Since his championship debut at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Jim Gottfridsson has been a constant in the Swedish national handball team. This year's European Championship - where Sweden plays on home soil in Malmö Arena - is the team's 13th consecutive championship.
Yet, all is not business as usual for the veteran.
“Try to enjoy”
"This is actually the first championship where I am not the first guy in the national team and I take that very well. I accept the role and somewhere I have tried to explain to myself that now I will take the opportunity to try to enjoy it, even though I am fully focused," says Gottfridsson the day after the victory in the tournament opener against the Netherlands (36–31).
He has shared the role of center back with Magdeburg star Felix Claar, 29, in recent championships, but it is usually Gottfridsson who has been the first choice and it has been his performances that have been decisive for Sweden to reach the final.
In 2018, it was European Championship silver; in 2021, World Championship silver; and in 2022, European Championship gold.
The change of guard might already have happened at last year's World Cup, but Claar missed the tournament due to a heel injury. Sweden finished in a 14th-place finish in national team captain Michael Apelgren's first championship.
“From clarity to clarity”
In Saturday's tournament opener, Claar was the best on the field with eight goals in nine shots in just over 35 minutes on the field.
"He goes from strength to strength," says Gottfridsson, with a twinkle in his eye, about Claar's efforts.
Gottfridsson had to settle for twelve minutes of play and three goals against the Netherlands.
If I need ten minutes, I'll play ten minutes. I don't apologize for why I'm here. I also know that I can contribute. If I get a big role in a game, I'll take it. I love being in crucial situations.
On Monday, Georgia awaits Sweden in Malmö Arena.
The Men's European Handball Championship will be held from January 15 to February 1. The championship will be shared between Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Blågult will play their first group game and a possible intermediate round in Malmö Arena.
Sweden's matches in Group E:
17/1: Netherlands 36–31.
19/1: Georgia (8:30 p.m.).
21/1: Croatia (8:30 p.m.).
The top two in the group advance to the intermediate round and take points from head-to-head matches. Georgia lost its first match against Croatia 29–32.
In the intermediate round, two opponents from Group D (consisting of Slovenia, Faroe Islands, Switzerland and Montenegro) and two opponents from Group F (Iceland, Hungary, Poland, Italy) await.
The second intermediate round will be decided in Herning, Denmark, where the semifinals and medal matches will also be played.
