Sweden’s Handball Team Faces Major Setbacks in 2026 European Championship

The Sweden men's national handball team is grappling with significant challenges during the 2026 European Championship, marked by defensive frailties and a critical need to secure upcoming victories to advance further. A recent 32-32 draw against Hungary at Malmö Arena exposed glaring weaknesses, with Sweden conceding too many goals and missing crucial winning opportunities.

In the match against Hungary, Sweden was trailing 16-14 at halftime for the third consecutive game, largely due to the dominance of Hungarian player Miklós Rosta, who scored five goals and operated effectively at the six-meter line. Experts like Martin Frändesjö and Isabelle Gulldén criticized Sweden’s defense, especially its failure to contain Rosta’s threat, describing the situation as a "julafton" for the Hungarian star. Felix Claar, a standout performer in attack, expressed frustration over both offensive errors and defensive lapses, admitting, “We are letting in too many goals.”

Defensive woes have been a recurring theme for Sweden throughout the tournament, with the team conceding over 30 goals in four of their six matches. According to analysis by expert Magnus Wislander, the team’s defensive strategy, which allows opponents to take more shots from distance, has backfired, and the goalkeepers, including Andreas Palicka, have struggled to compensate. Palicka himself lamented a missed crucial shot in the dying seconds of the Hungary game, calling the result "very bitter." Teammate Jim Gottfridsson described the draw as feeling like a loss, emphasizing the urgency for victory.

Sweden’s path to the semifinals is precarious, hinging on a must-win game against Switzerland, alongside favourable outcomes from matches involving Croatia and Iceland. Felix Claar highlighted this dependence on external results, reinforcing the pressure on the team to deliver in their upcoming fixtures. Coach Michael Apelgren's decision to involve defense expert Tobias Karlsson has been hampered by Karlsson's absence due to illness, further complicating efforts to shore up Sweden’s defense.

Once considered a strong contender with robust momentum, Sweden now faces an uphill battle as they attempt to rescue their championship dreams amid critical defensive struggles and inconsistent performances. The upcoming match against Switzerland at Malmö arena is pivotal and could determine whether their campaign continues or ends in disappointment.