Sweden Women's Handball Team Faces Uphill Battle After Heavy Defeat at 2025 World Championship

The Swedish women's handball team confronts a challenging path to the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Championship following a substantial 39-26 loss to Norway. The defeat marks a critical setback in their historic quest for their first-ever World Championship medal, intensifying pressure on the team as they face tough upcoming matches.

In their match against Norway, Sweden fell behind early with a halftime deficit of 24-11, leading to concerns about the team's overall performance. Sweden's coach Tomas Axnér expressed frustration, noting, "We are not out yet, even if I seem to be on some funeral tour here in the press," underscoring the difficulty ahead. Player Linn Blohm was vocal about the team's struggles, describing the game as "Embarrassing. Incredibly bad. We can't even pass the ball, and then you can't win matches."

Sweden's chances of advancing hinge on winning their remaining games against South Korea and Angola. Additionally, several conditions must be met: Norway needs to continue winning all their matches, and Angola must defeat Brazil. If Sweden, Brazil, and Angola end up tied in points, goal difference will determine who progresses.

Compounding these challenges are significant player availability issues. Anna Lagerquist is sidelined due to injury, and Elin Hansson remains unfit to play after falling ill before the match against Brazil. These absences have weakened Sweden's lineup during a critical phase of the tournament.

The Swedish squad's next match against Norway, held in Dortmund, was pivotal to keeping quarterfinal hopes alive following a surprising defeat to Brazil. The outcome against Norway has considerably complicated their prospects, but the team still retains a slim chance to advance if remaining results go their way.

As the championship progresses, Sweden must navigate these difficulties with strong performances and a bit of fortune to secure a milestone achievement in their national handball history.