Norway, who won silver in the World Cup two years ago and European Championship gold last year, took control of the match in the first half and led 24–11 at halftime in the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. It was later also a big Norwegian victory with 13 goals, and a big loss for the Blue and Yellows.
Embarrassing. I think it's incredibly poorly done. I think we're neither able to defend nor attack. If we can't even pass the ball, you can't beat anyone, says Sweden's Linn Blohm to Viaplay and continues:
It's okay to lose, but you have to lose in a dignified way and I don't think we do that today.
Sweden, who lost 27-31 to Brazil in the opening round on Monday and thus only got two points to the intermediate round, will find it difficult to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after the big loss against Norway.
Sweden has slipped to fourth place in the table in the intermediate round, behind Norway and Brazil (both six points). Angola is third on four points.
On Friday, Sweden plays its second match in the intermediate round, against South Korea, and on Sunday, the group stage ends against Angola.
The two best teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals of the championship, which is played in Germany and the Netherlands.
