the third goalkeeper, sitting in the stands in Malmö.
"We know each other inside and out and it's just great fun. For Swedish handball, for me personally, of course, but mainly for 'Äpplet'."
Sweden faces Slovenia on Friday when the intermediate round of the European Championship in Malmö Arena starts.
Sweden's matches in the intermediate round of the European Handball Championship in Malmö Arena:
Friday: 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).
Semifinals
Next Friday: Possible semi-final (Herning).
Next Sunday: Possible bronze match/final (Herning).
