Sweden’s Handball Team Faces Criticism and Reflection after EM 2026 Setback

Sweden’s national handball team failed to advance to the semifinals at the 2026 European Championship, triggering disappointment within the team and sparking debate about the coaching setup. The team’s performance concluded with a victory against Switzerland, where goalkeeper Andreas Palicka made 20 saves, but they settled for a match to determine fifth place against Portugal instead of competing for medals.

Veteran player Jim Gottfridsson bluntly described the outcome as "a failure," expressing that the team should have progressed further. He observed that Sweden lacked defensive solidity and became overly individualistic in their approach, particularly in critical matches against Iceland and Hungary. Palicka echoed this sentiment, pointing out the absence of defensive confidence and missed opportunities that cost them crucial points necessary for a semifinal berth.

The head coach Michael Apelgren, who simultaneously manages the Hungarian club Pick Szeged, faced scrutiny over his dual roles. Apelgren acknowledged his disappointment with the team’s results but firmly rejected that his concurrent coaching duties were the root cause of the failures. He stressed that the preparations were thorough and highlighted that only Slovenia and Portugal, besides Sweden, had coaches holding dual roles at the tournament. Apelgren’s contract extends until 2028, and he upholds confidence in his coaching methods.

However, expert commentator Johanna Ahlm criticized the dual-role coaching arrangement, suggesting that a full-time national coach would be better positioned to provide consistent oversight and perspective. This viewpoint aligns with experiences from neighboring Norway, where such dual roles would be unacceptable, as noted in discussions with former player Stine Oftedal.

Moving forward, the Swedish team aims to conclude the championship on a positive note with the upcoming fifth-place match against Portugal, while reflecting on the defensive challenges and team cohesion issues that hampered their tournament ambitions.