Anna Lagerquist's World Handball Championship Ends Early Due to New Foot Injury

Anna Lagerquist's hopes for a successful return at the 2025 World Handball Championship were dashed after a new foot injury cut her tournament short. Having missed the first two matches due to injury, Lagerquist managed only 22 minutes in her comeback game against Brazil, where Sweden held a 12-9 lead. Unfortunately, she was forced out of the match and subsequent MRI scans confirmed that her injury would prevent her further participation in the tournament.

Lagerquist expressed deep disappointment and frustration, stating on the national team's website, "I have really done everything I could to come back and was looking forward to it, so it felt incredibly heavy to have to leave with a new injury after such a short time on the field. It is both sad and frustrating that I cannot help the team more in the important matches we have in the coming days." This setback follows her absence from the previous two world championships due to a serious knee injury.

Sweden's coach Tomas Axnér highlighted the significance of losing a world-class player, acknowledging Lagerquist's hard work on the road to recovery. He expressed hope for her rehabilitation while noting the impact her absence would have on the Swedish squad's ambitions in the ongoing tournament.

Lagerquist's premature exit represents a major blow to Sweden's World Championship campaign, diminishing defensive strength and leaving the team to adapt without one of its key players during crucial upcoming matches.