Sweden Secures Group Win with Strategic Dominance in Handball EM 2026

Sweden's men's handball team has asserted its dominance in the 2026 European Handball Championship (EM), securing a convincing group victory with a strong showing against Croatia and earlier wins over the Netherlands and Georgia. Their latest triumph was a commanding 33-25 victory over Croatia, a team that reached the finals of last year's World Cup. This result underscored Sweden's top position in the group, propelling them into the main round of the competition where they will next face Slovenia.

Head coach Michael Apelgren employed an unusual but effective tactic by refusing to call any timeouts during the match against Croatia. Apelgren explained his strategy, saying, "I wanted them to not have a chance to breathe," highlighting his intent to maintain relentless pressure. Instead of interruptions, Sweden kept the tempo high through continuous player substitutions, a move that successfully overwhelmed the Croatian team. Apelgren emphasized the critical role of goal difference, stating, "Goal difference is mega important; we might benefit from these plus goals in the next round."

Goalkeeper Andreas Palicka was pivotal in the victory, delivering a standout performance in the second half after substituting Mikael Appelgren. Palicka expressed the team’s positive spirit and confidence in their gameplay, remarking, "We have found joy in the game. Today we were even better than before."

With the group phase complete, Sweden looks ahead to the main round where they will take on Slovenia, Iceland, Hungary, and Switzerland. The top two teams from this stage will advance to the semifinals scheduled for January 30, with the final set for January 31. The EM tournament is hosted across Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, with Sweden playing key matches in Malmö. Fans can follow the games on the Viaplay paid streaming service.

Sweden’s performance highlights their strategic preparation and the collective strength of their squad, positioning them as strong contenders as the European Championship progresses.