Sweden’s Handball Team Faces Criticism Following Sixth-Place Finish at EM 2026

Sweden's men's handball team concluded the EM 2026 tournament with a narrow 36-35 loss to Portugal, securing a disappointing sixth place. The match, tightly contested with a halftime score tied at 16-16, saw Portugal clinch victory in the final seconds, a result that left Sweden and its supporters bitterly disappointed. Veteran goalkeeper Andreas Palicka announced his retirement from the national team during this last game, marking the end of an era. Another keeper, Mikael Appelgren, expressed his disappointment, noting the sting of losing in Palicka’s final match.

Expert analysis from Magnus Grahn criticized the team's overall performance as a failure and called for a generational shift within the squad. Grahn highlighted the need for younger players like 19-year-old Nikola Roganović, who entered the tournament with confidence but saw limited playtime. He also indicated that several countries, including Spain, have moved ahead in team development, emphasizing that Sweden must rejuvenate to remain competitive. Despite the setback, Sweden has already qualified for the 2027 World Championship, with the qualifiers for the 2028 European Championship slated for next autumn.

The team's journey underscores a critical crossroads: embracing new talent and rethinking squad dynamics will be essential as Sweden prepares for future international challenges.