SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Palicka: "I'm not getting into that discussion"

They are the reigning Olympic and European champions. But in the Olympic Games in Paris, France's handball heroes have had a disastrous start with two major defeats. Their form curve will probably come as an explosion, says Sweden's team captain Andreas Palicka.

» Published: 30 July 2024

Palicka: "I'm not getting into that discussion"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

The Swedish national team met the media in the Olympic Village on the morning after the fine 29–26 win against Spain.

The situation in the second group was one of the topics of discussion.

France suffered a first defeat in the premiere when Denmark won with eight goals in a replay of the European Championship final earlier this year. The next blow came on Monday evening against Norway, which defeated "Les Bleus" with five goals.

After two matches, the big home favorite is on zero points.

I am completely convinced that France will get going, we all know their capacity, says Andreas Palicka, who is a club teammate with several of the Frenchmen in Paris Saint-Germain.

Does not want to speculate

France will in any case have a hard time reaching a top position in their group. And thereby, the risk increases that Sweden will face the French stars already in a quarterfinal – if Sweden finishes first or second in their group.

But it is a hypothetical discussion that Palicka completely wants to avoid.

I don't get into that discussion for five kronor, you should know.

Dream opponent or nightmare opponent – does it even exist nowadays? I don't actually know. It's about doing as well as you can and then you can't influence what everyone else does. We can come last in the group, we can also come first. That's our reality, says the 38-year-old ahead of Wednesday's meeting with Slovenia.

"Only tough matches"

The Slovenians were defeated by Sweden in the European Championship in January, but unlike then, Barcelona star Blaz Janc is now part of the team. Just like Sweden, Slovenia has two points, after following up the initial loss to Spain by defeating Croatia.

On paper, this is probably one of the toughest Olympic tournaments that have been played, it's only tough matches. Some results that have occurred now might not have been predicted, but it only shows the strength of all the teams that are here, says Palicka.

A few hours after Sweden's afternoon match against Slovenia, France gets the chance to take their first Olympic points in the meeting with Egypt.

Group A: Germany, 4 points, Sweden, Spain, Slovenia, and Croatia, all 2 points, Japan, 0 points.

Wednesday's matches: Croatia-Germany (11.00), Spain-Japan (14.00), Slovenia-Sweden (16.00).

Group B: Denmark and Norway, 4 points, Hungary and Egypt, 2 points, France and Argentina, 0 points.

Wednesday's matches: Norway-Hungary (9.00), France-Egypt (19.00), Denmark-Argentina (21.00).

The four best teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, which will be decided in Lille next week. The winners of each group will face the fourth-placed team in the other group, while the second-placed teams will meet the third-placed teams.

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

More news

AIK's success drag: "Wrong" goalkeeper in the derby
2 MIN READ

AIK's success drag: "Wrong" goalkeeper in the derby

Alexander Isak makes history – goal in eighth consecutive match
2 MIN READ

Alexander Isak makes history – goal in eighth consecutive match

Linn Svahn skips this weekend's World Cup competitions
1 MIN READ

Linn Svahn skips this weekend's World Cup competitions

Uefa penalizes Djurgården – short stand to be closed
1 MIN READ

Uefa penalizes Djurgården – short stand to be closed

Finndell back in Djurgården: "Fantastic"
1 MIN READ

Finndell back in Djurgården: "Fantastic"

Full Score Shooting Gave the "New" Norwegian the Victory
2 MIN READ

Full Score Shooting Gave the "New" Norwegian the Victory

Has tested positive for doping – misses the World Championship
1 MIN READ

Has tested positive for doping – misses the World Championship

Banned player participated in training – reported
1 MIN READ

Banned player participated in training – reported

Roller Skiing Competition Kicks Off Next Biathlon Season
1 MIN READ

Roller Skiing Competition Kicks Off Next Biathlon Season

They meet Sweden in the year's first home match
1 MIN READ

They meet Sweden in the year's first home match

Öberg's luxury problem: "Double focus"
2 MIN READ

Öberg's luxury problem: "Double focus"

Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"
1 MIN READ

Johaug on Doping: "Was a Lesson for Me"

Djokovic wrote Grand Slam history: "Happy"
1 MIN READ

Djokovic wrote Grand Slam history: "Happy"

Tiger Woods crashed heavily – in front of tennis icon
2 MIN READ

Tiger Woods crashed heavily – in front of tennis icon

SHL Profile Out of Play: "Have Had Problems"
1 MIN READ

SHL Profile Out of Play: "Have Had Problems"

Florida wins tight match – Swede scores goal
1 MIN READ

Florida wins tight match – Swede scores goal

So the gap after the star will be filled: "Dream situation"
3 MIN READ

So the gap after the star will be filled: "Dream situation"

Starfall opens the door for the champion in Melbourne
2 MIN READ

Starfall opens the door for the champion in Melbourne

Forests new success – drew against Liverpool
2 MIN READ

Forests new success – drew against Liverpool

Dream start for Graham Potter in the Premier League
2 MIN READ

Dream start for Graham Potter in the Premier League