If Sweden is to go far in the Handball World Cup that starts this week, Johanna Bundsen and Filippa Idéhn must play big.
Unlike many other championships, however, there is no third goalkeeper in the squad – instead, Evelina Eriksson is a standby at a distance.
The solution came, among other things, after demands from Filippa Idéhn, who gave a clear message that she did not want to go to Germany as the third goalkeeper.
"I've been clear about that from the beginning, because then he can call someone else. I can imagine being the third goalkeeper at home, but I don't want to sit in the stands in Germany for three weeks," she told Aftonbladet earlier this fall.
“Stressful situation”
After a dialogue between Tomas Axnér and the goalkeepers, only two were selected.
"It's a pretty stressful situation to be in when you're sitting in the stands at the games. You don't get to participate 100 percent," says Axnér.
If you've never done it before and are quite young, it's still an experience. But it's quite tiring and Evelina will be prepared if she comes.
The decision made it easy for Filippa Idéhn to say yes. She is competing in her first championship since being picked for Euro 2020 and has a two-year-old son who she didn't want to leave for several weeks just to sit in the stands.
"It's been many years since I was a third goalkeeper. But it's actually very difficult. You're part of the group, but still not," she says.
It's going to be pretty tough.
Reserve called up
In addition to Evelina Eriksson, three more players have been ordered to stay ready remotely. One of them, Vilma Matthijs Holmberg, was allowed to jump in during the pre-camp in Halmstad and will now also be allowed to come to the World Cup to cover for Anna Lagerquist, who has a foot injury.
However, Jenny Carlson, who has also had a foot injury, is considered ready to play again now.
"Jenny has come so far that she is ready for match play and Anna is getting closer every day and we believe and hope that she will be ready for play next week. Until then, Vilma will be part of the squad," says Tomas Axnér to the association's website.
Sweden will face the Czech Republic in the World Cup opener in Stuttgart on Thursday.
