Sweden reaches the quarterfinals – chasing top placement

The women's handball team secured a quarterfinal spot in the Olympic Games in Paris. After the loss to Denmark last time, they defeated South Korea with 27–21. Nice that we avoid playing the last match with our backs against the wall, says team captain Jamina Roberts.

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Sweden reaches the quarterfinals – chasing top placement
Photo: Aaron Favila/AP/TT

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Sweden meets Slovenia, table-topper ahead of Thursday's matches, in the group stage finale on Saturday and is chasing the best possible placement ahead of the quarterfinals.

If we win tomorrow as well, we will have done everything we can to get a good placement in the group. We have a chance at first place if certain results go our way, says Roberts, whose Sweden stands on six points after three wins in four matches.

"Just need to sharpen up"

The Swedes took an early grip against South Korea, but wobbled in the middle of the second half when 20-14 suddenly turned into 20-18.

We had slacked off, so it was just a matter of sharpening up. It feels like we quite early on in the match feel that we've got this and then become a bit lazy and comfortable. We did what we had to and not much more, says Roberts.

Goalkeeper Evelina Eriksson made her Olympic Games debut with 11 saves and was 34 percent between the posts.

It was fun, really fun. It was like we thought beforehand, a slightly shaky match, we might get a bit bored in defense, they stand for a long time and play and come up with some weird finishes, says she.

Spectacular save

Eriksson made a spectacular open-play save in the second half when she got her foot up to ear height.

I'll have to look at it afterwards. A lot of technique is involved, of course, but you also have to go on feeling, says the 27-year-old who plays for Bukarest in everyday life.

Johanna Bundsen was almost completely rested, she came in and made two penalty saves in the second half.

Emma Lindqvist became top scorer with five full hits.

National team coach Tomas Axnér was primarily pleased with the Swedish defense. On the other hand, he thinks the offense could have been sharper:

They offer a lot of first-time opportunities that we normally don't get, where I think we could have been simpler and more direct.

If Sweden wins over Slovenia, the team will be at least second in the group and get an easier quarterfinal opponent from the other group.

We'll prepare ourselves to do everything to win that match. We still have a chance to win the group, says Axnér.

He can, however, imagine resting players in the group stage finale:

We're here with 14 players, I'm not afraid to use anyone in this squad. If we have the opportunity to rest key players, we'll do that.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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