Sweden Dominates Croatia to Top Group at EM 2026 Handball Championship

Sweden secured a commanding victory over Croatia with a 33-25 scoreline in their final group match at the 2026 European Handball Championship, affirming their position as group winners and remaining undefeated in the tournament. The match, held at Malmö Arena, started cautiously, with only two goals scored in the opening six minutes by Sweden. However, as the game progressed, Sweden gained decisive control, leading 17-13 at halftime and extending their advantage in the second half.

Goalkeeper Andreas Palicka expressed astonishment at the result, stating, "It is really incredible that we win by eight goals against the world number two." Palicka, together with Mikael "Äpplet" Appelgren, earned praise for their excellent performances, including critical saves and penalties that helped keep Croatia at bay. Key players Felix Claar and 19-year-old Nikola Roganovic were instrumental in Sweden’s offensive effort, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Eric Johansson reflected on the match positively, saying, "The feeling is very, very good. We are very satisfied with how today's match turned out."

The victory not only secured Sweden the top spot in their group but also enabled them to carry important points into the main round. The Swedish team’s next fixtures include challenging matches against Slovenia on Friday, Iceland on Sunday, Hungary on Tuesday, and Switzerland on Wednesday. Frustration was evident from the Croatian side during the second half, with players disputing referee decisions as Sweden maintained their dominance.

This win underlines Sweden’s strong tournament form and sets an optimistic tone as they prepare for the main round encounters ahead.