In March, it became clear that Jamina Roberts and Nathalie Hagman would end their careers with the national handball team.
Decisions that have developed over time - but for both Roberts and Hagman it is about ending their national team careers themselves.
"I've been asked this question for a long time. In the beginning, it was really just that you could turn away and just say, 'No, it's not even worth talking about.' Then of course it might feel different when you stand there on Sunday, but from the time the decision was made and to this day it feels right and good," says Roberts.
"It's something I've been thinking about and working on for a while, but then it's always difficult to make a decision. But right now, my gut feeling tells me that it feels right – but it's definitely a difficult decision," says Nathalie Hagman.
Most international caps of all time
Jamina Roberts first wore the national team jersey in 2010 - and has since played 272 senior international matches and scored 731 goals.
When she looks back on her national team career, the 2023 World Cup at home (Sweden finished fourth) and the 2021 Olympics (fourth) are the strongest memories:
"Even though it was during the coronavirus pandemic, we kind of had a fresh start where we as a team had a really good time together for a long time."
The worst memory for both, however, is the 2020 European Championship in Denmark (last in the intermediate round) during the coronavirus pandemic:
"It wasn't fun. There were no people in the stands and very strict rules. It was just really bad and boring," says Hagman.
“Hard work pays off”
The last championship for Roberts and Hagman was the 2025 World Championships in the Netherlands and Germany.
Sweden finished in 15th place - which is the worst position in a championship for the national handball team.
Ahead of Euro 2026, the national team is undergoing a generational change - and it takes hard work to reach the top.
"It's necessary to do a proper analysis of the last championship, about what went wrong. There was a lot - and then work on it," says Roberts.
"But it's clear that hard work usually pays off in the end. I still think that those who are involved now seem very hungry and curious. I think you can go far with that," says Hagman.
Facts: Jamina Roberts
Age: 35 years.
Position: Left back.
Current club: Ikast, Denmark.
Senior national team debut: 2010.
Senior internationals: 272.
Senior national team goals: 731.
Merits: European Championship silver 2010, European Championship bronze 2014, player of the year 2022 and 2023.
Age: 34 years.
Position: Right wing.
Current club: Györ, Hungary.
Senior national team debut: 2009.
Senior internationals: 260.
Senior national team goals: 1,008.
Merits: European Championship silver 2010, European Championship bronze 2014, player of the year 2016, All star team in the 2016 Olympics, World Cup 2017 and World Cup 2023.
