24–27 against Brazil means Sweden misses the quarterfinals, it's clear already before the last round of the intermediate round. A huge failure for the Blue-Yellow.
How could it happen?
It's something many of us are asking ourselves – not just us here in Oslo, says Jim Gottfridsson.
"Don't be cowards"
The 32-year-old playmaker came to the mixed zone with a black look and talked about handbrakes and bricks in the shoes of the Swedish players.
It can't be like that. Go out and enjoy. Damn – we're playing in the Swedish national team and are privileged. We're spoiled in Sweden with the results we've had over time, but then we can't run around here and be cowards.
It's always easy to play in a team when the wind is at your back, then you have to see how individuals are when it's against the wind. It's the first time in a long time we see it in the Swedish national team.
It was in an enormously weak first half that the Blue-Yellow fell behind, 9–14. Jim Gottfridsson was the one who primarily raised his voice during the halftime break.
Did it get wild?
Yes, I said what I thought and felt during halftime. But what happens in the locker room can stay there, it's our living room.
"Clear as damn"
How have you been affected by the injuries to several key players and a change of national team captain before the World Championship?
The injured players, it's clear as damn that they would have helped us. But now we're standing here with the team we have. I still think we're good enough to reach the quarterfinals.
We're standing here with a decisive match against Brazil, we score nine goals in the first half and he has 20 saves (in the match). We're throwing backhand passes… No, now you've got me going again, says "Gotte" and gets fired up about the Swedish World Championship performance.
In periods it's damn good, but then there are periods when it's just damn bad.
After being behind by as much as six goals early in the second half, Sweden crawled closer and were almost only one goal behind Brazil.
Yes, and what happens then? We run and bounce the ball on our own foot. When the hell did that happen? When Jesus wore shorts, no idea… No, I can't talk anymore, sorry, says Gottfridsson and walks further towards the locker room.
After two consecutive championship failures – in the Olympic Games last summer, Sweden was eliminated in the quarterfinals – the European Championship on home soil is waiting next year.
