The matches are coming thick and fast in the World Championship handball, where Sweden is now shifting focus from the group stage to the intermediate round.
Three points and a second place have the blue and yellow men's national team in the new table after a draw (29–29) against Spain.
It would have been nice to start with a full pot, but that's not the case now, and then you have to work from those conditions, says Sebastian Karlsson.
"Exciting generation"
The first test of three will be an important match against top-ranked Portugal – which went clean in the group stage and shocked Norway.
They have a very exciting generation on the go with the Costa brothers (Francisco and Martim) and Salvador Salvador. But at the same time as you have youthful enthusiasm, there may be some weaknesses in the same. So there are keys to find, and I definitely think we'll make a good match.
One of the aforementioned Costa brothers, Martim, is according to many the country's big star. 19 goals have the 22-year-old backcourt player made so far.
He's super skilled and a hell of a goal scorer. Then they have skilled players everywhere who can score goals and become match winners. So it's about us having a good overall plan for us as a team to get it together.
After Portugal, Brazil is waiting, which is a tricky opponent.
They play a bit more "high chaparral" handball. I have a Brazilian teammate in the club team, and things happen left and right when he has the ball. So you have to be on top of everything, says Karlsson, who recently signed with the big club Paris SG.
"Free and relaxed"
In the last match of the intermediate round, Norway is waiting, which has been the tournament's big flop so far with zero points to take to the intermediate round.
But despite the fact that they may have nothing to play for when meeting Sweden, Karlsson raises a warning finger.
Then they can play more freely and relaxed, with a lot of individual skill. So it's not a match you can take for granted in any way, says Karlsson, who turns 30 today.
They sang for me in the gym here. And the day has been good, even though I haven't gotten much sleep after yesterday.
Sweden's upcoming matches:
Wednesday, January 22, 18.00: Portugal.
Friday, January 24, 18.00: Brazil.
Sunday, January 26, 20.30: Norway.
Standings in the intermediate round, group 3: Portugal, 4 points, Sweden, 3 points, Spain, 3 points, Brazil, 2 points, Norway 0 points, Chile 0 points.
The two top teams in the intermediate round's total of four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be played on January 29. Sweden's potential opponents there may include gold favorite Denmark and powerhouse Germany.
