Sweden Prepares for a Thrilling Home Opener Against the Netherlands in European Handball Championship 2024

Sweden is set to kick off their campaign in the 2024 European Handball Championship with a highly anticipated match against the Netherlands at the sold-out Malmö Arena on January 17, 2024. The home crowd will pack the arena with about 11,500 spectators to support the Swedish team in their opening game starting at 20:30, broadcast live on Viaplay.

The Swedish squad, led by head coach Michael Apelgren, brings a mix of experienced players such as goalkeeper Andreas Palicka and playmaker Jim Gottfridsson, along with promising young talents Nikola Roganovic, Axel Månsson, and Felix Montebovi, who could make their championship debuts. This adds an exciting dynamic to the team as they aim to build on their past success against the Netherlands.

Their opponents will be coached by Staffan Olsson, a notable figure in Swedish handball history with a highly decorated career including two world titles and four European championships. Interestingly, Daniel Larsson, Sweden’s goalkeeping coach, also serves as the goalkeeping coach for the Dutch women's national team, highlighting close coaching ties between the countries.

This matchup is part of the European Championship group stage, following Sweden’s narrow 29-28 victory over the Netherlands in their last European Championship encounter two years ago. Historically, Sweden leads the head-to-head record with 10 wins out of 12 matches against the Dutch team.

The opening match is one of six key games taking place on a busy Saturday, with other notable fixtures including Croatia vs. Georgia and France vs. Ukraine, all available on Viaplay platforms. The Swedish team carries strong expectations as they look to harness home advantage and maintain their unbeaten streak against the Netherlands in the tournament.

With a sold-out arena and the stakes high, fans eagerly anticipate Sweden’s first formal performance on home soil during this major championship.