In the Olympic Games semifinal in handball last summer, Sweden was only 14 seconds away from the final. Instead, France managed to equalize and then win in overtime.
But the fact that they pushed the reigning world champions and were close to beating them is something the handball women will take with them into tonight's match, which will be crucial for Sweden's chances of reaching the semifinals. Only a win against France in Hungarian Debrecen will do.
We're not a worse team than we were at the Olympic Games, even though we haven't performed in the European Championship. Maybe we can take comfort in being close when we last met, says team captain Jamina Roberts.
The loss to Hungary in the first group stage and the loss to Romania in the intermediate round have made it difficult to reach the semifinals. But above all, Sweden hasn't played well. To be frank, they played poorly offensively against Romania on Friday evening.
Self-critical
The key to turning the dull match into a win against France will be to go back to the basics.
To when we play good handball. And we do that when we're clear with each other, when we run in the transition game and don't do too complicated things, says assistant national team coach Johanna Wiberg.
She is self-critical about how they've played so far in the European Championship.
We came here with dreams, wanting to take the next step and win a medal. Then you look at what the next step is and what needs to change. Maybe we've forgotten, or neglected, what we're good at. I myself should maybe have pulled the handbrake to look at what we're good at, says Wiberg.
"She means a lot"
Nathalie Hagman believes the team shouldn't have deviated from their concept when the game didn't work.
You can do that when it works, then it goes more our way. Earlier, when it's become cramped, "basic" has worked and it should be able to do so here too. We should make it more simple and with more self-confidence, step forward and not back, says Hagman.
Besides going back to the basics of the national team's play, the psychological advisor Malin Tillman plays an important role in this extremely pressured situation. She is present in the group talks but is also available for individual conversations.
She helps us to help ourselves. She means a lot, says Roberts.
8/12: Sweden–France (20.30)
10/12: Sweden–Montenegro (20.30)
For Sweden to reach the semifinals, they must win both matches, while Hungary also wins their remaining matches against Romania and France.
If Sweden reaches the semifinals, they will be directly qualified for the World Championship in the Netherlands and Germany next year. The chance of direct qualification also exists if they finish third in the European Championship group and get to play a placement match for fifth and sixth place.
If the Netherlands reaches the semifinals, the fifth place in the European Championship will get a World Championship ticket and avoid qualifying in March next year.
The playoffs and the match for fifth and sixth place will be decided in Vienna at the end of next week.
