Sweden Triumphs Over Georgia to Secure Main Round Spot in 2026 Handball EM

Sweden continued their strong performance in the 2026 European Handball Championship with a convincing 38-29 victory over Georgia, securing advancement to the main round ahead of their critical group match against Croatia. Despite trailing early in the match, Sweden regrouped after a timeout and led 20-15 at halftime, fueled by key contributions from players like Felix Claar and goalkeeper Andreas Palicka.

The match started challenging for Sweden, as Georgia briefly led 9-8. However, after Michael Apelgren's timely timeout, Sweden regained control largely due to Claar’s early dominance; he scored four of the first five goals and finished with a total of five goals, showcasing his calm yet effective playing style. The team’s defense initially struggled but improved significantly in the first half. Palicka, 39, came on in the second half and was pivotal, making crucial saves, including one later confirmed by referees through video review that prevented a Georgian goal. His leadership and form earned enthusiastic praise from coach Apelgren, who highlighted the psychological boost his performances gave the team.

Nikola Roganovic also impressed, scoring six goals and earning commendation for his spirited play. Despite a second-half rally from Georgia narrowing the gap, Sweden pulled clear to close out the game strongly.

Captaining Sweden, Jim Gottfridsson expressed satisfaction with the win but noted the team could have expanded their lead, citing moments of sloppiness. The victory means Sweden has advanced before facing Croatia in a decisive group stage match on Wednesday, a game both teams regard as a “group final” important for securing key points in the tournament.

The Swedish squad, strengthened by both experienced players like Palicka and impactful newcomers such as Felix Montebovi, who scored his first championship goal before nearly 10,000 fans, now focus on refining their defense and shooting accuracy to tackle the physically demanding Croatian team.

The victory against Georgia represents a solid step forward for the host nation as they seek to build momentum in the European Championship.