Sweden Dominates Greece in Strong Start to 2026 EM Handball Qualification

Sweden's men's handball team launched their 2026 European Championship qualification campaign with a commanding 33-24 victory over Greece on November 5 at Vida Arena in Växjö. This win marks a confident beginning as Sweden faces the challenge of qualifying for the European Championship for the first time since 2021, with the tournament scheduled in Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland.

The match was tightly contested in the first half, with Sweden leading only 18-13 at halftime, but they surged ahead decisively in the second half. Albin Lagergren was the standout for Sweden, netting seven goals and earning the player of the match honors. Sebastian Karlsson also made a significant impact by scoring five goals and emphasized the importance of securing a victory in his first qualification match.

In the absence of veteran goalkeeper Andreas Palicka, who retired from the national team, Max Darj took on the captaincy role. Goalkeeper Mikael Appelgren played a crucial role, delivering multiple key saves and expressing renewed confidence: "I have found my calm again after some years away and worked on my mental game to remember I can save the ball."

Head coach Michael Apelgren plans to rotate players for the upcoming away match against Luxembourg on Sunday. Debutants Arvid Andreasson, Alfred Arnelin, and Erik Persson are expected to make their first appearances for the national team. Apelgren highlighted the importance of nurturing talent from the league team, stating they aim to "bring more players through" to strengthen the national squad.

Looking ahead, Sweden's next opponent, Luxembourg, recently suffered a heavy 23-41 defeat to North Macedonia, presenting Sweden with a favorable matchup in the next qualifier.

With a strong team performance and promising integration of new talent, Sweden's handball team appears well-positioned for the challenges of the EM qualification journey ahead.