Sweden Announces National Handball Team Roster with Young Debutants for 2026 European Championship

Sweden has unveiled its 18-player roster for the upcoming 2026 European Handball Championship (EM), set to commence in January and co-hosted by Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Under head coach Michael Apelgren, the team notably features two young debutants—19-year-old Nikola Roganovic from Malmö and Axel Månsson from IFK Kristianstad—who are stepping up following Sweden’s disappointing World Championship earlier this year.

In addition to the new talents, veteran Jerry Tollbring makes a comeback after a five-year absence since the 2020 EM, filling in for the injured Lucas Pellas. Apelgren emphasized a performance-based selection, particularly in goalkeeping positions where he picked Mikael Appelgren (Veszprem), Andreas Palicka (Kolstad), and Fabian Norsten (Ålborg), leaving out longtime national team goalkeeper Tobias Thulin despite his four years of service and presence at Apelgren’s club team.

The squad’s composition spans several top European clubs, with players such as Jonathan Carlsbogård (FC Barcelona), Sebastian Karlsson (Paris Saint-Germain), and Jim Gottfridsson (Pick Szeged) included alongside emerging talents. Positioned in various roles, the team lists players across left wing, left back, center back, right back, and goalkeeper slots, underscoring a balanced mix of experience and youth.

Preparations for the tournament include two friendly matches against Brazil scheduled for early January, leading up to Sweden’s EM opener against the Netherlands on January 17, to be played at Malmö Arena. The European Championship runs from January 15 to February 1, with finals in Herning, Denmark.

Both Roganovic and Månsson have expressed excitement about their selections, especially with the tournament being held on home soil. Roganovic stated, "It’s a great honor to represent my country at home. I’m looking forward to it," and although anticipating a supporting role, he is determined to contribute energy and impact during the championship.

Apelgren pointed out that the team aims to compete for a medal despite no formal objective meeting having taken place yet. His principle in selection remains clear: "We have simply selected those who have performed best," reflecting Sweden's ambition to field its strongest squad in this prestigious home event.